Revealer (2022) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie is set in Chicago, primarily inside Revealers, an adult bookstore that features exotic dancers. The story also takes place in hidden tunnels beneath the bookstore, which date back to the Prohibition era.

• chicago
• setting
• location
• adult bookstore

The movie is set in 1987, during the late 1980s. This era was marked by cultural clashes around issues of sexuality, morality, and the emergence of alternative lifestyles, reflecting the tensions between the main characters.

• 1987
• 1980s
• time period
• era

Revealers is an adult bookstore in Chicago known for its exotic dancers and adult entertainment. It serves as the primary setting where the two main characters are trapped together. The establishment represents the clash between conservative and liberal values that defines the film's thematic core.

• revealers
• adult bookstore
• setting
• exotic dancers

The hidden tunnels beneath Revealers are remnants from the Prohibition era, adding an eerie historical dimension to the story. These underground passages become part of the dangerous landscape the characters must navigate during the apocalyptic events.

• tunnels
• underground
• prohibition era
• hidden tunnels

The film explores three primary themes: Conflict, which examines the rivalry between the two main characters; Identity, which centers on self-acceptance and confronting personal truths; and Friendship, which shows how enemies can become allies through shared vulnerability.

• themes
• conflict
• identity
• friendship
• meaning

The Identity theme focuses on how the main characters confront their personal truths during the apocalypse. One character grapples with hidden feelings and struggles with sexuality, showcasing the internal demons that battle alongside external threats. The film emphasizes self-acceptance and understanding one's true self.

• identity
• sexuality
• self-acceptance
• personal truth

The Conflict theme is expressed through the rivalry between the two main characters, representing societal battles between differing beliefs and lifestyles. Their animosity evolves into a necessary partnership for survival against supernatural threats, extending beyond physical conflict to internal struggles with reality.

• conflict
• rivalry
• animosity
• beliefs
• lifestyle clash

Angie is a witty and resilient stripper who becomes trapped in the adult bookstore during an apocalyptic scenario. Her character evolves from being self-serving to becoming a protective and brave ally. Through confronting her fears, she develops a friendship with her former adversary and embraces a guardian role.

• angie
• main character
• stripper
• protagonist

Sally is the leader of a group of religious protesters who opposes Angie morally. She grapples with her faith and identity, revealing hidden truths about her sexuality. Despite her rigid exterior, she shows bravery and resilience as she faces both external threats and internal struggles.

• sally
• protester
• religious
• antagonist
• main character

Asmodeus is the demon prince of lust and judgment, serving as the film's central antagonist. He embodies chaotic forces and darker aspects of desire and morality, confronting the main characters with their deepest fears. His presence adds supernatural horror and tension to the story.

• asmodeus
• demon
• antagonist
• supernatural
• villain

Angie and Sally start as rivals representing opposing values, sex work and religious protest. Through shared danger and vulnerability during the apocalypse, their animosity transforms into a tentative alliance built on mutual respect. Their bond illustrates the theme that unity is possible even between sworn enemies.

• angie
• sally
• relationship
• alliance
• partnership
• rivalry

The 1987 setting reflects a period of cultural transformation in America, particularly regarding sexuality, morality, and alternative lifestyles. This backdrop amplifies the ideological clash between the stripper and the protester, making their eventual alliance more meaningful as a symbol of bridging divided worldviews.

• 1980s
• cultural context
• 1987
• social changes
• era