The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film takes place in a small, eerie town where a grim murder scene leads to the discovery of a mysterious corpse. The majority of the story unfolds in a small-town morgue, a chilling environment filled with old medical instruments and the lingering presence of departed souls.

• setting
• morgue
• small town
• location

The events take place in contemporary times, though the film blends modern forensic science with historical witchcraft influences from the Salem witch trials era. This creates a unique atmosphere where present-day autopsy procedures clash with ancient superstitions and supernatural threats.

• present day
• time period
• contemporary
• modern era

The film explores three interconnected themes: death and mourning as the characters confront physical and psychological losses; witchcraft connecting to historical Salem witch trial references and mass hysteria; and the conflict between science and the supernatural as forensic explanations fail against inexplicable events.

• themes
• death
• witchcraft
• supernatural
• science

Witchcraft serves as a pivotal theme, intertwining the story with historical references to the Salem witch trials. Jane Doe herself is suspected of having ties to witchcraft, and the film explores how mass hysteria led to innocent people being scapegoated, adding historical horror to the supernatural elements.

• witchcraft
• salem
• witch trials
• historical
• hysteria

The main characters are Tommy Tilden, a seasoned small-town coroner dedicated to uncovering the truth; Austin, Tommy's son who assists with the autopsy while yearning for a normal life; and Emma, Austin's girlfriend whose arrival adds personal stakes to the chilling events.

• characters
• tommy
• austin
• emma
• coroner

Tommy and Austin are father and son who work together as coroners in the small-town morgue. Tommy is a seasoned veteran guiding his son through the autopsy, while Austin balances his responsibilities at the morgue with his desire for a normal life outside of death and investigation.

• tommy
• austin
• father
• son
• relationship

The film deeply explores death and the mourning process, showing how characters cope with loss in horrific circumstances. Tommy and Austin face both physical and psychological losses that spiral them into despair as the supernatural events escalate beyond their comprehension.

• death
• mourning
• grief
• loss
• coping

The conflict between science and the supernatural is central to the film. As coroners, Tommy and Austin attempt to use forensic science to explain the mysteries of Jane Doe's body, but scientific explanations progressively fail as supernatural events intensify, raising questions about the limits of human understanding.

• science
• supernatural
• forensic
• explained
• mystery

The morgue serves as both the primary setting and a character in itself, a cold, clinical environment that becomes increasingly oppressive as supernatural events unfold. The setting's isolation amplifies the horror, trapping the characters with the mysterious corpse and ancient evil.

• morgue
• setting
• setting
• autopsy room
• environment

The film creates an atmosphere of sustained, escalating dread through supernatural horror and psychological torment. The blend of modern forensic procedures with ancient witchcraft creates a unique horror that combines clinical coldness with superstitious fear, resulting in grim discoveries and dark tension.

• horror
• atmosphere
• dread
• supernatural
• psychological