Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Miss Sloane (2016) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Miss Sloane (2016) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2016 · 132 min · English
JustWatch #2,305 4
Directed by
John Madden
Starring
Michael Stuhlbarg, Mark Strong, John Lithgow, Jessica Chastain, Gugu Mbatha-Raw

A brilliant and ruthless political consultant, Elizabeth Sloane, thrives in the competitive world of Washington, D.C. Known for her unmatched skill and winning record, she takes on her most challenging case yet, battling a powerful opponent. As she fights for victory, she is forced to examine the personal sacrifices required for success and the potential cost to her own values.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Miss Sloane
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Miss Sloane (2016)

Where can you watch Miss Sloane? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on HBO Max, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

5 main characters · contains spoilers

Miss Sloane Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Miss Sloane (2016), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Elizabeth Sloane (Jessica Chastain)

    Elizabeth Sloane is a fierce and determined lobbyist who embodies the complexities of modern political battles. Throughout the film, she showcases both cunning intelligence and a deep commitment to her beliefs, particularly regarding gun control. Her character reveals an intricate balance between professional ambition and personal integrity.

    • 👩‍⚖️ Lobbyist
    • ⚔️ Strong-willed
  • Rodolfo Schmidt (Mark Strong)

    Rodolfo Schmidt is a charismatic lobbyist who becomes a pivotal figure in Elizabeth's career journey. His firm offers Elizabeth the chance to realign her focus on critical issues, but his motivations and methods often challenge her principles, illustrating the complexities of their relationship in the competitive field of lobbying.

    • 🎩 Charismatic
    • 🤝 Allegiance
  • Pat Connors (Michael Stuhlbarg)

    Pat Connors is a loyal team member who grapples with his allegiance to the Gun Lobby versus his loyalty to Elizabeth. His struggle reflects the broader conflicts within lobbying groups and the personal toll of political machinations on individual convictions.

    • 🤔 Loyal
    • 💔 Conflict
  • George Dupont (Sam Waterson)

    George Dupont is the owner of Elizabeth's firm, representing the institutional pressure within lobbying environments. His character serves as a reminder of the moral compromises often present in high-stakes political advocacy.

    • 🏢 Authority
    • 💼 Corporate Interests
  • Congressperson (John Lithgow)

    The Congressperson challenges Elizabeth in court, embodying the complex interplay between politics and public perception. His character underlines the scrutiny faced by lobbyists and the personal attacks that often accompany legislative battles.

    • 🏛️ Political Opposition
    • ⚔️ Adversarial

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:00

Was this helpful?

Setting

Where and When Does Miss Sloane Take Place?

The setting of Miss Sloane (2016): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Present day, with flashbacks to seven months prior

The narrative juxtaposes present-day court proceedings with events that transpired seven months earlier, depicting the evolving political landscape in which lobbying and legislation unfold. This period is marked by intense scrutiny of political figures and reveals the complexities of modern lobbying efforts.

Location

Washington, D.C., Indonesia

The movie primarily takes place in Washington, D.C., the heart of American politics and home to Congress, where key legislative issues are debated. It contrasts this with Indonesia, where the effects of proposed U.S. legislation, particularly concerning palm oil, are felt significantly among its citizens.

  • 🏛️ Government
  • 🌏 Global Issues

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:00

Was this helpful?

3 major themes

Miss Sloane Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Miss Sloane (2016) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Justice

    Justice is a central theme as Elizabeth Sloane navigates the morally ambiguous world of lobbying and fights for gun control legislation. Her journey highlights the struggle to confront ethical dilemmas while pushing for policy changes that could save lives, revealing the personal sacrifices made along the way.

  • Manipulation

    Manipulation is intricately woven into the fabric of the film, with Elizabeth skillfully maneuvering through the political system. The film explores how perception is shaped in politics, from media strategies to personal narratives, demonstrating the darker side of advocacy.

  • Sacrifice

    Sacrifice plays a significant role in Elizabeth's story, as she contemplates the impact of her career on her personal life and relationships. Her relentless pursuit of what she believes is right often leads to emotional strain and loss, portraying the cost of ambition in a high-stakes environment.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:00

Was this helpful?

Character & theme questions

Miss Sloane Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Miss Sloane (2016): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Miss Sloane set?

The movie is primarily set in Washington, D.C., the center of American politics where lobbying and legislation take place. It also contrasts this with Indonesia, showing how proposed U.S. legislation on palm oil affects citizens there.

  • washington dc
  • setting
  • lobbying
  • indonesia
  • politics
Q2

When does Miss Sloane take place?

The story is set in the present day, though it uses flashbacks to events from seven months earlier to reveal how the political maneuvering unfolded.

  • present day
  • time period
  • flashbacks
  • 2016
Q3

What are the main themes of Miss Sloane?

The film explores three major themes: justice, as Elizabeth fights for gun control legislation; manipulation, showing how perception is shaped in politics through media strategies and personal narratives; and sacrifice, depicting the personal cost of ambition in high-stakes lobbying.

  • themes
  • justice
  • manipulation
  • sacrifice
  • gun control
Q4

Who is Elizabeth Sloane?

