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The Brand New Testament (2016) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Brand New Testament (2016) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2016 · 114 min · French
JustWatch #29,354 1
Directed by
Jaco Van Dormael

This fantastical comedy follows God’s ten-year-old daughter, Ea, who rebels against her tyrannical father and his cruel methods of tormenting humanity. Ea hacks into his computer, releasing the death dates of every person. Escaping her father's wrath, she assembles a group of unlikely followers and creates her own testament, a celebration of life, love, and defying mortality in the face of an inevitable end.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (2)
  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 The Brand New Testament
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Brand New Testament (2016)

Where can you watch The Brand New Testament? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Brew, fuboTV and Philo: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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2 main characters · contains spoilers

The Brand New Testament Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Brand New Testament (2016), 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.

  • Ea

    Ea is the sensitive and courageous daughter of God, embodying a deep empathy that sets her apart from her father's cold demeanor. Determined to change the oppressive landscape of existence, she seeks to empower others while grappling with her own identity. Ea’s persistence and compassion drive her quest to liberate individuals from their fated despair.

    • 👧 Daughter
    • ✊ Rebel
    • 💫 Empathetic
  • God

    The character of God is portrayed as a bored and cynical figure, disconnected from the joys of life. His oppressive nature creates a tumultuous environment for his family, reflecting a complex portrayal of divinity that contrasts with the compassionate actions of his daughter. As he confronts the consequences of his actions, he begins to see the fragility of his power.

    • 👨‍👧 Father
    • 💔 Cynic
    • 🔒 Oppressor

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:41

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Setting

Where and When Does The Brand New Testament Take Place?

The setting of The Brand New Testament (2016): 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

The movie navigates through a contemporary setting reflecting modern existential questions and family dynamics. It challenges societal norms and the concept of divinity in present day, producing a story that resonates with both the absurdity and seriousness of human life.

Location

Brussels

Brussels, the capital city of Belgium, is known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture. It serves as the political center of the European Union and is famous for its picturesque squares, such as the Grand Place. The city is also characterized by its blend of modern and historical influences, making it a unique place for various narrative explorations.

  • 🌆 City
  • 📍 Belgium

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:41

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3 major themes

The Brand New Testament Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Brand New Testament (2016) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Redemption

    The theme of redemption runs deeply throughout the film as Ea embarks on her mission to liberate individuals from the constraints imposed by her father's laws. Her journey encourages both her and her apostles to confront their pasts and seek personal growth. Through the act of revealing their death dates, they are urged to live authentically and embrace their mortal truths.

  • Familial Strife

    The strained relationship between Ea and her father, God, illustrates the impact of parental influence on personal identity. Ea's rebellion against her father's oppressive nature showcases the struggle for autonomy and self-definition amidst familial expectations. This theme highlights the complexities of love, support, and the desire for understanding within family dynamics.

  • Self-Discovery

    Ea's quest is not just to challenge her father's rules, but to facilitate self-discovery among the apostles. Their journeys resonate with themes of individuality as they learn to voice their experiences into gospels. This theme exemplifies the power of storytelling as a means of understanding oneself and finding purpose.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:41

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Character & theme questions

The Brand New Testament Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Brand New Testament (2016): 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

What city is the movie set in?

The movie is set in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium. Brussels serves as both the political center of the European Union and a character in itself, blending modern and historical influences with its picturesque squares and rich cultural heritage.

  • brussels
  • belgium
  • setting
  • location
  • european union
Q2

When does the story take place?

The story takes place in contemporary, present-day times. It reflects modern existential questions and family dynamics while challenging societal norms and traditional concepts of divinity in a way that feels relevant to today's world.

  • modern
  • present day
  • contemporary
  • time period
Q3

What are the main themes of the movie?

The movie explores three major themes: redemption, as Ea liberates people from oppressive constraints; familial strife, depicting Ea's rebellion against her father's oppressive nature; and self-discovery, as characters learn to find purpose through storytelling and embracing their individual identities.

  • themes
  • redemption
  • familial strife
  • self-discovery
  • storytelling
Q4

Who is Ea in the movie?

Ea is the ten-year-old daughter of God, portrayed as sensitive and courageous with deep empathy that contrasts her father's cold demeanor. She rebels against her father's tyrannical methods and works to empower others by helping them confront their mortality and live authentically.

