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SuperBob (2009) movie poster

Characters & Themes

SuperBob (2009) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2009 · 4 mins · English
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Directed by
Jon Drever
Starring
Brett Goldstein, Jen Brister

Bob Kenner is a superhero. He lives in Peckham. This is the first time he has granted an interview.

Comedy Cast, crew & box office
On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (2)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (4)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Every angle
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2 main characters · contains spoilers

SuperBob Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of SuperBob (2009), 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.

  • Bob (Brett Goldstein)

    A mild-mannered postman from Peckham who gains powers after an asteroid fragment crash-lands nearby. He wrestles with the temptation to use his abilities for personal gain versus the responsibility to help others. His stance shifts from obedient public servant to a self-directed hero who values his personal relationships, especially with Dorris.

    • 🦸 Hero
    • ⚖️ Moral compass

  • Dorris (Jen Brister)

    Bob's cleaner who works at the care home and becomes a key ally in his life. She supports his decisions, helps him pursue their shared dream of a better future in Colombia, and grounds him with her practical, loyal nature. Her influence is central to Bob’s choices and his sense of purpose.

    • 🤝 Loyal
    • 💖 Supportive

Last updated: December 04, 2025 at 15:25

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Setting

Where and When Does SuperBob Take Place?

The setting of SuperBob (2009): 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

Late 2000s to mid-2010s

The narrative starts in 2008 when the asteroid fragment grants Bob powers. Six years pass to around 2014, during which a documentary and a Weapons Summit push him into the public eye and into conflict with authorities. The epilogue hints at a further future as Bob and Dorris relocate to Colombia to pursue their dreams together.

Location

Peckham, London; The Shard, London; Ministry of Defence (MOD) building, London; care home in London; Colombia

Peckham, London is the hometown where Bob's ordinary life as a postman begins after the asteroid strike. The Shard and the Ministry of Defence facilities anchor the action in a modern urban Britain, blending everyday life with high-stakes power plays. A local care home and its residents ground the story in personal stakes, while Colombia later becomes the couple's destination.

  • 🏙️ London setting
  • 🌍 Contemporary
  • 🛡️ Superhero origins
  • 🎭 Government intrigue

Last updated: December 04, 2025 at 15:25

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4 major themes

SuperBob Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is SuperBob (2009) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Power & Responsibility

    Bob's powers thrust him into the classic hero dilemma: how to use gifts without becoming a tool for others. The film follows his evolution from a compliant civil servant to someone who acts on moral impulse, even at personal risk. It questions what a true responsibility to others looks like when public safety and individual freedoms collide. The narrative uses his choices to weigh the costs and duties of power.

  • Freedom vs Control

    Theresa and the MOD treat Bob as a controllable asset, pushing a crafted public image and strategic outcomes. Bob's defiance—saving lives on his terms and ultimately resigning—illustrates the tension between personal autonomy and institutional oversight. The smear campaign and international maneuvers reveal how power tries to shape a hero’s life for geopolitical ends. The theme asks who should decide the use and limits of extraordinary abilities.

  • Love & Loyalty

    Bob's relationships drive his decisions and reveal his core loyalties. His bond with Dorris anchors his personal life and pushes him toward a path that values shared dreams over institutional expectations. The tentative romance with June contrasts with the deeper connection he shares with Dorris, highlighting chosen family and mutual support. The narrative frames love as a potent motive for choosing freedom.

  • Media & Image

    The plan to produce a documentary about a 'normal' SuperBob shows how media can weaponize a hero’s image for political ends. Public perception becomes a battleground as the US engages in backing a nursery for Dorris, illustrating external agendas behind personal stories. The film uses media as a plot device to probe how narratives are constructed and consumed. It asks how a hero’s story is shaped by those who tell it.

Last updated: December 04, 2025 at 15:25

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Character & theme questions

SuperBob Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about SuperBob (2009): 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 SuperBob set?

SuperBob is set primarily in Peckham, a district in South London. The story unfolds across various London locations including The Shard and Ministry of Defence facilities, while Colombia appears in the epilogue as Bob and Dorris pursue their future together.

  • peckham
  • london
  • setting
  • the shard
  • locations
Q2

What time period does SuperBob take place in?

The movie takes place from 2008 to around 2014. It begins when Bob gains his powers from an asteroid fragment in 2008, then jumps forward six years to the period where a documentary and Weapons Summit bring him into public conflict with authorities.

  • 2008
  • 2014
  • timeline
  • era
  • late 2000s
  • mid-2010s
Q3

What are the main themes of SuperBob?

SuperBob explores several interconnected themes: Power and Responsibility examines how Bob uses his abilities; Freedom vs Control focuses on his battle against government manipulation; Love and Loyalty highlights his relationships driving his choices; and Media and Image critiques how his hero story gets weaponized for political purposes.

