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Old Dads (2023) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Old Dads (2023) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2023 · 1 h 44 m · English
Echo score 45
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Starring
Bruce Dern, Bokeem Woodbine, Bobby Cannavale, Josh Brener, Bill Burr, Miles Robbins

Three middle-aged friends find their lives unexpectedly changed when they all become first-time fathers. Suddenly facing the challenges of raising young children, they struggle to adapt to a world of feisty preschoolers and demanding corporate bosses. These men grapple with the absurdities of modern parenting while desperately trying to maintain their sense of self and a semblance of their former coolness.

On this page (9)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Character relationship map
  4. 4 Where & when it takes place
  5. 5 Themes & meaning (3)
  6. 6 Character & meaning questions
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Movies like Old Dads
  9. 9 Every angle
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3 main characters · contains spoilers

Old Dads Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Old Dads (2023), 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.

  • Jack Kelly

    played by Bill Burr

    Jack Kelly is a middle-aged father struggling with anger management and the pressures of modern parenthood. His explosive outbursts often complicate his relationships, particularly with his wife Leah, as he attempts to secure his son's admission to kindergarten. Jack's journey reflects a transformative realization about responsibility and the value of self-improvement.

    • 👨‍👦 Fatherhood
    • 😡 Anger Management
    • 👨‍💼 Professional
  • Connor Brody

    played by Bobby Cannavale

    Connor Brody is a dedicated friend and father who finds himself entangled in familial pressures and the expectations of contemporary parenting. His efforts to guide his son Colin and his relationship dynamic with his wife Cara reveal the struggle many face in keeping up with modern values while instilling discipline. Throughout the film, Connor learns to navigate these complexities with a sense of humor and heart.

    • 👨‍👦 Parenting
    • 💔 Relationship Struggles
    • 🎭 Comedy
  • Mike Richards

    played by Bokeem Woodbine

    Mike Richards is a recently single father with two adult sons, navigating unexpected life changes after learning about his girlfriend Britney's pregnancy. His comedic yet reflective nature often brings levity to serious situations, embodying the essence of friendship and support among the trio. Mike's journey emphasizes acceptance and the twists of parenthood.

    • 🤷‍♂️ Unexpected Fatherhood
    • 😂 Humor
    • 👥 Friendship

Last updated: October 21, 2026 at 17:23

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5 characters · 4 connections · contains spoilers

Old Dads Character Relationship Map

Who is connected to whom in Old Dads: family, love, friendships, rivalries and hidden ties, colour-coded. Pick a character to see their side of the story, or a connection to see what brings two characters together.

How much of the story to show
JKJack KellyBill BurrCBConnor BrodyBobby CannavaleLLeahCColinAAspen

Last updated: October 21, 2026 at 17:23

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Setting

Where and When Does Old Dads Take Place?

The setting of Old Dads (2023): 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

Modern Day

The events unfold in contemporary times, highlighting the struggles of middle-aged men adapting to a rapidly changing world. Issues such as generational conflict, workplace culture shifts, and evolving family dynamics are prevalent. This modern landscape reflects the societal expectations and pressures that come with parenting and friendship in one's 50s.

Location

Trifecta, Local Preschool, Diner, Strip Club, Hospital

The movie primarily takes place in various locations such as Trifecta, the workplace that embodies the challenges of modern corporate culture. The local preschool serves as a significant setting for the personal dilemmas faced by Jack and the navigational struggles of parenthood. Key scenes unfold in a diner, where jack and Mike reconcile over deep conversations, and a strip club where the trio experiences the escapades of life. Lastly, the hospital represents a culmination of life events, marking both tension and triumph.

  • 🏢 Workplace
  • 🏫 Education
  • 🍽️ Dining
  • 🎉 Entertainment
  • 🏥 Healthcare

Last updated: October 21, 2026 at 17:23

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3 major themes

Old Dads Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Old Dads (2023) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Fatherhood

    Fatherhood is a central theme in the film, focusing on the trials and tribulations of being a parent in today's society. Jack, Connor, and Mike each face unique challenges that test their relationships with their children, navigating the complex terrain of discipline and understanding. The theme is explored through their interactions, misunderstandings, and moments of growth, revealing the evolving nature of fatherhood.

  • Generational Conflict

    The film delves into generational conflict, particularly how older employees grapple with the values and expectations of younger colleagues. The trio's struggle to adapt to the new workplace culture and the perspectives of millennials highlights a rift that resonates widely in modern workplaces, emphasizing the need for understanding across generational lines.

  • Relationships

    Complex relationships among friends, spouses, and parents are intricately portrayed, showcasing the challenges of maintaining connections amidst life’s pressures. Jack's turmoil with Leah and Connor's tension with Cara illustrate the difficulty of balancing personal aspirations with family duties. The resolution and growth in their relationships come through humor and shared experiences, marking the importance of communication and empathy.

Last updated: October 21, 2026 at 17:23

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Character & theme questions

Old Dads Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Old Dads (2023): 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 does Old Dads take place?

The movie is set in contemporary times, primarily in various locations including Trifecta (the characters' corporate workplace), a local preschool, a diner, a strip club, and a hospital. These settings represent both the professional challenges and personal milestones the characters navigate throughout the film.

