Onward (2020) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Onward takes place in a modern suburban world called New Mushroomton, where mythical creatures like elves, manticores, and dragons live alongside modern technology. The story also follows the brothers to Raven's Point, a mysterious mountain location, and visits the Manticore's Tavern, a restaurant that was once a legendary adventuring pub.

• new mushroomton
• setting
• fantasy world
• raven's point
• manticore's tavern

Onward is set in a contemporary, modern era where technology coexists with mythical creatures. However, magic has largely faded from everyday life, becoming more legend than reality. The world reflects a balance between modern convenience and forgotten magical heritage.

• contemporary
• modern era
• time period
• magic faded

The Magic & Heritage theme explores how the Lightfoot brothers reconnect with their family's magical past while navigating a world where magic has become obsolete. Their quest to spend one last day with their deceased father becomes a journey of rediscovering lost magical traditions and understanding the importance of their cultural heritage.

• magic
• heritage
• rediscovering magic
• cultural heritage
• legacy

The Family Bonds theme centers on the relationship between brothers Ian and Barley as they journey together to honor their late father. Through their quest, they learn sacrifice, support, and emotional growth. The theme also encompasses their mother Laurel's journey and the broader idea that family connections are strengthened through shared experiences.

• family bonds
• brothers
• Ian
• Barley
• family
• relationships

The main characters include Ian Lightfoot, the younger teenage brother struggling with self-confidence who discovers magical abilities; Barley, his older enthusiastic and adventurous brother obsessed with history and role-playing; Laurel Lightfoot, their supportive single mother; and Corey the Manticore, a former legendary adventurer who now runs a restaurant.

• Ian Lightfoot
• Barley Lightfoot
• Laurel Lightfoot
• Corey
• main characters

Ian Lightfoot is the younger of the two elven brothers, voiced by Tom Holland. He is a high school student who struggles with self-esteem and feels the weight of expectations. Throughout the quest, Ian learns to harness his latent magical abilities and transforms from an insecure teenager into a brave and confident young elf.

• Ian Lightfoot
• younger brother
• main character
• magical abilities

Barley Lightfoot is the older brother, voiced by Chris Pratt. He is a passionate history buff and role-playing game enthusiast known for his impulsive and adventurous nature. Despite his bravado, Barley carries deep emotional pain from losing his father, and his journey represents learning sacrifice and maturity.

• Barley Lightfoot
• older brother
• history
• main character
• adventure

Corey, the Manticore, is voiced by Octavia Spencer. Initially introduced as the mundane owner of Manticore's Tavern (a family restaurant), she is actually a former legendary adventurer who has lost her fiery spirit. Through helping the brothers, she rekindles her sense of adventure and becomes a crucial ally in their quest.

• Corey
• Manticore
• tavern owner
• ally
• adventure

Magic serves as a metaphor for heritage and connection to the past in Onward. The world has largely forgotten its magical roots, with technology replacing mystical practices. The brothers' quest to use magic to see their father again represents the broader theme of reclaiming lost cultural heritage and the importance of remembering where we come from.

• magic
• importance
• heritage
• metaphor
• cultural heritage

Elves in Onward live in a suburban fantasy world where magical creatures coexist with modern technology. Their society has evolved to prioritize convenience over mysticism, with magic becoming a lost art. This creates a tension between the characters' desire to reconnect with their magical heritage and a world that has moved on from such wonders.

• elves
• suburban fantasy
• world
• modern technology
• magical creatures

Ian and Barley have a typical sibling dynamic where the older brother annoys the younger one, but they share a deep bond formed by their shared loss of their father. Their quest forces them to work together despite their differences: Ian's insecurity versus Barley's overconfidence. Together, they learn to appreciate each other's strengths and grow closer as brothers.

• sibling relationship
• Ian and Barley
• brothers
• dynamic
• growth

Ian and Barley's father passed away before the events of the movie. He is never seen in the present day, but his memory drives the entire story. The brothers embark on a magical quest specifically to spend one final day with him, using a special spell he left behind, making the father's absence the emotional core of the film.

• father
• death
• passed away
• grief
• family
• quest