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Our Kind of Traitor (2016) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Our Kind of Traitor (2016) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2016 · 108 min · English
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Directed by
Susanna White

While on holiday in Marrakech, a young British couple, Perry and Gail, meet a charismatic Russian man, Dima. Unbeknownst to them, Dima is laundering money for the Russian mafia. He asks them to help him, entrusting them with sensitive information that plunges them into a dangerous world of espionage and deceit. They embark on a perilous journey across Europe, facing ruthless agents and uncovering shocking truths as they try to stay one step ahead.

On this page (9)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 The book behind the movie
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Movies like Our Kind of Traitor
  9. 9 Every angle
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3 main characters · contains spoilers

Our Kind of Traitor Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Our Kind of Traitor (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.

  • Perry MacKendrick

    Perry is a complex character, initially depicted as a man grappling with his past infidelities. As the story unfolds, he emerges as a devoted friend and a protector, willing to put himself in harm's way for Dima and his family. This evolution showcases his inner strength and commitment to doing what is morally right.

    • 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Loyalty
    • 🚪 Redemption
    • 🎭 Complexity
  • Dima

    Dima is a charismatic but tormented figure, possessing an eidetic memory and deep entanglements with the Russian Mafia. His vulnerability is juxtaposed with his fierce will to protect his family, making him a tragic hero who seeks refuge while grappling with the violent realities surrounding him. His legacy is ultimately defined by his sacrifices.

    • 🇷🇺 Resilience
    • ⚖️ Justice
    • 🌪️ Danger
  • Hector

    Hector serves as MI6's agent embroiled in a personal vendetta against corruption, showcasing a commitment to justice tempered by his complex motivations. His character reveals the moral ambiguities faced by those in power and the toll it takes on personal relationships. He navigates a dangerous landscape, balancing duty and personal loss.

    • 🔍 Investigation
    • 🥊 Conflict
    • ⚖️ Justice

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:59

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Setting

Where and When Does Our Kind of Traitor Take Place?

The setting of Our Kind of Traitor (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

The narrative is contemporary, reflecting modern issues of corruption, financial crimes, and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals entwined in criminal undercurrents. It highlights the complexities and the fast-paced nature of today's geopolitical and financial landscapes.

Location

London, Morocco, French Alps

The movie traverses several key locations, including London, a bustling metropolis known for its financial district, where intrigue and corruption unfold. Morocco serves as a vibrant backdrop where friendships are forged under sunny skies. Meanwhile, the serene yet treacherous French Alps become a setting for the dramatic climax, characterized by breathtaking landscapes and danger lurking in the shadows.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🏖️ Beach
  • 🏔️ Mountain

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:59

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3 major themes

Our Kind of Traitor Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

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

  • Betrayal

    Betrayal permeates the storyline, as trust is shattered among characters amid the backdrop of criminal schemes. Dima’s desperation contrasts sharply with the duplicity of British politicians, showcasing how personal loyalty is tested when crossed with treachery. The theme underscores the harsh realities of navigating dangerous alliances in a world fraught with deceit.

  • Survival

    Survival resonates through Dima's journey as he seeks asylum for his family amidst assassination attempts and political intrigue. The characters are compelled to confront their fears and moral compass in life-threatening situations, ultimately revealing their capacity for courage amidst chaos. The theme emphasizes the human instinct to protect loved ones against overwhelming odds.

  • Friendship

    The unlikely friendship between Perry and Dima illustrates the themes of loyalty and camaraderie in the face of danger. Their bond evolves as they navigate through life-or-death situations, reinforcing the idea that genuine connection can spring from shared peril. This theme highlights the capacity of friendship to transcend cultural divides, even amidst treachery.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:59

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Character & theme questions

Our Kind of Traitor Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Our Kind of Traitor (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 Our Kind of Traitor set?

The movie spans multiple European locations. It begins in Marrakech, Morocco, where the protagonists meet. The story then moves to London, particularly its financial district, before culminating in the French Alps, where the dramatic climax takes place.

  • locations
  • marrakech
  • london
  • french alps
  • settings
Q2

When does Our Kind of Traitor take place?

The film is set in contemporary times, reflecting modern issues of financial crimes, political corruption, and today's geopolitical landscape. There is no specific historical era, the narrative exists firmly in the present day.

  • contemporary
  • modern
  • time period
  • present day
Q3

Who is Dima in the movie?

Dima is a charismatic Russian man whom Perry and Gail meet in Marrakech. He is a money launderer for the Russian mafia who possesses an eidetic memory. Desperate to escape the criminal world and protect his family, he entrusts the British couple with sensitive information, making them targets of dangerous forces.

