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Poms (2019) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Poms (2019) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 90 min · English
Echo score 38
Directed by
Zara Hayes
Starring
Diane Keaton, Dorothy Steel, Alisha Boe, Jacki Weaver, Charlie Tahan, Bruce McGill
Budget
$10M

A retiree seeking peace and quiet finds her life unexpectedly changed when a vibrant new neighbor encourages her to embrace a more active lifestyle. Together, they form a senior cheerleading squad, challenging societal expectations and discovering the power of teamwork. Facing personal doubts and external skepticism, the women learn that pursuing passions and defying limitations knows no age.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (11)
  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 Poms
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Poms (2019)

Where can you watch Poms? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Tubi TV, Amazon Video and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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11 main characters · contains spoilers

Poms Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Poms (2019), 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.

  • Martha (Diane Keaton)

    A woman dying of cancer who relocates from New York to Sun Springs to forego further treatment. She is determined to reclaim purpose through activity and leadership, channeling her past as a cheerleader into a new community project. Martha is resourceful, stubborn, and deeply human as she navigates fear, friendship, and the risk of letting go. Her journey centers on finding meaning and connection in the face of illness.

    • 🏷️ Protagonist
    • 🏷️ Elderly
    • 🏷️ Cancer
  • Sheryl (Jacki Weaver)

    Martha's neighbor who becomes a catalyst for the cheerleading idea. She is pragmatic, at times pushy, but ultimately supportive as she helps organize activities and recruits teammates. Sheryl balances tough leadership with a growing sense of loyalty to Martha and the group. Her dynamic with Martha drives much of the film’s conflict and warmth.

    • 🏷️ Friend
    • 🏷️ Mentor
  • Ben (Charlie Tahan)

    Sheryl's teenage grandson who is hired to DJ their pep rallies. He brings a youthful energy and tech-savvy presence to the group, bridging generations. Ben's involvement helps the seniors connect with contemporary culture while supporting the club's momentum.

    • 🏷️ DJ
    • 🏷️ Teen
  • Chloe (Alisha Boe)

    Sheryl's student who initially teases the older group but becomes their choreographer and coach. Chloe evolves from a source of friction to a trusted collaborator, helping the women grow their routine. Her presence highlights the power of empathy and mentorship across age gaps.

    • 🏷️ Student
    • 🏷️ Choreographer
  • Helen (Phyllis Somerville)

    A member of the club whose injury tests the group's resolve. Her illness and family dynamics, including her overbearing son, add emotional stakes to the journey. Helen's resilience contributes to the ensemble's determination to compete and persevere.

    • 🏷️ Elderly
    • 🏷️ Hospitalization
  • Olive (Pam Grier)

    One of the initial six women who join the cheer squad, bringing warmth and personality to the group. Olive's presence helps ground the team in friendship and shared laughter. She embodies the movie's theme of vitality in later life.

    • 🏷️ Elderly
    • 🏷️ Friend
  • Alice (Rhea Perlman)

    Another member of the community who participates in the club, contributing steadiness and camaraderie. Alice's participation reinforces the idea that community ties can be forged through shared hobbies and mutual support.

    • 🏷️ Elderly
    • 🏷️ Community
  • Phyllis (Patricia French)

    A fellow resident whose involvement underscores the inclusivity and variety within the Sun Springs group. Her presence helps demonstrate the diverse personalities that come together when pursuing a common goal.

    • 🏷️ Elderly
    • 🏷️ Veteran
  • Vicki (Celia Weston)

    The community supervisor who oversees Sun Springs and ultimately votes to disband the cheer club. Vicki's decisions reflect the tension between tradition and the residents' desire for self-expression. Her role tests the group's resilience and unity.

    • 🏷️ Authority
    • 🏷️ Administrator
  • Chief Carl (Bruce McGill)

    Sun Springs' security chief who intervenes in noisy disturbances and later assists the group during their attempt to reach the competition. Carl represents the authority figure who tweaks the balance between control and compassion in the community.

