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Characters & Themes

The Marvels (2023) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2023 · 1 h 45 m · English
Echo score 60
JustWatch #8,160 20
Directed by
Nia DaCosta
Starring
Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Abraham Popoola, Teyonah Parris, Zawe Ashton, Zenobia Shroff
Budget
$220M

Following her victory over the Kree and the Supreme Intelligence, Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers, discovers that her actions have destabilized the universe. While investigating a mysterious wormhole, she unexpectedly connects with a Kree revolutionary. This entanglement draws Carol into a complex web of intergalactic intrigue, forcing her to confront unforeseen consequences and fight to restore balance across the cosmos.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  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 Marvels
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Marvels (2023)

Where can you watch The Marvels? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Disney Plus, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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5 main characters · contains spoilers

The Marvels Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Marvels (2023), 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.

  • Carol Danvers, Captain Marvel

    played by Brie Larson

    Carol Danvers emerges as a powerful leader fighting against corruption and injustice. With her abilities to harness cosmic energy, she embodies strength and resilience. Her journey highlights personal growth as she grapples with her past while leading her companions through perilous circumstances.

    • 💪 Empowerment
    • ⚡ Cosmic hero
  • Nick Fury

    played by Samuel L. Jackson

    Nick Fury serves as a critical strategist and connector of the Marvel universe, overseeing S.A.B.E.R.'s operations. His leadership skills and resourcefulness are pivotal in guiding the Marvels through crises. Despite challenges, he embodies unwavering determination and calm in the face of chaos.

    • 🕶️ Leadership
    • 👨‍✈️ Strategy
  • Monica Rambeau

    played by Teyonah Parris

    Monica Rambeau is portrayed as a skilled astronaut with the unique ability to manipulate the electromagnetic spectrum. Her courage and intelligence make her a formidable ally in the battle against the Kree. Throughout the film, she balances her responsibilities with personal stakes as she navigates her connections with Carol and Kamala.

    • 🚀 Space exploration
    • 💡 Innovation
  • Kamala Khan, Ms. Marvel

    played by Iman Vellani

    Kamala Khan, a teenage superhero, brings enthusiasm and youthful perspective to the team. As a fan of Captain Marvel, she represents the next generation of heroes, learning to harness cosmic powers through the Quantum Band. Her journey emphasizes self-discovery and the importance of mentorship.

    • 🌟 Aspiration
    • 👩‍🎤 Youth
  • Dar-Benn

    played by Zawe Ashton

    Dar-Benn rises as the ambitious antagonist, striving to restore Hala's glory through reckless methods. Her obsession with power and vengeance drives the central conflict, showcasing a character whose misguided intentions create chaos. Despite her villainy, her motivations highlight the desperation stemming from loss.

    • 👑 Ambition
    • ❌ Villainy

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:58

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Setting

Where and When Does The Marvels Take Place?

The setting of The Marvels (2023): 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

30 years post-supreme intelligence destruction

The events unfold over three decades following the catastrophic fall of the Supreme Intelligence, which led to a significant civil war within the Kree empire. During this period, the Kree home world, Hala, suffers immense environmental damage, affecting its air, water, and sunlight. This backdrop of chaos feeds into the conflicts the characters face as they navigate interstellar politics and personal growth.

Location

Hala, Tarnax, Aladna, Jersey City

Hala is the devastated home world of the Kree, known for its vibrant culture now reduced to desolation due to civil war. Tarnax serves as a crucial site for Skrull refugee negotiations, embodying the struggles for peace amidst intergalactic conflicts. Aladna, a water-rich planet, becomes a target for Dar-Benn's ambitions and is significant in the cosmic adventures of the Marvels. Jersey City represents a familiar and grounded setting, home to the teenage hero Kamala Khan.

  • 🌌 Galactic
  • 🌍 Earth
  • 🏝️ Water-rich Planet

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:58

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3 major themes

The Marvels Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Marvels (2023) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Conflict

    The film showcases the theme of conflict, both on a cosmic scale and within personal relationships. The civil war among the Kree serves as a backdrop to the struggles between the Marvels and their adversaries. The interpersonal dynamics, especially among the women, highlight the ways they conquer challenges by overcoming disagreements and forming alliances.

  • Unity

    Unity is central to the narrative, illustrating how diverse characters come together to face shared threats. The collaborative efforts of Carol, Monica, and Kamala are instrumental in overcoming formidable foes. Their unique abilities signify that when individuals with different strengths unite, they can achieve great feats.

  • Quantum Entanglement

    The theme of quantum entanglement manifests in the characters' powers that are interconnected and influence each other's abilities. This connection serves as a metaphor for the bonds they forge, suggesting that their fates are intertwined. As they navigate this entanglement, they learn to harness their collective strength to confront formidable challenges.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:58

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Character & theme questions

The Marvels Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Marvels (2023): 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 Marvels set?

