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The Innocents (2022) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Innocents (2022) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2022 · 117 min · Norwegian
Echo score 89
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Directed by
Eskil Vogt
Starring
Alva Brynsmo Ramstad, Ellen Dorrit Petersen, Irina Eidsvold Tøien, Kadra Yusuf, Lisa Tønne, Marius Kolbenstvedt
Budget
$3.4M

During a bright Nordic summer, a group of children uncover extraordinary abilities. As they explore their powers, a disturbing darkness emerges, threatening their innocence and exposing a sinister presence hidden within their seemingly idyllic surroundings. The children must confront the escalating danger and the terrifying reality of their newfound abilities.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  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 Innocents
  8. 8 Every angle
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4 main characters · contains spoilers

The Innocents Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Innocents (2022), 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.

  • Ida

    played by Alva Brynsmo Ramstad

    Ida is a lonely young girl who takes on the responsibility of caring for her older sister Anna, who has nonverbal autism. Her character is defined by her protective instincts and strong sense of loyalty. As the story unfolds, Ida faces moral challenges and ultimately discovers her own telekinetic abilities, showcasing growth and resilience.

    • 👧 Young
    • ❤️ Protective
    • 🌟 Determined
  • Anna

    played by Ellen Dorrit Petersen

    Anna, Ida's older sister, lives with nonverbal autism, relying on Ida for support and communication. She embodies innocence and vulnerability while also possessing her own latent telekinetic powers, which she begins to explore throughout the film. Her journey represents hope for connection and expression despite her challenges.

    • 👩‍🦽 Autistic
    • 🤝 Vulnerable
    • 🌈 Hopeful
  • Ben

    played by Sam Ashraf

    Ben is a charismatic boy with telekinetic abilities who initially forms a strong bond with Ida. However, his character is marked by emotional turmoil and aggression, which leads him to make harmful choices. His journey serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of unbridled power and unresolved trauma.

    • 👦 Charismatic
    • ⚡ Troubled
    • 🥺 Aggressive
  • Aisha

    played by Mina Yasmin Bremseth Asheim

    Aisha is a girl who lives in the same apartment complex and possesses the ability to communicate telepathically with Anna. Her character brings a mystical element to the story, serving as a bridge for Anna’s development. Aisha's untimely death intensifies the film's exploration of loss and the fragility of childhood.

    • 👧 Mystical
    • ✨ Telepathic
    • 💔 Tragic

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:29

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Setting

Where and When Does The Innocents Take Place?

The setting of The Innocents (2022): 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 film doesn't specify an exact time period, but its contemporary setting is reflected through the children’s modern experiences and interactions. The absence of historical references creates a timeless quality, allowing the themes to resonate with both present and future audiences.

Location

Apartment Complex, Playground

The movie takes place primarily in a residential apartment complex where the sisters Ida and Anna live with their parents. Nearby, a playground serves as a significant location for the children's interactions and events. The juxtaposition of the mundane residential life with the darker supernatural elements creates an eerie atmosphere.

  • 🏢 Residential
  • 🛝 Playground

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:29

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3 major themes

The Innocents Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Innocents (2022) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Supernatural Abilities

    The film explores the theme of supernatural abilities, particularly through the characters of Ben, Anna, and Aisha, who possess telekinetic powers. As these abilities become a source of fascination and turmoil, they highlight the fear and potential that comes with such powers. Ida's eventual awakening of her own abilities emphasizes the theme of self-discovery and empowerment.

  • Sibling Relationship

    Ida and Anna's relationship is pivotal to the story, showcasing the complexities of sibling support, especially in the face of disabilities. Ida's determination to protect Anna reflects the deep bond they share despite the challenges. Their connection symbolizes hope for communication and understanding even in dire situations.

  • Morality and Consequences

    The film raises questions about morality as the children’s use of their powers leads to dire consequences. The tragic events involving the cat and Aisha reveal the unpredictable nature of power and responsibility. This theme underscores a dark narrative about the impact of actions on others and the moral dilemmas faced by the characters.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:29

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Character & theme questions

The Innocents Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Innocents (2022): 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 Innocents set?

The film takes place primarily in a residential apartment complex in what appears to be a Nordic setting, indicated by the bright summer atmosphere and the characters' Scandinavian features. A nearby playground serves as another key location where the children interact. The contrast between this ordinary suburban environment and the supernatural events creates an unsettling duality.

  • setting
  • location
  • apartment complex
  • playground
  • Nordic
Q2

When does The Innocents take place?

The movie is set during a contemporary bright Nordic summer, though no specific year is mentioned. The modern setting is reflected in the children's everyday interactions and technology. This contemporary yet slightly timeless feel allows the themes to resonate broadly without being tied to a specific historical period.

  • time period
  • summer
  • contemporary
  • setting
Q3

What are the main themes in The Innocents?

The film explores three major themes: supernatural abilities and their dangerous potential, the complex sibling relationship between Ida and Anna, and questions of morality as the children's use of power leads to tragic consequences. These themes intertwine to create a dark examination of childhood innocence corrupted by extraordinary power.

  • themes
  • supernatural
  • sibling relationship
  • morality
Q4

How does The Innocents explore supernatural abilities?

Through characters like Ben, Anna, and Aisha, the film examines telekinetic and telepathic powers as both fascinating and terrifying. The abilities emerge during childhood summer freedom but quickly become sources of conflict and danger. Ida's late discovery of her own powers emphasizes themes of self-discovery and empowerment amid chaos.

