The Discovery (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The story primarily takes place in an isolated mansion owned by scientist Thomas Harbor, which serves as the central location where the aftermath of his discovery unfolds. A ferry appears as a key meeting point symbolizing transitions between worlds, while the beach acts as a recurring site of reflection and tragedy for the characters.

• setting
• mansion
• location
• thomas harbor

The events occur in the present day, specifically two years after Dr. Thomas Harbor's groundbreaking discovery that proves life continues after death. This time period is marked by widespread societal despair and chaos resulting from the revelation of an afterlife.

• time period
• present day
• afterlife discovery

The film explores several interconnected themes including existential crisis, as characters struggle with the knowledge of an afterlife and its psychological impact. Grief and loss permeate the narrative, particularly through Will's mother's suicide and the broader suicide epidemic caused by the discovery. The cyclical nature of choices and their repercussions also drives the story, especially through Will's attempts to alter the past.

• themes
• existential crisis
• grief
• cycles
• choices

Thomas Harbor is a brilliant scientist portrayed by Robert Redford who made a groundbreaking discovery proving that life continues after death. Despite his intellectual achievement, he appears emotionally detached from the devastating consequences of his findings, including a worldwide spike in suicides. His complex character raises questions about scientific responsibility and the moral implications of such knowledge.

• thomas harbor
• scientist
• afterlife discovery

Will is Thomas Harbor's son, portrayed by Jason Segel, who grapples with overwhelming grief and despair following his father's discovery. Haunted by his mother's suicide, Will seeks meaning and connection through his relationship with Isla. His character represents the struggle between hope and sorrow as he attempts to understand the implications of his father's work and find redemption.

• will
• son
• grief
• jason segel

Isla, played by Rooney Mara, is a mysterious young woman who becomes connected to Will through shared trauma and loss. Her boldness contrasts with her vulnerability, embodying the fragility of life. As Will's love interest and catalyst, Isla prompts him to confront his own grief while exploring the boundaries between life, death, and memory.

• isla
• rooney mara
• love interest
• connection

The discovery that there is life after death paradoxically triggers a massive increase in suicides worldwide. People, unable to cope with the meaninglessness they perceive in their current lives or driven by grief, choose to end their lives believing they will reach the afterlife. The film suggests this knowledge strips life of meaning for many, as the certainty of continuation makes existence feel pointless to some.

• suicides
• despair
• afterlife
• societal impact

The beach serves as a recurring site of reflection and tragedy throughout the film, emphasizing the characters' connections to memory and loss. It is a place where grief manifests physically and emotionally, symbolizing the boundary between the living world and whatever lies beyond. The beach scenes highlight the haunting nature of memories and the persistent presence of the past.

• beach
• symbolism
• reflection
• tragedy

The ferry serves as a pivotal meeting point in the narrative, acting as a symbolic space for transitions and encounters between characters. It represents the threshold between the world of the living and the afterlife, reflecting the film's central themes of crossing boundaries between life and death. Many key moments of connection and revelation occur at this location.

• ferry
• meeting point
• transition
• symbolism

Grief fundamentally shapes every major character in the film. Will is haunted by his mother's suicide, Toby carries the weight of family tragedy, and Isla's past involves profound loss. The knowledge that an afterlife exists does not ease this grief, instead, it complicates it, as characters must reconcile their mourning with the certainty of continued existence. The film explores how loss defines identities and relationships.

• grief
• loss
• motivation
• character arcs

The film emphasizes the cyclical nature of choices and their repercussions, particularly through Will's attempts to alter the past. The narrative suggests that the afterlife reflects the choices made during life, implying each decision carries weight beyond immediate consequences. Even amid despair, the possibility of change exists, though the film presents this as both hopeful and bittersweet.

• choices
• consequences
• cycles
• time loop

Toby, played by Jesse Plemons, is Will's brother who serves as a grounding presence in the family dynamics shaped by their father's haunting legacy. His loyalty and concern for Will underscore the emotional burden carried by the siblings. Despite his familial ties, Toby also grapples with the implications of their father's work, representing the ripple effects of scientific discovery on family relationships.

• toby
• jesse plemons
• brother
• family