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Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
1983 · 95 min · English
JustWatch #23,738 6
Directed by
Jack Clayton
Starring
Jason Robards, Royal Dano, Jonathan Pryce, Diane Ladd, Jack Dodson, Richard Davalos

A dark carnival arrives in a small town, led by the mysterious Mr. Dark, who offers to fulfill people's deepest desires. As the carnival’s alluring promises prove difficult to resist, two young boys discover the sinister truth behind the spectacle and must confront the dark consequences of unchecked longings and the unsettling price of dreams. The town's residents find themselves grappling with the unsettling implications of their own desires.

On this page (9)
  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 The book behind the movie
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Movies like Something Wicked This Way Comes
  9. 9 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)

Where can you watch Something Wicked This Way Comes? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Disney Plus and History Vault: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

Something Wicked This Way Comes Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983), 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.

  • Will Halloway

    Will is a contemplative and introspective boy who values his close-knit family. Despite being younger than Jim, he often exhibits wisdom beyond his years, navigating the challenges of adolescence with cautious bravery. His deep loyalty to his father and friend drives him to confront the dangers posed by Mr. Dark's carnival.

    • 👦 Youth
    • 🌟 Loyalty
  • Jim Nightshade

    Jim is a free-spirited and adventurous boy, often seen as rebellious in comparison to Will. His urge to explore the unknown leads him into the captivating yet perilous world of the carnival. Despite his jealousy and impulsive nature, Jim's longing for excitement symbolizes the desire for independence in the face of looming darkness.

    • 🌪️ Adventure
    • 😒 Jealousy
  • Charles Halloway

    played by Jason Robards

    Charles is Will's devoted father, a man grappling with the passage of time and his own lost youth. His intellect and wit are key in offering guidance to the boys as they navigate the carnival's threats. Driven by love for his son, Charles exemplifies the struggles of parental responsibility against darker temptations.

    • 👨‍👦 Parent
    • 💡 Wisdom
  • Mr. Dark

    Mr. Dark is the charismatic and sinister antagonist who seeks to exploit the vulnerabilities of the townsfolk and the boys. His manipulative nature combined with dark magic embodies the theme of malevolence. Mr. Dark's pursuit of power makes him an imposing force within the narrative.

    • 🎪 Villain
    • 🌑 Malevolence

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:11

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Setting

Where and When Does Something Wicked This Way Comes Take Place?

The setting of Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983): 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

Halloween

The events of the movie unfold around Halloween, a time often associated with mystery, magic, and the supernatural. This period heightens the sense of foreboding and wonder as the characters navigate encounters with dark forces that challenge the very fabric of their lives. The duality of celebration and peril resonates deeply, particularly for the boys born on this fateful day.

Location

Green Town, Illinois

Green Town is a charming Midwestern town known for its close-knit community and idyllic surroundings. However, this serene backdrop is disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious carnival, bringing with it an unsettling air of enchantment and danger. The town's familiar landscapes morph into a battleground for the boys as they confront the malevolent forces at play.

  • 🏡 Hometown
  • 🎠 Carnival

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:11

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3 major themes

Something Wicked This Way Comes Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Friendship

    The bond between Will and Jim is central to the narrative, showcasing the power of friendship in confronting adversity. Their contrasting personalities highlight the challenges and support found within their relationship as they embark on a perilous journey. Ultimately, it is their loyalty and understanding that enables them to overcome the trials they face.

  • Courage

    The theme of courage manifests through the characters' willingness to confront their fears and the sinister forces at play. Despite feelings of helplessness, Will and Charles display resilience in their actions against Mr. Dark. Their bravery, encouraged by love and determination, transforms into a powerful force that fights against despair.

  • Darkness vs. Light

    The battle between good and evil is embodied in the struggle against Mr. Dark and his manipulative carnival. This theme explores the juxtaposition of darkness and light, illustrated by the boys' determination to protect their youth and innocence. The ultimate triumph over malevolence underscores the enduring hope that light can prevail over darkness.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:11

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Character & theme questions

Something Wicked This Way Comes Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983): 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 Something Wicked This Way Comes set?

The movie is set in Green Town, Illinois, a charming Midwestern small town known for its close-knit community and idyllic surroundings. This seemingly perfect American setting creates a stark contrast with the dark carnival that arrives, turning the familiar into something sinister.

  • green town illinois
  • setting
  • carnival location
  • small town
Q2

Why does the story take place around Halloween?

The events unfold around Halloween, a time associated with mystery, magic, and the supernatural. This setting heightens the sense of foreboding and wonder, as the duality of celebration and peril resonates deeply, particularly for the two boys who were both born on this fateful day.

  • halloween
  • time period
  • supernatural
  • october
Q3

What does the Darkness vs. Light theme represent?

The struggle between good and evil is embodied in the battle against Mr. Dark and his manipulative carnival. The theme explores the juxtaposition of darkness and light, with the boys' determination to protect their youth and innocence. The ultimate triumph underscores that light can prevail over darkness.

  • good vs evil
  • darkness
  • light
  • theme
  • mr dark
Q4

Who is Will Halloway?

Will Halloway is a contemplative and introspective boy who values his close-knit family. Though younger than his friend Jim, he often exhibits wisdom beyond his years. His deep loyalty to his father and friend drives him to confront the dangers posed by Mr. Dark's carnival.