Elizabeth Sloane is a brilliant and ruthless political lobbyist in Washington, D.C., known for her unmatched skill and winning record. She takes on challenging cases, particularly advocating for gun control legislation, while balancing professional ambition with personal integrity.

  • elizabeth sloane
  • lobbyist
  • jessica chastain
  • protagonist
Q5

What is Miss Sloane about regarding gun control?

The movie centers on Elizabeth Sloane's campaign for gun control legislation. She battles powerful opponents in the lobbying world, using her skills to push for policy changes that could save lives while navigating the morally ambiguous world of political advocacy.

  • gun control
  • lobbying
  • legislation
  • policy
Q6

How does Miss Sloane portray the lobbying world?

The film depicts Washington, D.C. as a competitive arena where powerful lobbying firms shape legislation. It shows the intense scrutiny of political figures, the strategic maneuvering between competing interests, and the personal attacks that accompany legislative battles.

  • lobbying
  • washington dc
  • political consultants
  • campaigns
Q7

Who is Rodolfo Schmidt in Miss Sloane?

Rodolfo Schmidt is a charismatic lobbyist who brings Elizabeth into his firm, offering her a chance to focus on critical issues like gun control. His motivations and methods often challenge her principles, creating complex professional and personal tensions.

  • rodolfo schmidt
  • mark strong
  • lobbyist
  • antagonist
Q8

What does Miss Sloane say about sacrifice?

The film portrays sacrifice as the cost of ambition in high-stakes politics. Elizabeth's relentless pursuit of what she believes is right leads to emotional strain, damaged relationships, and personal loss, showing how professional success can demand profound personal sacrifices.

  • sacrifice
  • ambition
  • personal cost
  • relationships
Q9

How does Miss Sloane explore manipulation?

The movie examines manipulation as a central tool in politics, showing how Elizabeth and other lobbyists shape public perception through media strategies, personal narratives, and strategic deception. It reveals the darker side of advocacy where winning often requires psychological manipulation.

  • manipulation
  • politics
  • perception
  • deception
  • strategy
Q10

How is Miss Sloane structured with flashbacks?

Miss Sloane uses a non-linear narrative that jumps between present-day congressional hearings and events from seven months earlier. This structure reveals the complex political machinations, strategic plays, and reveals twists involving blackmail and betrayal as the full picture emerges.

  • flashbacks
  • structure
  • narrative
  • non-linear
  • hearing
Q11

What role does the congressional hearing play in Miss Sloane?

The present-day congressional hearing serves as the dramatic framework for the film, where Elizabeth faces scrutiny from a Congressperson who challenges her in court. It represents the ultimate confrontation between political power and the individuals who wield it.

  • congressional hearing
  • courtroom
  • congressperson
  • john lithgow
  • legal

Movie threads

More Movies Like Miss Sloane, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Miss Sloane tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about ruthless strategists like Miss Sloane

Stories of brilliant minds playing high-risk games where winning costs a piece of their soul. If you enjoyed the cunning political maneuvering in Miss Sloane, explore these films about brilliant minds engaged in high-stakes games of strategy. This list features similar stories of power, manipulation, and professional sacrifice in competitive worlds, where victory often comes with a heavy personal price.

  • cunning
  • strategic
  • high-stakes
  • ruthless
  • tense
  • calculated
  • Tone: tense, cynical
  • Pacing: fast, strategic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread typically follow a master strategist as they take on a formidable opponent, employing a series of complex, calculated moves. The plot is driven by twists, betrayals, and escalating risks, building towards a climax where the protagonist must confront the consequences of their ruthless methods, often resulting in a bittersweet or pyrrhic victory.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share a core focus on intellectual prowess, high-tension strategic conflict, and themes of moral ambiguity. They deliver a similar viewing experience of being engrossed in a complex, fast-moving game where the protagonist's brilliance is both their greatest asset and their tragic flaw.

Complex procedural thrillers with endings like Miss Sloane

Intricate, fast-paced dramas where a professional victory is tempered by personal loss. For viewers who appreciated the intricate plot and bittersweet ending of Miss Sloane, this collection features similar complex procedural thrillers. These films combine fast-paced, high-stakes narratives with emotionally heavy themes, culminating in resolutions where success is achieved but at a profound personal cost.

  • tense
  • complex
  • high-stakes
  • anxious
  • procedural
  • bittersweet
  • Tone: tense, heavy
  • Pacing: fast, intricate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These films often use a non-linear or multi-threaded structure to detail a complex professional process, such as a legal case, political campaign, or corporate takeover. The journey is marked by intense pressure, ethical dilemmas, and strategic maneuvering, leading to an ending where the goal is technically met, but the protagonist's personal world is irrevocably changed or damaged.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a specific combination of narrative elements: a complex, fast-paced plot focused on a high-stakes professional domain, a tense and heavy emotional tone, and a concluding feeling that is ultimately bittersweet. They satisfy a desire for intellectual engagement while leaving a lasting emotional impact.

If you liked this

Movies Like Miss Sloane

Similar movies to Miss Sloane: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Miss Sloane (2016) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Miss Sloane in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app