    • 🏷️ Security
    • 🏷️ Authority
  • Evelyn (Ginny MacColl)

    A member of the Sun Springs community who joins the cheer squad, contributing to the sense of a cooperative, multi-member group. Evelyn's involvement highlights the ensemble nature of the story and the ripple effects of building a team.

    • 🏷️ Elderly
    • 🏷️ Teamwork

Last updated: January 08, 2026 at 11:59

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Setting

Where and When Does Poms Take Place?

The setting of Poms (2019): 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

Location

New York, Sun Springs Retirement Community, Georgia

The film is primarily set at Sun Springs, a Georgia retirement community where residents are encouraged to join clubs and participate in organized activities. The early move from New York frames Martha's relocation as a fresh start in a place built around social life and intergenerational engagement. The setting serves as a backdrop for friendships, rivalry, and the pursuit of meaningful moments in later life.

  • 🏷️ Retirement community
  • 🗽 New York
  • 🗺️ Georgia

Last updated: January 08, 2026 at 11:59

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3 major themes

Poms Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Poms (2019) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Friendship

    Martha's move to Sun Springs sparks new bonds across generations, highlighting how companionship can redefine life after diagnosis. The group’s camaraderie grows through shared goal-setting, practice, and support during setbacks. The film suggests that friendship can inject purpose and joy into aging, transforming lonely routines into active, communal experiences.

  • Resilience

    Facing terminal illness, Martha fights to stay engaged with life and to prove that she can still lead and inspire. The cheerleading project becomes a symbol of stubborn optimism, with the group adapting to physical limits and setbacks. Resilience emerges from collective effort and a willingness to take risks for something meaningful.

  • Mortality

    Martha's illness casts a quiet, ongoing pressure that shapes choices and relationships. The narrative uses mortality to explore legacy, memory, and the desire to leave a lasting impact on others. The finale turns Martha's life into a celebration of influence, love, and the communities formed around her.

Last updated: January 08, 2026 at 11:59

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Character & theme questions

Poms Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Poms (2019): 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 the movie set?

The film takes place at Sun Springs, a retirement community in Georgia. Martha moves there from New York seeking a quieter lifestyle, finding herself in a community designed around social activities and intergenerational engagement.

  • sun springs
  • georgia
  • retirement community
  • setting
  • location
Q2

What is Sun Springs like?

Sun Springs is a Georgia retirement community that encourages residents to join clubs and participate in organized activities. It serves as a backdrop for friendships, rivalry, and the pursuit of meaningful moments in later life, with a focus on social connection and active aging.

  • sun springs
  • retirement community
  • georgia
  • senior living
Q3

What are the main themes?

The film explores three interconnected themes: Friendship shows how companionship can redefine life after diagnosis; Resilience depicts fighting terminal illness through stubborn optimism; Mortality examines legacy, memory, and the desire to leave a lasting impact on others.

  • friendship
  • resilience
  • mortality
  • themes
  • aging
  • purpose
Q4

How does friendship play a role in the story?

Martha's move to Sun Springs sparks new bonds across generations. The film's friendship theme highlights how companionship can transform lonely routines into active, communal experiences, with the cheerleading squad growing through shared goals, practice, and mutual support during setbacks.

  • friendship
  • community
  • cheerleading squad
  • bonds
Q5

Who is Martha in the movie?

Martha, played by Diane Keaton, is a woman dying of cancer who relocates from New York to Sun Springs to forego further treatment. Determined to reclaim purpose, she channels her past as a cheerleader into leading a new community project, embodying resourcefulness and stubborn optimism.

  • martha
  • diane keaton
  • cancer
  • cheerleading leader
Q6

Who is Sheryl and what is her role?

Sheryl, played by Jacki Weaver, is Martha's neighbor who becomes the catalyst for the cheerleading idea. She is pragmatic and sometimes pushy, but ultimately supportive as she organizes activities and recruits teammates. Sheryl's dynamic with Martha drives much of the film's conflict and warmth.

  • sheryl
  • jacki weaver
  • neighbor
  • organizer
Q7

How does the movie handle mortality?

