Mayday (2021) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie primarily takes place in a hotel along a mystical coastline. After a storm, the story shifts to an unknown shore where Ana and Marsha encounter a beached submarine. This isolated beach setting creates a sense of tension and refuge from external threats.

• hotel
• coastline
• unknown shore
• submarine
• setting

The film takes place during the World War II era. While no explicit year is given, the presence of a World War II aviator and wartime atmosphere establish the time period, shaping the characters' experiences with themes of conflict, survival, and camaraderie.

• world war ii
• era
• time period
• 1940s

Mayday explores three major themes: Survival, as characters navigate dangers and male aggression while seeking safety; Identity, as Ana confronts memory loss and discovers who she truly is; and Morality, as characters face dilemmas about alliances, violence, and their ethical beliefs.

• survival
• identity
• morality
• themes

Ana is the main character, portrayed by Grace Van Patten, who initially works as hotel staff before being drawn into a dangerous hidden world. She struggles with memory loss and undergoes a transformation from a confused newcomer to a resourceful survivor grappling with moral dilemmas and her quest for autonomy.

• ana
• grace van patten
• main character
• protagonist

Marsha, played by Mia Goth, is a confident and assertive character who leads Ana into the hidden world on the island. She embodies the complexities of power and control, serving as both a mentor figure and a representation of the darker aspects of leadership within the group of women.

• marsha
• mia goth
• leader
• mentor

The beached submarine represents both refuge and conflict within the story. It serves as a physical symbol of war and survival, offering the characters a place of shelter while also representing the constant presence of danger and the brutal circumstances they must navigate.

• submarine
• symbol
• refuge
• war

The movie carries a consistently tense tone, underscored by perpetual war, psychological manipulation, and ever-present danger. The setting of an isolated hotel and remote shore amplifies feelings of vulnerability, while the WWII-era context adds historical weight to the story's themes of violence and survival.

• tone
• atmosphere
• tension
• isolation

The women on the island, including Ana, Marsha, Gert, and Bea, form a hidden community waging perpetual conflict. They represent resilience, solidarity, and the struggle against male aggression. Each character embodies different aspects of survival and identity within this dangerous world.

• women
• island
• sirens
• community
• survivors

The movie explores identity through Ana's journey of self-discovery amid memory loss. Her quest to reconcile her past with her present realities symbolizes the broader search for personal authenticity in a world filled with violence and betrayal. The theme emphasizes how circumstances can reshape who we are.

• identity
• self-discovery
• memory loss
• authenticity

Gert, played by Soko, serves as a voice of reason and caution within the group. Bea, also portrayed by Grace Van Patten, embodies the emotional heart, showing vulnerability and loyalty. Max, the cook played by Zlatko Buric, represents survival and longs for peace, bringing grounded humanity to the narrative.

• gert
• bea
• max
• supporting characters
• cook