  • telekinesis
  • telepathy
  • powers
  • supernatural abilities
Q5

What is Ida's relationship with Anna like in The Innocents?

Ida and Anna share a profound sisterly bond despite Anna's nonverbal autism. Ida serves as her protector and primary caregiver, determined to help Anna communicate and connect. Their relationship symbolizes hope and resilience, showcasing how sibling support persists even when facing extraordinary challenges and the threat of a darker reality.

  • Ida
  • Anna
  • sisters
  • sibling relationship
  • autism
Q6

Who is Ida in The Innocents?

Ida is a lonely young girl who cares for her older sister Anna, who has nonverbal autism. She is defined by her protective instincts and fierce loyalty. Throughout the film, Ida faces moral challenges and ultimately discovers her own telekinetic abilities, representing growth and resilience under extreme pressure.

  • Ida character
  • protagonist
  • sister
  • caregiver
Q7

Who is Anna in The Innocents?

Anna is Ida's older sister who lives with nonverbal autism, relying on Ida for support and communication. She possesses latent telekinetic powers that emerge during the film. Her journey represents hope for connection and expression despite her challenges, and she can communicate telepathically with Aisha.

  • Anna character
  • autism
  • telekinetic powers
Q8

Who is Ben in The Innocents?

Ben is a charismatic boy with telekinetic abilities who forms a bond with Ida. However, his character is marked by emotional turmoil and aggression, leading him to make harmful choices. His arc serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of unbridled power and unresolved trauma.

  • Ben character
  • telekinesis
  • antagonist
  • power
Q9

Who is Aisha in The Innocents?

Aisha is a girl living in the same apartment complex who possesses the ability to communicate telepathically with Anna. She serves as a mystical bridge for Anna's development and connection. Her character brings a supernatural element to the story, and her untimely death intensifies the film's exploration of loss and childhood fragility.

  • Aisha character
  • telepathy
  • connection
Q10

How does The Innocents handle morality and consequences?

The film raises dark questions about morality as the children's use of their powers leads to tragic outcomes. Events involving harm to animals and Aisha's death reveal how power can corrupt and the unpredictable nature of responsibility. The theme underscores how actions have consequences, especially when wielded by children who don't fully understand their abilities.

  • morality
  • consequences
  • responsibility
  • ethics
Q11

What is the tone of The Innocents?

The film maintains a tense, unsettling tone that blends supernatural horror with realistic psychological drama. The bright Nordic summer setting creates an eerie contrast with the disturbing events. The constant sense of dread builds around the unpredictable and dangerous use of powers, particularly through Ben's increasingly aggressive behavior.

  • tone
  • horror
  • tension
  • atmosphere
  • thriller
Q12

What genre is The Innocents?

The Innocents blends multiple genres including drama, mystery, thriller, fantasy, and horror. It uses fantasy elements (supernatural powers) within a horror framework while maintaining dramatic storytelling about family and childhood. The horror is psychological rather than purely supernatural, focusing on the dark side of innocent characters discovering dangerous abilities.

  • genre
  • drama
  • horror
  • thriller
  • fantasy

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Innocents, by Mood & Story

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

Movies about children facing supernatural darkness like The Innocents

Stories where childhood innocence is threatened by uncanny, sinister forces. If you were captivated by the disturbing blend of childhood and horror in The Innocents, explore these movies where young characters uncover sinister powers or face malevolent forces. These films often share an atmospheric, tense, and emotionally heavy tone, depicting the loss of innocence in the face of the uncanny.

  • uncanny
  • ominous
  • childhood
  • atmospheric
  • suspenseful
  • tragic
  • Tone: tense, ominous, tragic
  • Pacing: variable, building to intense climax
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically begins in a seemingly normal, often idyllic, setting before the children stumble upon a hidden, supernatural element. Their initial curiosity or exploration gives way to escalating danger, forcing them into a confrontation that irrevocably shatters their innocence. The journey is marked by a growing sense of dread and the burden of a terrible knowledge.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their core premise: the collision of childhood with a supernatural threat. They share a specific, unsettling mood that blends the familiar with the horrifying, creating a unique form of tension and emotional weight centered on the vulnerability and corruption of youth.

Slow burn atmospheric horror movies like The Innocents

Where tension simmers in an oppressive, uncanny atmosphere before boiling over. Fans of The Innocents' tense, oppressive atmosphere will find similar dread in these slow burn horror and thriller films. These movies prioritize mood and psychological unease over jump scares, building suspense gradually through unsettling imagery, character dynamics, and a pervasive sense of impending doom.

  • slow burn
  • oppressive
  • atmospheric
  • uneasy
  • suspenseful
  • psychological
  • Tone: tense, oppressive, uncanny
  • Pacing: slow burn, variable
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread unfold patiently, establishing a deceptively calm or ordinary setting. Through careful pacing and atmospheric details, a deep-seated sense of wrongness is seeded. The tension escalates not through rapid action, but through the slow, inexorable revelation of a disturbing truth or the breaking point of the characters' psyches.

Why they belong together: They are united by a specific approach to pacing and tone: a deliberate, slow build that creates a powerful, sustained feeling of dread. The shared experience is one of immersive unease, where the environment and mood are as much a threat as any explicit monster or villain.

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Movies Like The Innocents

Similar movies to The Innocents: 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 Innocents (2022) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Innocents in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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