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Secret Society of Second Born Royals (2020) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Secret Society of Second Born Royals (2020) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 96 min · English
Echo score 42
JustWatch #21,722 2
Directed by
Anna Mastro
Starring
Skylar Astin, Niles Fitch, Sam Page, Noah Lomax, Greg Bryk, Alli Chung

A second-born royal named Sam uncovers a startling secret: she possesses extraordinary abilities and is destined for more than just being a spare heir. She's drawn into a clandestine society of remarkable royals, who are responsible for protecting the world. Under the tutelage of James, Sam and a group of new recruits train at a hidden camp, learning to control their powers and preparing for a mission that will test their abilities and courage in this action-packed adventure comedy.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  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 Secret Society of Second Born Royals
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Secret Society of Second Born Royals (2020)

Where can you watch Secret Society of Second Born Royals? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Disney Plus: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

Secret Society of Second Born Royals Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Secret Society of Second Born Royals (2020), 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.

  • Princess Samantha 'Sam'

    played by Peyton Elizabeth Lee

    Sam is a spirited and rebellious young woman who struggles with the expectations of her royal heritage. Her journey of self-discovery and empowerment highlights her transformation from a carefree musician to a responsible individual ready to defend her kingdom. She's characterized by her strong will and creative spirit.

    • 👑 Royalty
    • 🎸 Music
    • 🌟 Self-Discovery
  • Professor James Morrow

    played by Skylar Astin

    Professor Morrow is the enigmatic mentor who guides Sam and her friends in harnessing their newfound powers. His wisdom and experience help shape their journey, as he encourages them to embrace their identities. Morrow's protective nature and dedication to the students highlight his significance in their growth.

    • 👨‍🏫 Mentor
    • 🧙‍♂️ Wisdom
    • 💪 Guidance
  • Inmate 34

    played by Greg Bryk

    Inmate 34 serves as the main antagonist whose escape poses a significant threat to Illyria. He embodies chaos with telekinetic powers, challenging Sam and her friends to confront not just external danger, but their internal fears as well. His presence serves as a catalyst for the characters' development.

    • 🚨 Antagonist
    • 🔥 Chaos
    • 😈 Threat
  • January

    played by Isabella Blake-Thomas

    January is portrayed as a charming and sociable member of the group who hides a more sinister agenda. Her dual nature reveals complexities in character dynamics and illustrates themes of ambition and envy. Her actions significantly influence the plot, driving the narrative towards conflict.

    • ✨ Charm
    • 💔 Betrayal
    • 🥇 Ambition

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:32

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Setting

Where and When Does Secret Society of Second Born Royals Take Place?

The setting of Secret Society of Second Born Royals (2020): 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

Modern Day

The story unfolds in a contemporary time period where modern technology intersects with royal duties. It reflects the challenges and transformations of youth navigating their identities amidst traditional expectations. This setting allows exploration of themes such as personal empowerment and social dynamics in the age of social media.

Location

Illyria

Illyria is a vibrant and enchanting kingdom, renowned for its lush landscapes and royal heritage. It serves as a backdrop for both regal traditions and contemporary youth culture, showcasing the blend of monarchy and rebellion through music and personal expression. The kingdom is also known for its magical elements, particularly as the home of superpowered individuals.

  • 🏰 Kingdom
  • 🎶 Music
  • 🌳 Nature

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:32

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3 major themes

Secret Society of Second Born Royals Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Secret Society of Second Born Royals (2020) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Empowerment

    Empowerment is a central theme as Sam and her friends learn to embrace their unique abilities. The film illustrates their journey from feeling misunderstood and ordinary to recognizing the strength that comes from their individuality. This newfound power not only helps them face external threats but also enables them to support one another through personal struggles.

  • Deception

    Deception plays a crucial role as characters navigate alliances and betrayals. January's manipulation of Edmond highlights the darker aspects of ambition and power. This theme emphasizes the complexities of trust within friendships and the consequences of personal choices that ripple through their lives.

  • Friendship

    The importance of friendship is underscored throughout the movie, particularly in how Sam connects with her peers to overcome challenges. Through misunderstandings and conflicts, their bonds strengthen, demonstrating that true camaraderie can provide resilience and support during adversities.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:32

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Character & theme questions

Secret Society of Second Born Royals Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Secret Society of Second Born Royals (2020): 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 Secret Society of Second Born Royals set?

The movie is set in the fictional kingdom of Illyria, a vibrant and enchanting realm known for its lush landscapes and royal heritage. Illyria serves as a backdrop where regal traditions intersect with contemporary youth culture, blending monarchy with modern elements like music and personal expression.

  • illyria kingdom
  • setting
  • location
  • fictional kingdom
Q2

What kind of kingdom is Illyria in the movie?

Illyria is depicted as a magical kingdom home to superpowered individuals. The setting combines traditional royal heritage with a contemporary, rebellious youth culture through music and personal expression. It balances old-world monarchy with modern sensibilities.

  • illyria
  • magical kingdom
  • royal heritage
  • worldbuilding
Q3

What time period is Secret Society of Second Born Royals set in?

The story takes place in modern day, where contemporary technology intersects with royal duties. This setting allows the film to explore themes of personal empowerment and social dynamics in the age of social media while maintaining traditional royal expectations.