Martha's illness casts ongoing pressure that shapes choices and relationships. The narrative uses mortality to explore legacy and the desire to leave a lasting impact. The finale celebrates Martha's influence, love, and the communities formed around her, framing her life as a meaningful celebration rather than a tragic ending.

  • mortality
  • cancer
  • legacy
  • death
  • terminal illness
Q8

What does resilience mean in this film?

Facing terminal illness, Martha fights to stay engaged with life and prove she can still lead and inspire. The cheerleading project becomes a symbol of stubborn optimism, with the group adapting to physical limits and setbacks. Resilience emerges from collective effort and willingness to take risks for something meaningful.

  • resilience
  • cheerleading
  • cancer
  • optimism
  • perseverance
Q9

Who is Chloe in the movie?

Chloe, played by Alisha Boe, is Sheryl's student who initially teases the older group but eventually becomes their choreographer and coach. Her evolution from a source of friction to a trusted collaborator highlights the power of empathy and mentorship across age gaps.

  • chloe
  • alisha boe
  • choreographer
  • mentor
  • student
Q10

Who is Ben and what does he do?

Ben, played by Charlie Tahan, is Sheryl's teenage grandson who is hired to DJ their pep rallies. He brings youthful energy and tech-savvy presence to the group, helping bridge generations and connecting the seniors with contemporary culture.

  • ben
  • charlie tan
  • dj
  • grandson
  • youth
Q11

Who is Vicki in the story?

Vicki, played by Celia Weston, is the Sun Springs community supervisor who oversees the retirement community. She ultimately votes to disband the cheer club, representing the tension between tradition and residents' desires for self-expression, which tests the group's resilience.

  • vicki
  • celia weston
  • supervisor
  • authority
  • community rules
Q12

What is the tone of the movie?

The film has a bittersweet tone, oscillating between joyous empowerment from the cheerleading squad and the somber reality of Martha's cancer. The humor comes from situational comedy of senior cheerleaders, which contrasts with the consistent low-level sadness of her condition.

  • tone
  • bittersweet
  • comedy
  • drama
  • emotional

Movie threads

More Movies Like Poms, by Mood & Story

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

Movies about late bloomers like Poms

Characters who defy expectations and find purpose later in life. If you enjoyed the empowering journey of Poms, discover more movies about characters finding their spark later in life. These films celebrate defying expectations, starting over, and discovering new passions, offering heartwarming and inspiring stories.

  • empowering
  • heartwarming
  • hopeful
  • defiant
  • inspiring
  • melancholic
  • Tone: bittersweet, uplifting
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories typically follow a protagonist who feels stagnant or unfulfilled, often facing ageism or societal dismissal. A catalyst—a person, an idea, or an event—ignites a change, leading them to challenge themselves and others. The plot revolves around forming a community, facing skepticism, and ultimately proving that growth and joy are ageless.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a core theme of reinvention and empowerment against the odds. They blend humor with heartfelt emotion, creating a tone that is both uplifting and bittersweet, acknowledging the challenges of change while celebrating the triumph of the human spirit.

Movies with strong female friendships like Poms

Stories celebrating the complex, empowering ties between women. Fans of the heartfelt connections in Poms will love these movies about the power of female friendship. Explore stories where women support each other through thick and thin, creating unbreakable bonds that defy age and circumstance.

  • heartwarming
  • uplifting
  • melancholic
  • defiant
  • supportive
  • empowering
  • Tone: heartwarming, melancholic, defiant
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a central female character forming a pivotal friendship or joining a group of women. This relationship becomes the core of the story, helping characters overcome personal doubts, external obstacles, or profound life changes. The journey is marked by shared vulnerability, collective strength, and a mix of joyous and somber moments.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their heartfelt exploration of female camaraderie. They share a specific emotional mix: the warmth and humor of friendship blending with the poignant realism of life's hardships, resulting in a deeply resonant, bittersweet, and ultimately uplifting experience.

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Movies Like Poms

Similar movies to Poms: 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

Poms (2019) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Poms 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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