Small Crimes (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The story takes place in a small American town, where Joe Denton returns after serving six years in prison. The key locations include a local bar, a hospice, and a diner, settings that represent both his past connections and his tentative steps toward a new life.

• small town
• setting
• locations
• joe denton

The film is set in contemporary times, depicting a modern small-town America struggling with crime and corruption. This present-day setting grounds the story's themes of redemption and moral ambiguity in a recognizable world.

• contemporary
• modern
• time period
• setting

Redemption is the central theme, Joe Denton desperately seeks to make amends for his past sins and rebuild his life. However, the movie portrays redemption as fraught with peril, as each attempt to change brings new challenges and moral compromises, ultimately questioning whether escape from one's past is truly possible.

• redemption
• forgiveness
• second chance
• joe denton

Betrayal runs throughout the narrative, with Denton facing treachery from those around him as well as from himself. The story explores how past grievances poison relationships, creating a web of distrust that leads to tragic outcomes for multiple characters.

• betrayal
• trust
• treachery
• relationships

The film delves into moral ambiguity, questioning whether traditional notions of right and wrong apply in a corrupt world. Joe Denton's struggle between his violent past and the possibility of a peaceful future tests his moral compass, exploring whether redemption is attainable when surrounded by corruption and coercion.

• morality
• ethics
• right wrong
• corruption

Joe Denton is a former police officer who served six years in prison for attempted murder. He returns to his hometown hoping to rebuild his life, but finds himself trapped between a corrupt sheriff, a district attorney, and a mob boss, all seeking to exploit his troubled past. His character embodies vulnerability, anger, and a desperate longing for forgiveness.

• joe denton
• protagonist
• former cop
• ex-convict

Charlotte Boyd is a compassionate hospice nurse who becomes a beacon of hope for Joe Denton amid his chaotic life. She works at the hospice and represents innocence and compassion. As their relationship develops, she becomes a crucial support for Denton, though she is inevitably drawn into the violence surrounding him.

• charlotte boyd
• hospice nurse
• love interest
• support

Lieutenant Pleasant serves as the primary antagonist, representing corrupted authority. He exploits Joe Denton's vulnerabilities and manipulates him toward violent decisions that threaten not only Denton's life but also those he cares about. His deceitful nature illustrates the conflict between duty, morality, and personal vendettas.

• lieutenant pleasant
• antagonist
• corrupt sheriff
• villain

The movie depicts a grim, corrupt small-town America where violence and moral compromise are inescapable. There's little to no levity, the tone is unambiguously dark, with crime, betrayal, and the inescapability of one's past shaping every character. The world shown is one where redemption seems nearly impossible and the past constantly catches up.

• corruption
• crime
• dark tone
• small town america

Joe Denton's relationships with his parents, ex-wife, and Charlotte Boyd represent his desperate longing for forgiveness and a fresh start. These familial and romantic connections highlight his isolation and the difficulty of reconnecting with a community that remembers his violent past.

• family
• relationships
• parents
• ex-wife
• isolation