  • modern day
  • contemporary
  • time period
  • setting
Q4

What are the main themes in Secret Society of Second Born Royals?

The film centers on three key themes: empowerment, as characters learn to embrace their unique abilities; deception, which drives conflict through manipulative alliances; and friendship, which strengthens through misunderstandings and challenges.

  • themes
  • empowerment
  • deception
  • friendship
  • meaning
Q5

What is the movie's message about empowerment?

The empowerment theme follows Sam and her friends as they transform from feeling misunderstood and ordinary to recognizing the strength in their individuality. Their newfound powers help them face external threats while supporting each other through personal struggles.

  • empowerment
  • self-discovery
  • personal growth
  • powers
Q6

Who is Princess Samantha 'Sam' in the movie?

Princess Samantha 'Sam' is a spirited and rebellious young woman who struggles with the expectations of her royal heritage. Her journey involves self-discovery, transforming from a carefree musician into a responsible individual ready to defend her kingdom, characterized by her strong will and creative spirit.

  • samantha sam
  • princess
  • protagonist
  • main character
Q7

What is Professor James Morrow's role in the story?

Professor James Morrow serves as the enigmatic mentor who guides Sam and her friends in harnessing their supernatural powers. His wisdom and experience shape their journey, encouraging them to embrace their identities while providing protective guidance throughout their training.

  • james morrow
  • professor
  • mentor
  • guide
  • teacher
Q8

Who is the main villain in Secret Society of Second Born Royals?

Inmate 34 is the main antagonist, a dangerous figure with telekinetic powers who escapes and poses a significant threat to Illyria. He embodies chaos and serves as a catalyst for the characters' development, challenging them to confront both external danger and internal fears.

  • inmate 34
  • villain
  • antagonist
  • enemy
  • threat
Q9

What is January's role in Secret Society of Second Born Royals?

January is a charming and sociable member of the recruited group who harbors a more sinister agenda. Her dual nature reveals complexities in character dynamics, illustrating themes of ambition and envy as her actions significantly influence the plot toward conflict.

  • january
  • character
  • antagonist
  • betrayal
  • alliance
Q10

How does the movie handle friendship as a theme?

Friendship is a core theme as Sam connects with her peers to overcome challenges. Through misunderstandings and conflicts, their bonds strengthen, demonstrating that true camaraderie provides resilience and support during adversities.

  • friendship
  • bonds
  • camaraderie
  • team
  • group
Q11

What kind of powers do the second-born royals have?

The second-born royals possess extraordinary abilities that set them apart from their older siblings. These powers vary among individuals and are central to their recruitment into the secret society tasked with protecting the world. The film explores how these characters learn to control their abilities through training.

  • powers
  • superpowers
  • abilities
  • royal magic
  • second-born

Movie threads

More Movies Like Secret Society of Second Born Royals, by Mood & Story

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

Movies about teen superhero training like Secret Society of Second Born Royals

Young protagonists discovering their powers while learning teamwork and responsibility. If you liked watching Sam and her friends learn to use their powers in Secret Society of Second Born Royals, you'll enjoy these other movies about young superheroes in training. These stories feature relatable characters, fun training sequences, and themes of friendship and responsibility, perfect for fans of energetic, youthful adventure comedies.

  • youthful
  • discovery
  • empowering
  • camaraderie
  • adventurous
  • playful
  • Tone: light, hopeful, empowering
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a 'found family' of young individuals brought together by a shared secret—their superpowers. A mentor figure guides them through a structured training program, building their skills and camaraderie. The plot often introduces an internal or external betrayal, forcing the group to unite and prove themselves in a final, action-packed mission that solidifies their bond and purpose.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here because they share a core experience of youthful empowerment, lighthearted adventure, and the fun of discovering superhuman abilities. They balance action with comedy and character-driven moments, creating an optimistic and empowering vibe centered on teamwork and growing into one's potential.

Modern royal adventure movies similar to Secret Society of Second Born Royals

Stories where monarchy meets modern-day adventure, magic, or secret societies. Fans of the secret royal society and super-powered heirs in Secret Society of Second Born Royals will love these other films that mix monarchy with modern fantasy. Discover movies where princesses and princes have secret identities, go on thrilling missions, and use magic or tech to protect their realms in action-packed stories.

  • royal
  • adventurous
  • secret society
  • fantasy
  • modern monarchy
  • youthful
  • Tone: light, adventurous, whimsical
  • Pacing: fast, steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a royal protagonist, often a prince or princess, who leads a double life. Beneath their public royal duties lies a secret life of adventure, whether it's wielding hidden powers, belonging to a clandestine organization, or undertaking dangerous quests. The conflict typically threatens their kingdom or the world, forcing them to embrace their unique role and save the day, often with the help of a quirky team.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share a unique blend of royal aesthetics with contemporary, action-oriented plots. They appeal to a sense of wonder and wish-fulfillment, combining the glamour of royalty with the excitement of superheroics or fantasy adventures, all delivered with a light, family-friendly tone.

If you liked this

Movies Like Secret Society of Second Born Royals

Similar movies to Secret Society of Second Born Royals: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

Secret Society of Second Born Royals (2020) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Secret Society of Second Born Royals in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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