Princess Cyd (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The story unfolds primarily in Chicago, Illinois, where Cyd stays with her aunt Miranda for the summer. Cyd originates from Columbia, South Carolina, and the film also features the shores of Lake Michigan as a key backdrop for bonding moments between Cyd and Miranda.

• chicago setting
• columbia south carolina
• lake michigan
• locations

The narrative takes place during a summer, which is deliberately chosen to represent freedom and growth for teenagers. This seasonal setting allows Cyd to explore her identity, relationships, and personal challenges away from her difficult home life.

• summer
• season
• coming-of-age
• teenage freedom

Loss permeates the narrative through Cyd's reflections on her deceased mother and how that grief has affected her family. Cyd's journey involves coming to terms with her mother's death while her aunt Miranda, who writes religious fiction, struggles with her own faith crisis following her sister's death. Their different approaches to grief create a meaningful bond between them.

• loss
• grief
• mother death
• family trauma
• healing

Cyd's exploration of her sexuality is a pivotal theme, representing her journey toward self-acceptance. Through her relationship with Katie, Cyd finds a space to express her authentic self while navigating the complexities of teenage emotions. The film portrays identity in both familial and romantic contexts, emphasizing the importance of embracing one's true self.

• identity
• sexuality
• self-discovery
• coming-out
• authentic self

Cyd Loughlin is a spirited 16-year-old soccer player sent to Chicago for the summer to escape a difficult situation at home with her father. Over the course of the film, she undergoes significant emotional and cultural growth, forming deeper connections while exploring her identity and developing a romantic relationship with Katie.

• cyd
• main character
• teenager
• soccer player

Miranda Ruth is Cyd's warm-hearted aunt who works as a religious fiction author in Chicago. Following her sister's death, she struggles with her faith while becoming a guiding figure for Cyd throughout the summer. She represents wisdom, familial love, and the complexity of navigating personal loss while supporting others.

• miranda
• aunt
• author
• religious fiction

Katie is an androgynous young barista whom Cyd meets in Chicago. She becomes instrumental in Cyd's exploration of her sexuality and self-expression. Katie is portrayed as unique and bold, and her character adds significant complexity to the story, particularly through a threatening situation that deepens her bond with Cyd.

• katie
• barista
• romantic interest
• love interest

Love takes many forms in the film, from the deepening familial bond between Cyd and Miranda to the budding romantic connection between Cyd and Katie. The summer together fosters self-discovery, with characters encouraging and patience with one another to reveal the complexities and beauty of love in various forms.

• love
• romance
• family bonds
• relationships

Chicago serves as more than just a backdrop, it is a vibrant setting known for its diverse culture, neighborhoods, and rich literary scene. The city provides Cyd with the space to grow and explore herself, while Miranda's work as an author connects the setting to themes of creativity and self-expression.

• chicago
• literary scene
• culture
• growth space

The film carries a hopeful tone despite dealing with medium-weight emotional topics like familial loss and personal trauma. The dominant mood centers on growth, healing, and forging new connections. The ending is happy, resolving with reinforced bonds and promises for the future, offering gentle, reflective observation rather than high tension or bleakness.

• tone
• mood
• hope
• healing
• emotional journey

Anthony James is Miranda's colleague at the literary publication where she works. He shares a mutual attraction with Miranda but struggles with expressing his feelings. His character represents hesitant romance and adds complexity to Miranda's storyline as she navigates her own desires and past experiences.

• anthony
• colleague
• romance
• miranda's storyline