Newness (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Newness is set in contemporary Los Angeles, where the city's sprawling urban landscape and vibrant entertainment scene provide the backdrop for the story. The movie uses various local spots throughout the city to highlight its blend of dreams and realities, with the iconic skyline featuring prominently as the sun sets.

• los angeles
• setting
• location
• city
• backdrop

Newness takes place in the contemporary era, specifically examining the impact of digital dating on personal relationships. The story captures how modern technology, particularly dating apps like the fictional WINX app, has transformed how people connect and pursue romantic relationships.

• contemporary
• modern
• digital age
• dating apps
• era

Martin Hallock, played by Nicholas Hoult, is a recently divorced pharmacist navigating modern relationships in Los Angeles. He carries the emotional burden of unresolved feelings for his past partner, his mother's dementia, and struggles to find genuine connection while caught between his past and present.

• martin hallock
• nicholas hoult
• character
• divorced
• pharmacist

Gabi Silva, played by Laia Costa, is a spirited physical therapy assistant from Spain who is exploring new relationships in Los Angeles. She represents the immigrant experience in the city while navigating her feelings for both Martin and Larry, facing challenges of desire, fidelity, and personal growth.

• gabi silva
• laia costa
• character
• spanish
• physical therapy assistant

Newness explores three interconnected themes: Love & Heartache, which examines the painful realities of modern romance and the tension between desire and fidelity; Reconnection, focusing on how characters return to previous relationships seeking closure; and Self-Discovery, particularly through Gabi's journey of redefining her sense of belonging and identity.

• themes
• love
• heartache
• reconnection
• self-discovery
• meaning

Newness examines the world of online dating through the WINX app, prioritizing instant connections over lasting relationships. The movie questions whether digital-age relationships represent genuine love or merely fleeting infatuation, highlighting the complexities introduced by modern social interactions and dating technology.

• modern dating
• dating apps
• online dating
• technology
• relationships
• infatuation

Larry Bejerano, played by Danny Huston, is a charismatic figure who enters Gabi's life offering wealth and adventure. He represents the tension between material comfort and genuine connection, complicating Gabi's emotions and forcing her to confront her own desires while highlighting the challenges of choosing between different types of love.

• larry
• danny huston
• character
• wealth
• adventure
• rival love interest

Bethany, played by Pom Klementieff, is Martin's previous partner whose complicated past influences Martin's present. Her presence evokes unresolved emotions and represents the theme of closure in Martin's life, embodying the lingering shadows of lost love as Martin tries to move forward with Gabi.

• bethany
• pom klementieff
• character
• ex-wife
• past relationship
• closure

Newness intricately explores love interwoven with heartache, showing how Martin and Gabi's bond deepens only to be complicated by past connections and emotional turmoil. The tension between desire and fidelity highlights the painful realities of modern romance, suggesting that true connection requires confronting one's past.

• love
• heartache
• pain
• fidelity
• desire
• modern romance

Reconnection serves as a pivotal theme in Newness, as both Martin and Gabi find themselves drawn back to previous relationships while navigating their feelings for each other. Their initial meeting sparks a connection that leads them to examine unresolved issues from their pasts, emphasizing the cyclical nature of relationships and the quest for closure.

• reconnection
• closure
• past relationships
• cycle
• unresolved issues

Gabi's story becomes one of self-discovery as she embarks on a journey with Larry to explore Europe, reconnecting with her Spanish roots. This experience challenges her to redefine her sense of belonging and love, illustrating how personal growth often occurs amid emotional entanglements and the search for identity.

• gabi
• self-discovery
• europe
• roots
• identity
• personal growth
• journey

Los Angeles serves as more than just a backdrop in Newness, the city's diverse culture shapes the characters' journey through connections facilitated by modern technology. The setting reflects the modern dating landscape where people seek instant connections, while the city's blend of dreams and realities mirrors the characters' search for authentic relationships.

• los angeles
• city influence
• culture
• dreams
• technology
• modern dating landscape