  • dima
  • russian mafia
  • money launderer
  • eidetic memory
Q4

Who is Perry in Our Kind of Traitor?

Perry MacKendrick is a British tourist introduced as a man dealing with past infidelities. As the story progresses, he transforms from an ordinary vacationer into a devoted friend and protector, willing to risk his life for Dima and his family, demonstrating significant moral growth and inner strength.

  • perry mackendrick
  • british tourist
  • protagonist
Q5

Who is Hector in the film?

Hector is an MI6 agent pursuing his own vendetta against corruption. He navigates the dangerous landscape of British political and intelligence establishments, balancing his duty to justice with complex personal motivations. His character embodies the moral ambiguities faced by those in positions of power.

  • hector
  • mi6
  • agent
  • corruption
Q6

What role does friendship play in Our Kind of Traitor?

Friendship is a central theme, specifically the unlikely bond that forms between Perry, a British academic, and Dima, a Russian money launderer. Their connection develops through shared danger and transcends cultural divides, illustrating how genuine relationships can emerge even in the most perilous circumstances.

  • friendship
  • loyalty
  • perry
  • dima
  • bond
Q7

How is betrayal explored in the movie?

Betrayal permeates the narrative as trust is repeatedly shattered among characters entangled in criminal and political schemes. The theme explores how personal loyalty is tested when confronted with treachery, particularly through Dima's desperate situation and the duplicity of British politicians.

  • betrayal
  • trust
  • corruption
  • politicians
Q8

What does the survival theme represent in Our Kind of Traitor?

Survival drives Dima's journey as he seeks asylum for his family while facing assassination attempts and political intrigue. The theme emphasizes the human instinct to protect loved ones against overwhelming odds, as characters confront their fears and moral compass in life-threatening situations.

  • survival
  • family
  • asylum
  • protection
Q9

What does the title Our Kind of Traitor mean?

The title refers to the moral ambiguity at the heart of the story, characters who appear trustworthy may be betraying others, while those labeled as traitors may be acting out of desperate loyalty to their families. It highlights how the lines between ally and enemy become blurred in a world of espionage and moral compromise.

  • title
  • meaning
  • traitor
  • moral ambiguity
Q10

Why are the locations important to the story?

Each location serves a thematic purpose: Marrakech represents an unsuspecting paradise where danger first emerges; London embodies the corrupt financial and political systems that Dima is trying to escape; the French Alps provide a treacherous, isolated backdrop for the climactic confrontation where lives hang in the balance.

  • locations
  • settings
  • alps
  • london
  • marrakech

Movie threads

More Movies Like Our Kind of Traitor, by Mood & Story

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

Movies about amateur spies like Our Kind of Traitor

Ordinary people plunged into dangerous international conspiracies. Find more films like Our Kind of Traitor where ordinary people get entangled in espionage. This list includes similar high-stakes thrillers about civilians forced to navigate a world of spies, corruption, and danger, often while fighting to protect their loved ones.

  • tense
  • anxious
  • high-stakes
  • paranoid
  • desperate
  • suspenseful
  • Tone: tense, anxious, paranoid
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically begins with an accidental encounter or a seemingly innocent favor that pulls an average person into a treacherous plot. Their journey involves being hunted by powerful, shadowy forces, learning who to trust, and making difficult moral compromises. The story is defined by a constant race against time, with the protagonists' survival hanging by a thread.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared premise of 'the wrong person in the wrong place,' creating a relatable and nerve-wracking experience. They share a tense, paranoid mood, fast pacing driven by pursuit, and a heavy emotional weight stemming from the vulnerability of the protagonists.

Thrillers about moral compromise like Our Kind of Traitor

Characters forced into ethical gray areas under extreme pressure. If you liked the ethical dilemmas in Our Kind of Traitor, explore these movies with similar themes of moral compromise. These tense, high-stakes stories feature characters making difficult choices under pressure, navigating betrayal and corruption in a dangerous world.

  • tense
  • gritty
  • heavy
  • suspenseful
  • desperate
  • anxious
  • Tone: tense, heavy, gritty
  • Pacing: fast, driven by consequences
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows characters who enter a morally ambiguous situation, often with good intentions, but are quickly forced to compromise their ethics. The journey involves a series of escalating compromises, confrontations with corruption, and a struggle to retain some semblance of integrity, frequently leading to a bittersweet or pyrrhic victory.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their exploration of morality under duress. They share a consistently tense tone, heavy emotional weight from the consequences of difficult choices, and often feature gritty, high-stakes settings where trust is a liability.

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Movies Like Our Kind of Traitor

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Every angle

Our Kind of Traitor (2016) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Our Kind of Traitor 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.

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