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Characters & Themes

The Incredible Jessica James (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 85 min · English
Echo score 67
JustWatch #33,382 1
Directed by
James C. Strouse
Starring
Chris O'Dowd, Lakeith Stanfield, Taliyah Whitaker, Jessica Williams, Noël Wells, Zabryna Guevara

A sharp-witted playwright named Jessica James is struggling to move on from a recent breakup when she meets Boone, a charismatic single man also dealing with heartbreak. They form an unexpected friendship, bonding over their shared experiences and offering each other support. As they navigate their individual challenges, a spark develops, leading them to question whether their connection could evolve into a romantic relationship.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  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 Incredible Jessica James
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Incredible Jessica James (2017)

Where can you watch The Incredible Jessica James? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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3 main characters · contains spoilers

The Incredible Jessica James Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Incredible Jessica James (2017), 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.

  • Jessica James

    played by Jessica Williams

    Jessica is a strong-willed and passionate woman, grappling with the fallout of her recent breakup. Fiercely honest, she often rants about her troubles but is also depicted as vulnerable, reflecting her artistic aspirations and struggles. Her journey involves self-discovery through new relationships and artistic endeavors.

    • 🎭 Playwright
    • 💪 Independence
    • 💔 Heartbreak
  • Boone

    played by Lakeith Stanfield

    Boone is a charming yet flawed character who connects with Jessica over their mutual experiences with relationships. His app development success contrasts with Jessica's artistic struggles, providing a unique dynamic. Boone is depicted as caring but occasionally caught in complex situations, reflecting the challenges of moving forward.

    • 💼 Entrepreneur
    • ❤️ Relationship
    • 🤔 Complication
  • Tasha

    played by Taliyah Whitaker

    Tasha acts as Jessica's supportive best friend, encouraging her to take chances in her dating life. She is a grounding presence, providing advice and friendship throughout Jessica's emotional journey. Tasha’s character adds humor and relatability to the story.

    • 👯‍♀️ Friendship
    • 💖 Support
    • 😄 Humor

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:03

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Setting

Where and When Does The Incredible Jessica James Take Place?

The setting of The Incredible Jessica James (2017): 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 events of the movie appear to unfold in contemporary times, reflecting modern dating culture and the relevance of social media in personal relationships. Themes of breakups and the struggle for artistic fulfillment resonate with current societal experiences.

Location

Manhattan, Hell's Kitchen, Ohio

The movie takes place across various locations, prominently featuring Manhattan, a vibrant urban center known for its iconic skyline and bustling lifestyle. Hell's Kitchen, a neighborhood in Manhattan, serves as a backdrop for Jessica's work at a children's theater workshop, rich with artistic culture. Ohio represents Jessica's hometown, evoking nostalgia and memories that shape her character and journey.

  • 🌆 City
  • 🏙️ Urban
  • 🏡 Hometown

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:03

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3 major themes

The Incredible Jessica James Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Incredible Jessica James (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Heartbreak

    Heartbreak is a central theme, as Jessica navigates the emotional aftermath of her breakup with Damon. Her struggle to move on leads her to explore new relationships, often backtracking towards her past. This theme highlights the difficulties of embracing new connections while being haunted by old ones.

  • Artistic Journey

    Jessica's aspirations as a playwright represent the theme of artistic journey, emphasizing the challenges of pursuing one's passion amid rejection and self-doubt. The film showcases her commitment to theater, even as she grapples with disappointments and strives to find voice in her work.

  • Reconnection

    Reconnection plays a vital role in the narrative, particularly between Jessica and Boone as they navigate their individual pasts. Their evolving relationship embodies the complexity of forming new bonds while addressing unresolved feelings for ex-partners, leading to moments of both humor and emotional depth.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:03

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Character & theme questions

The Incredible Jessica James Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Incredible Jessica James (2017): 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 The Incredible Jessica James set?

The movie primarily takes place in Manhattan, New York City, with Jessica working at a children's theater workshop in Hell's Kitchen. Her hometown of Ohio is also featured, representing her past and the memories that shape her character.

  • manhattan
  • hell's kitchen
  • new york
  • ohio
  • setting
  • locations
Q2

What time period is the movie set in?

The film is set in contemporary times, reflecting modern dating culture and the relevance of social media in personal relationships. It captures current societal experiences around breakups and romantic connections.

  • contemporary
  • modern
  • time period
  • dating culture
  • social media
Q3

What is the main theme of heartbreak in the movie?

Heartbreak is a central theme as Jessica navigates the emotional aftermath of her breakup with Damon. Her struggle to move on leads her to explore new relationships while often backtracking toward her past, highlighting the difficulties of embracing new connections while being haunted by old ones.