  • themes
  • power
  • responsibility
  • freedom
  • control
  • love
  • media
Q4

Who is Dorris in SuperBob?

Dorris is Bob's cleaner who works at the local care home. She becomes his key ally and romantic partner, grounding him with her practical and loyal nature while supporting his decision to break free from government control. She shares his dream of moving to Colombia.

  • dorris
  • character
  • bob
  • love interest
  • care home
Q5

What is the Ministry of Defence's role in the movie?

The MOD treats Bob as a controllable asset, crafting his public image and directing his actions for strategic outcomes. They push him into the public eye through a documentary and attempt to use him in a Weapons Summit, ultimately running a smear campaign when he defies their control.

  • mod
  • ministry of defence
  • government
  • bob
  • control
Q6

What role does Peckham play in the story?

Peckham serves as Bob's hometown where he lives his ordinary life as a postman before and after gaining powers. It grounds the superhero narrative in everyday London life, contrasting the extraordinary events with the familiar working-class setting where Bob's relationships and roots remain.

  • peckham
  • london
  • hometown
  • ordinary life
  • postman
Q7

Why does Bob become a superhero?

Bob gains superpowers after an asteroid fragment crash-lands near him in 2008. Rather than using his abilities for personal gain, he chooses to help others, though he wrestles with how to use his gifts responsibly without becoming a tool for government or corporate interests.

  • bob
  • powers
  • asteroid
  • superhero
  • origin
Q8

What is Bob and Dorris's relationship like?

Bob and Dorris share a deep bond built on mutual support and shared dreams. She anchors his personal life and encourages him to choose freedom and love over institutional expectations. Their tentative romance grows into a partnership that ultimately leads them to leave London together for Colombia.

  • bob
  • dorris
  • romance
  • relationship
  • love
  • loyalty
Q9

How does media play a role in SuperBob?

The film uses a documentary about SuperBob as a plot device to show how media can weaponize a hero's image. The US backs a nursery for Dorris as part of political maneuvering, and public perception becomes a battleground as various forces shape the narrative around Bob's heroism.

  • media
  • documentary
  • public image
  • politics
  • perception
Q10

What kind of movie is SuperBob?

SuperBob is a British comedy with a light, uplifting tone despite its themes of government conflict and personal rebellion. The story unfolds over a single eventful day with steady pacing, balancing bureaucratic demands and small-scale heroics with a happy ending where the hero achieves personal fulfillment.

  • comedy
  • tone
  • genre
  • british
  • light-hearted

Movie threads

More Movies Like SuperBob, by Mood & Story

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

Everyday superhero comedies like SuperBob

Superpowers meet the mundane in quirky, character-driven and feel-good stories. Looking for more movies like SuperBob? This section features charming comedies about super-powered individuals navigating the mundane world. These stories focus on quirky characters and personal dilemmas, blending lighthearted humor with a sweet, hopeful feel. If you enjoyed seeing a superhero deal with bureaucracy and romance, you'll find similar delights here.

  • quirky
  • hopeful
  • sweet
  • whimsical
  • romantic
  • bittersweet
  • Tone: light, whimsical
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives follow a protagonist with powers as they navigate ordinary societal structures, such as a day job or government oversight. The central conflict often arises from the clash between their extraordinary nature and the desire for a normal life, culminating in a choice that prioritizes personal fulfillment over external expectations.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together for their unique blend of the superhero genre with slice-of-life comedy. They share a light tone, whimsical mood, and a focus on character-driven stories where the stakes are personal rather than global, creating a uniquely charming and relatable experience.

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Quirky British romantic comedies similar to SuperBob

Awkward, heartfelt love stories set against a uniquely British backdrop. If you liked the romantic and quirky side of SuperBob, explore these charming British comedies. Discover movies with sweet, awkward love stories, hopeful characters, and a uniquely British sense of humor. These films capture a similar vibe of gentle romance, personal freedom, and uplifting endings.

  • romantic
  • quirky
  • sweet
  • hopeful
  • bittersweet
  • whimsical
  • Tone: light, sweet
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot typically revolves around an underdog or eccentric character navigating a love triangle or an unexpected attraction. The central journey involves self-discovery and gaining the confidence to pursue personal happiness, often overcoming social awkwardness or external pressures. The story unfolds at a steady pace, balancing romantic development with comedic situations.

Why they belong together: This thread connects films that excel at blending romantic sweetness with British eccentricity. They share a light emotional weight, a steady pacing focused on character interaction, and a consistently hopeful, whimsical mood that makes the romantic payoff feel earned and genuinely heartwarming.

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Every angle

SuperBob (2009) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about SuperBob 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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