  • ea
  • daughter god
  • protagonist
  • rebellion
Q5

Who is God in the movie?

God is portrayed as a bored and cynical figure living in a Brussels apartment, disconnected from the joys of life. His oppressive nature creates a tumultuous family environment, presenting a complex and unconventional portrayal of divinity that contrasts sharply with his daughter's compassionate approach.

  • god
  • father
  • divinity
  • oppressive
  • antagonist
Q6

What is the relationship between Ea and her father like?

The relationship between Ea and God is deeply strained, representing the theme of familial strife. Ea rebels against her father's oppressive nature and cruel methods of tormenting humanity, struggling for autonomy and self-definition while navigating the complex love and conflict within their family dynamic.

  • father daughter
  • family conflict
  • rebellion
  • autonomy
Q7

How does the movie approach the theme of mortality?

The movie tackles mortality by having Ea hack into her father's computer to release everyone's death dates. This forces characters to confront their inevitable end and encourages them to live more authentically, turning what could be a dark premise into a celebration of life and defying mortality.

  • mortality
  • death dates
  • life
  • confrontation
Q8

What is the tone of the movie?

The film has a primarily whimsical tone due to its fantastical premise of God living in a Brussels apartment and its satirical take on religion. However, this is balanced with thoughtful, light philosophical exploration of mortality and self-discovery, creating a hopeful and uplifting feel despite the heavy subject matter.

  • tone
  • whimsical
  • satire
  • philosophical
  • hopeful
Q9

What does the movie say about self-discovery?

The movie portrays self-discovery as a powerful journey where characters learn to voice their experiences and find purpose. Ea's quest helps her apostles create their own gospels, exemplifying how storytelling and confronting one's mortality can lead to deeper self-understanding and personal growth.

  • self discovery
  • purpose
  • storytelling
  • personal growth
Q10

How is redemption portrayed in the movie?

Redemption runs throughout the film as Ea seeks to liberate individuals from her father's oppressive laws. Both Ea and her apostles confront their pasts and are urged to grow, with the act of revealing death dates becoming a catalyst for living authentically and seeking personal transformation.

  • redemption
  • liberation
  • transformation
  • growth

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Brand New Testament, by Mood & Story

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

Whimsical Rebellions Like The Brand New Testament

Playful uprisings against divine or authoritarian figures in fantastical worlds. Explore movies like The Brand New Testament, where characters engage in playful uprisings against god-like figures or cosmic rules. If you enjoyed the satirical and fantastical rebellion in this film, you'll find similar stories that blend philosophical questions with a whimsical, hopeful tone.

  • whimsical
  • rebellious
  • thought-provoking
  • satirical
  • uplifting
  • playful
  • Tone: whimsical, satirical, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a protagonist, often an unlikely hero, who discovers a flaw or tyranny within a higher power's design. Their rebellion is not typically violent but is clever and subversive, leading to a journey that gathers followers and redefines the rules of existence, culminating in a hopeful new beginning.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a specific mix of tone and theme: a whimsical, satirical approach to profound philosophical concepts, a steady pace that allows for character-driven discovery, and a central conflict that is more conceptual than physically intense, resulting in an uplifting and intellectually stimulating experience.

Philosophical Comedies Similar to The Brand New Testament

Humorous stories that play with destiny while prompting deep personal reflection. Find philosophical comedies like The Brand New Testament that blend humor with deep questions about life and death. These films share a similar vibe, using playful concepts to explore fate and self-discovery, perfect for viewers who enjoyed the thoughtful yet lighthearted tone of this movie.

  • thought-provoking
  • playful
  • philosophical
  • uplifting
  • character-driven
  • satirical
  • Tone: playful, thoughtful, uplifting
  • Pacing: steady, idea-focused
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot is triggered by a revelation that forces characters to confront their predetermined paths. This leads to a journey of self-discovery, often involving a cast of eclectic characters who help each other find new meaning and defy their fates, all while maintaining a comedic and ultimately positive outlook.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their unique balance of comedy and philosophy. They maintain a medium emotional weight, avoiding despair while seriously engaging with heavy topics. The pacing is steady, allowing the ideas to breathe, and the tone is playful yet sincere, making complex themes accessible and uplifting.

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Every angle

The Brand New Testament (2016) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Brand New Testament 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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