  • heartbreak
  • breakup
  • moving on
  • relationships
  • emotional journey
Q4

What does the movie say about pursuing artistic dreams?

Jessica's aspirations as a playwright represent the theme of artistic journey, emphasizing the challenges of pursuing one's passion amid rejection and self-doubt. The film showcases her commitment to theater while she grapples with disappointments and strives to find her voice in her work.

  • playwright
  • artistic journey
  • theater
  • passion
  • creativity
  • career
Q5

How does reconnection play into the story?

Reconnection plays a vital role as Jessica and Boone navigate their individual pasts. Their evolving relationship embodies the complexity of forming new bonds while addressing unresolved feelings for ex-partners, leading to moments of both humor and emotional depth.

  • reconnection
  • new relationship
  • healing
  • past
  • emotional bonds
Q6

Who is Jessica James in the movie?

Jessica James is a strong-willed and passionate playwright dealing with the fallout of a recent breakup. She is fiercely honest, often ranting about her troubles while also showing vulnerability. Her journey involves self-discovery through new relationships and artistic endeavors.

  • jessica james
  • playwright
  • protagonist
  • main character
  • strong-willed
Q7

Who is Boone and what does he do?

Boone is a charming yet flawed character who connects with Jessica over their mutual experiences with heartbreak. He is an app developer whose success contrasts with Jessica's artistic struggles, providing a unique dynamic between the two characters.

  • boone
  • app developer
  • love interest
  • supporting character
  • charming
Q8

Who is Tasha in the story?

Tasha acts as Jessica's supportive best friend, encouraging her to take chances in her dating life. She serves as a grounding presence, providing advice and friendship throughout Jessica's emotional journey while adding humor and relatability to the story.

  • tasha
  • best friend
  • supporting character
  • friendship
  • comic relief
Q9

What is the tone of The Incredible Jessica James?

The film maintains a light and humorous spirit despite emotionally resonant themes of heartbreak and creative rejection. It balances the sadness of breakup and career frustration with uplifting support from friendship and new romance, resulting in a hopeful and heartwarming tone.

  • tone
  • mood
  • humorous
  • heartfelt
  • romantic comedy
  • hopeful
Q10

What type of movie is The Incredible Jessica James?

The Incredible Jessica James is a romantic comedy that blends humor with genuine emotional stakes. It is a character-driven story with straightforward pacing, focusing on Jessica's journey through heartbreak, artistic pursuits, and new romantic possibilities.

  • romantic comedy
  • rom-com
  • indie film
  • comedy
  • romance
  • 2017

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Incredible Jessica James, by Mood & Story

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

Movies about Confident Women like The Incredible Jessica James

Sharp and resilient female protagonists finding their way in contemporary cities. If you enjoyed the sharp wit and resilient spirit of Jessica James, you'll like these movies featuring self-assured women navigating modern life. This thread groups similar character-driven comedies and dramas about creative ambition, dating, and finding one's path in the city.

  • witty
  • confident
  • modern
  • reflective
  • resilient
  • hopeful
  • Tone: hopeful, witty, reflective
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a central female character's journey of self-discovery, often balancing creative or professional aspirations with the complexities of modern relationships. The conflict is primarily internal and interpersonal, focusing on growth, healing from past hurts, and forging a meaningful path forward.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share a focus on charismatic, independent female leads, a modern urban setting, and a tone that balances witty humor with genuine emotional reflection. The pacing is steady and character-driven, emphasizing personal evolution over plot-heavy mechanics.

Movies about Post-Breakup Recovery like The Incredible Jessica James

Stories about moving on from a breakup and finding unexpected support. If you liked the heartfelt and humorous take on moving on in The Incredible Jessica James, explore these movies about post-breakup recovery. This thread features stories where characters heal from heartbreak, often forming new bonds that help them rediscover themselves.

  • heartfelt
  • hopeful
  • romantic
  • resilient
  • bittersweet
  • healing
  • Tone: hopeful, bittersweet, romantic
  • Pacing: steady, emotional progression
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative begins with the emotional fallout of a recent breakup, charting the protagonist's journey from sadness and frustration towards acceptance and new beginnings. A key element is the formation of a new, supportive connection—romantic or platonic—that serves as a catalyst for healing and personal rediscovery.

Why they belong together: This thread unites movies that share the specific emotional arc of post-breakup recovery, blending sadness with hopefulness. They typically feature a medium emotional weight, a steady pacing focused on character development, and a happy or optimistic ending that reinforces the theme of resilience.

If you liked this

Movies Like The Incredible Jessica James

Similar movies to The Incredible Jessica James: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

The Incredible Jessica James (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Incredible Jessica James 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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