The Humans (2021) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film is set in Lower Manhattan, specifically in the Chinatown neighborhood. The entire story unfolds in Brigid's apartment, a small New York City dwelling that becomes the backdrop for the family's tense Thanksgiving gathering.

Foreshadowing: The cramped apartment setting foreshadows the claustrophobic emotional intensity that builds as family secrets unravel.

• lower manhattan
• chinatown
• apartment
• setting
• new york city

Brigid lives in a modest apartment in Manhattan's Chinatown. The space is relatively small, reflecting her financial situation and the pressure she feels from her family's expectations. The confined setting serves as a pressure cooker, trapping the family together as tensions rise throughout the evening.

• brigid apartment
• chinatown
• small space
• family gathering

The story takes place during Thanksgiving, a holiday traditionally associated with family unity and gratitude. This contrast heightens the film's emotional tension, as the family gathers for what should be a harmonious meal but instead becomes an evening of confrontation and revelation. The holiday underscores the disconnect between the ideal of family closeness and the reality of their fractured relationships.

• thanksgiving
• holiday
• family gathering
• tradition
• tension

The film explores three interconnected themes: Family Struggles, which examines the tensions and fragility of family bonds; Mental Health, focusing on depression and chronic illness affecting several characters; and Past Trauma, particularly the lasting impact of 9/11 on the family through Erik's experience.

• family struggles
• mental health
• past trauma
• themes
• 9/11

The Family Struggles theme depicts the complex dynamics between three generations of the Blake family. Each member carries personal burdens, from financial instability to unfulfilled dreams, that impact their interactions. The Thanksgiving gathering forces these hidden tensions to surface, revealing how accumulated resentments and unspoken problems threaten the family's unity.

• family bonds
• generational tension
• relationships
• secrets

Mental health is a significant focus, particularly through Richard's struggle with depression and Aimee's chronic illness. The film portrays how these invisible challenges affect not only the individuals but also their ability to connect with family. Richard's lack of financial stability and emotional vulnerability creates additional strain, while Aimee's health issues symbolize the broader theme of people feeling unsupported during difficult times.

• depression
• chronic illness
• mental health
• emotional support
• richard
• aimee

Erik, the father, grapples with haunting memories of 9/11, which continue to affect his emotional stability and interactions with his family. His critical demeanor serves as a mask for unresolved trauma, and as the evening progresses, these deeper emotional wounds come to light. The film illustrates how historical events leave lasting scars on individuals and families, impacting subsequent generations.

Foreshadowing: Early scenes hint at Erik's agitation and distance, foreshadowing the revelation of his 9/11 trauma.

• erik
• 9/11
• trauma
• father
• emotional scars
• ptsd

The film centers on three generations of the Blake family: Momo is the elderly matriarch whose health is declining; Deirdre is the matriarch dealing with arthritis and family burdens; Erik is the father haunted by 9/11 trauma; Brigid is the composer daughter seeking independence; Aimee is the struggling young woman facing health issues and job loss; and Richard is Brigid's partner dealing with depression.

• characters
• blake family
• three generations
• cast

Momo is the oldest family member, an elderly woman facing the decline of her health. Her condition adds layers of complexity to the family dynamics, and her moments of clarity, such as writing a heartfelt letter to Deirdre, serve as poignant reminders of the familial bonds that persist despite the family's struggles.

• momo
• grandmother
• elderly
• health decline
• family matriarch

Brigid is a talented composer who feels unsupported by her family in pursuing her musical dreams. She resents their financial help, viewing it as a form of control rather than support. Her bitterness reflects a broader theme of generational tension, between pursuing artistic passions versus financial stability, and seeking independence while remaining connected to family expectations.

• brigid
• composer
• music career
• family expectations
• independence

Richard is Brigid's partner who struggles with depression and financial instability. His character provides a counterbalance to Erik's critical nature, offering a more open and vulnerable perspective during family conversations. His struggles highlight the challenges of supporting a loved one while dealing with one's own mental health difficulties.

• richard
• brigid's partner
• depression
• financial struggle
• support