  • will halloway
  • character
  • protagonist
  • boy hero
Q5

Who is Jim Nightshade?

Jim Nightshade is a free-spirited and adventurous boy, often seen as rebellious compared to Will. His urge to explore the unknown leads him into the captivating yet perilous world of the carnival. His longing for excitement symbolizes the desire for independence in the face of looming darkness.

  • jim nightshade
  • character
  • rebel
  • adventurer
Q6

Who is Mr. Dark in the movie?

Mr. Dark is the charismatic and sinister antagonist who runs the dark carnival. He seeks to exploit the vulnerabilities of townsfolk and the boys by offering to fulfill their deepest desires. His manipulative nature and dark magic embody the theme of malevolence and unchecked ambition.

  • mr dark
  • villain
  • antagonist
  • carnival leader
  • evil
Q7

What is the role of friendship in Something Wicked This Way Comes?

The bond between Will and Jim is central to the narrative, showcasing the power of friendship in confronting adversity. Their contrasting personalities highlight the challenges and support found within their relationship. Ultimately, their loyalty and understanding enable them to overcome the trials they face.

  • friendship
  • will and jim
  • bond
  • loyalty
  • theme
Q8

How is courage portrayed in the movie?

Courage manifests through the characters' willingness to confront their fears and the sinister forces at play. Despite feelings of helplessness, Will and his father Charles display resilience in their actions against Mr. Dark. Their bravery, encouraged by love and determination, transforms into a powerful force against despair.

  • courage
  • bravery
  • theme
  • confronting fear
Q9

What is Green Town like before the carnival arrives?

Green Town is described as a charming Midwestern town known for its close-knit community and idyllic surroundings. The serene backdrop represents typical American small-town life, which becomes disrupted by the arrival of the mysterious carnival that brings enchantment and danger.

  • green town
  • small town america
  • midwest setting
Q10

What does the movie say about human desires?

The carnival offers to fulfill people's deepest desires, but these alluring promises prove difficult to resist and come with sinister consequences. The story explores the unsettling price of dreams and the idea that unchecked longings can lead to dark outcomes.

  • desire
  • dreams
  • wants
  • temptation
  • price of wishes
Q11

Who is Charles Halloway?

Charles Halloway is Will's devoted father, portrayed by Jason Robards. He is a man grappling with the passage of time and his own lost youth. His intellect and wit guide the boys as they navigate the carnival's threats. Driven by love for his son, he exemplifies the struggles of parental responsibility against darker temptations.

  • charles halloway
  • father
  • jason robards
  • parent
Q12

What genre and tone can viewers expect?

The movie blends Mystery, Thriller, and Fantasy genres. The tone is distinctly dark due to the core premise of a malevolent carnival exploiting human weaknesses, but this exists in tension with childhood innocence and a happy ending where good triumphs. The intensity is medium, consistent suspense and threat rather than overwhelming horror.

  • genre
  • fantasy
  • thriller
  • mystery
  • tone
  • dark fantasy

Movie threads

More Movies Like Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Mood & Story

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

Movies about kids fighting evil like Something Wicked This Way Comes

Young heroes discover a dark secret and must battle forces beyond their understanding. If you enjoyed the youthful adventure in Something Wicked This Way Comes, you'll like these movies where children and teenagers are the only ones who can see and confront a paranormal danger. This thread gathers similar fantasy and horror stories about the courage of youth facing dark forces.

  • sinister
  • childlike wonder
  • thrilling
  • foreboding
  • mysterious
  • triumphant
  • Tone: dark, thrilling, with childlike wonder
  • Pacing: steady, investigative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically begins with a discovery that shatters the characters' normal lives, leading to an investigation that reveals a sinister truth. The young protagonists often operate outside of adult belief systems, relying on their wits and the strength of their bonds to overcome a villain who preys on human weakness or fear.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their central conflict pitting the pure, inquisitive perspective of youth against a tangible supernatural evil. They share a tone that balances childhood wonder with genuine dread, creating a unique brand of suspense where the stakes feel immense precisely because the heroes are so vulnerable.

Sinister carnival movies like Something Wicked This Way Comes

A traveling show brings dark temptations and hidden horrors to a quiet community. Fans of the malevolent carnival in Something Wicked This Way Comes will enjoy these films about enchanting yet dangerous traveling shows. This collection features similar thrillers and fantasies where a circus's magical facade hides a dark purpose that threatens a town's soul.

  • ominous
  • dreamlike
  • sinister
  • mysterious
  • foreboding
  • tempting
  • Tone: dark, mysterious, ominous
  • Pacing: steady, unraveling mystery
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows the arrival of an otherworldly spectacle that captivates the locals. Characters are tempted by offers that play on their regrets or desires, leading them into peril. The story unravels the sinister truth behind the show, culminating in a confrontation between the community's values and the attraction's corrupting influence.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share the iconic setting of a macabre carnival or circus that serves as a metaphor for temptation and the dark side of dreams. They create a unique atmosphere of allure and dread, blending fantasy elements with psychological horror centered on the price of getting what you wish for.

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Movies Like Something Wicked This Way Comes

Similar movies to Something Wicked This Way Comes: 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

Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Something Wicked This Way Comes 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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