  • setting
  • locations
  • Trifecta
  • workplace
  • preschool
Q2

What time period is Old Dads set in?

Old Dads takes place in modern day, reflecting contemporary issues like generational conflict in the workplace, evolving parenting norms, and the challenges of navigating a rapidly changing world as a middle-aged adult.

  • modern day
  • contemporary
  • time period
  • 2020s
Q3

What is Trifecta in Old Dads?

Trifecta is the corporate workplace where Jack, Connor, and Mike work. It represents the challenges of modern corporate culture and serves as a key setting where the characters face generational tensions with younger colleagues.

  • Trifecta
  • workplace
  • office
  • corporate
Q4

What are the main themes of Old Dads?

The film explores three major themes: fatherhood (the challenges of raising children in today's world), generational conflict (older employees adapting to younger workplace culture), and relationships (maintaining friendships and marriages amid life's pressures).

  • themes
  • fatherhood
  • generational conflict
  • relationships
Q5

What does Old Dads say about fatherhood?

Old Dads explores fatherhood as a transformative journey where middle-aged men must adapt to the responsibilities and challenges of parenting preschoolers while trying to maintain their sense of identity. Each character faces unique challenges that test their relationships with their children.

  • fatherhood
  • parenting
  • dads
  • children
Q6

How does Old Dads depict generational conflict?

The film shows how older employees like the trio struggle to adapt to workplace culture shifts and the perspectives of younger colleagues. This generational rift is a central source of tension and humor, highlighting the need for understanding across age groups.

  • generational conflict
  • workplace
  • millennials
  • older workers
Q7

Who are the main characters in Old Dads?

The three main characters are Jack Kelly (played by Bill Burr), Connor Brody (played by Bobby Cannavale), and Mike Richards (played by Bokeem Woodbine). Each character becomes a first-time father and navigates the challenges of modern parenthood while maintaining their friendship.

  • characters
  • Jack Kelly
  • Connor Brody
  • Mike Richards
  • Bill Burr
  • Bobby Cannavale
  • Bokeem Woodbine
Q8

Who plays Jack in Old Dads?

Jack Kelly is played by Bill Burr. Jack is a middle-aged father struggling with anger management issues while navigating the challenges of modern parenthood and trying to secure his son's kindergarten admission.

  • Jack Kelly
  • Bill Burr
  • actor
Q9

Who plays Mike in Old Dads?

Mike Richards is played by Bokeem Woodbine. Mike is a recently single father with two adult sons who learns about his girlfriend Britney's pregnancy, forcing him to adapt to unexpected parenthood later in life.

  • Mike Richards
  • Bokeem Woodbine
  • actor
Q10

What kind of movie is Old Dads?

Old Dads is a comedy film from 2023 that explores the challenges of middle-aged men becoming first-time fathers. The tone is light and humorous, though it addresses serious topics like job loss and marital strain through comedic relief.

  • comedy
  • 2023
  • genre
  • tone

Movie threads

More Movies Like Old Dads, by Mood & Story

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

Generational Comedy Movies Like Old Dads

Comedic stories about older generations clashing with modern culture. If you liked the clash of modern culture and midlife frustration in Old Dads, you'll enjoy these movies. This thread gathers comedies where characters grapple with generational gaps, cancel culture, and changing workplace dynamics, all while trying to maintain their sense of self in a world that seems to have left them behind.

  • comedic
  • generational-clash
  • satirical
  • frustrated
  • relatable
  • redemptive
  • Tone: light, comedic, satirical
  • Pacing: variable, situational
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow a group or individual as they confront the absurdities of a world that has evolved without them. The conflict arises from a cultural disconnect, leading to a series of comedic missteps. The journey involves learning to adapt while also questioning whether some old-school values are worth preserving, often culminating in a humorous reconciliation.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread are grouped by their shared focus on the comedy inherent in cultural and generational divides. They share a light tone, a satirical edge, and a relatable core of feeling out of place. The pacing is often variable, mixing slapstick moments with more grounded character beats centered on adaptation and growth.

Midlife Crisis Comedies Similar to Old Dads

Stories of middle-aged men finding purpose through unexpected challenges. Fans of Old Dads will appreciate this collection of movies about middle-aged men navigating a crisis. These stories feature relatable characters stumbling through new roles like fatherhood or demanding jobs, using humor to explore themes of friendship, anger management, and the quest to reclaim a sense of coolness and control.

  • midlife-crisis
  • redemptive
  • fatherhood
  • friendship
  • comedic
  • relatable
  • Tone: light, redemptive, relatable
  • Pacing: variable, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves protagonists whose stable, if stagnant, lives are disrupted by a major life event. This forces them to confront their shortcomings, particularly around anger and adaptability. The plot follows their struggle, often aided by a tight-knit group of friends, as they move from resistance to acceptance, culminating in personal growth and a happier, more integrated life.

Why they belong together: This thread connects movies through a specific character arc: the frustrated but ultimately redemptive midlife journey. They share a blend of comedy and light drama, a focus on male friendship as a anchor, and a theme of finding maturity through unexpected parenthood or professional challenges. The tone remains hopeful, and the endings are positive.

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Movies Like Old Dads

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Every angle

Old Dads (2023) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

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

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