The Marvels takes place across multiple planetary settings, including the devastated Kree home world Hala, the Skrull refugee settlement on Tarnax, the water-rich planet Aladna, and Jersey City on Earth. These locations represent both cosmic and grounded environments that drive the story's intergalactic scope.

  • settings
  • locations
  • planets
  • Hala
  • Aladna
  • Jersey City
Q2

What is Hala in The Marvels?

Hala is the home world of the Kree empire, now devastated by civil war following the fall of the Supreme Intelligence. Once a vibrant civilization, the planet suffers from damaged air, water, and sunlight, making it a central focus of the film's conflict as Dar-Benn attempts to restore its former glory.

  • Hala
  • Kree
  • home world
  • planet
  • destruction
Q3

When does The Marvels take place?

The Marvels is set approximately 30 years after the destruction of the Supreme Intelligence, which triggered a catastrophic civil war within the Kree empire. This time period establishes the backdrop of interstellar chaos and environmental decay that fuels the story's conflicts.

  • timeline
  • era
  • 30 years
  • Supreme Intelligence
Q4

What are the main themes in The Marvels?

The Marvels explores three core themes: conflict (both cosmic and interpersonal, particularly among the Kree), unity (how diverse characters with different strengths come together), and quantum entanglement (the metaphorical and literal interconnection of the heroes' powers and fates).

  • themes
  • conflict
  • unity
  • quantum entanglement
  • meaning
Q5

Who is Kamala Khan in The Marvels?

Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) is a teenage superhero and passionate fan of Captain Marvel who joins the main cast in this film. She wields cosmic powers through the Quantum Band and represents the next generation of heroes, bringing youthful enthusiasm while learning to embrace her role as a mentor-in-training.

  • Kamala Khan
  • Ms. Marvel
  • teenage hero
  • character role
Q6

Who is Dar-Benn in The Marvels?

Dar-Benn is the film's primary antagonist, a Kree revolutionary driven to restore Hala's glory after its devastation. Her desperate quest for power and vengeance stems from the losses suffered during the Kree civil war, making her a villain whose motivations highlight the consequences of galactic conflict.

  • Dar-Benn
  • villain
  • antagonist
  • Kree
  • antagonist motivation
Q7

What is quantum entanglement in The Marvels?

Quantum entanglement in The Marvels refers to the interconnected nature of Carol, Monica, and Kamala's powers, which cause them to swap locations and abilities throughout the film. This scientific concept serves as both a plot mechanism and a metaphor for the bonds they form, suggesting their fates are intertwined.

  • quantum entanglement
  • powers
  • connection
  • swapping
Q8

What is the Kree civil war in The Marvels?

The Kree civil war is a devastating conflict that erupted after the fall of the Supreme Intelligence, tearing apart the Kree empire and leaving their home world Hala in ruins. This backdrop of galactic instability drives much of the film's tension and motivates Dar-Benn's extreme actions.

  • Kree
  • civil war
  • Supreme Intelligence
  • empire
  • conflict
Q9

Who are the Marvels in The Marvels?

The Marvels refers to the team of three women: Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers), Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan), and Monica Rambeau. Each brings unique abilities, cosmic energy manipulation, quantum band powers, and electromagnetic spectrum control, that become intertwined through quantum entanglement as they unite against common threats.

  • Marvels
  • team
  • Carol Danvers
  • Kamala Khan
  • Monica Rambeau
  • heroes
Q10

What is S.A.B.E.R. in The Marvels?

S.A.B.E.R. is the space-based organization overseen by Nick Fury, serving as a hub for interstellar operations and peacekeeping efforts. Fury's leadership of S.A.B.E.R. positions him as a critical strategist guiding the Marvels through the film's crises.

  • S.A.B.E.R.
  • Nick Fury
  • organization
  • space station
Q11

What is Jersey City's role in The Marvels?

Jersey City serves as Kamala Khan's home on Earth, providing a grounded, familiar setting that contrasts with the film's cosmic environments. It represents the teenage hero's everyday life before she joins the intergalactic adventure.

  • Jersey City
  • Earth setting
  • Kamala Khan home
Q12

What is the tone and ending of The Marvels?

The Marvels maintains a hopeful tone centered on restoring balance and unity among diverse heroes. However, the ending is bittersweet: while the team successfully saves Hala and triumphs over Dar-Benn, Monica Rambeau becomes stranded in another universe, creating an emotional cost to the victory.

  • tone
  • ending
  • bittersweet
  • hopeful
  • emotional

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Marvels, by Mood & Story

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

Cosmic Consequences Superhero Movies like The Marvels

Superhero stories where saving the world comes with a bittersweet personal cost. Explore more superhero movies like The Marvels where epic, intergalactic adventures are balanced with bittersweet consequences. These films feature high-stakes action and heroic victories, but they also delve into the personal costs and complex aftermath of wielding great power across the cosmos.

  • cosmic
  • heroic
  • bittersweet
  • urgent
  • consequential
  • sacrifice
  • Tone: hopeful, bittersweet
  • Pacing: fast, urgent
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows heroes confronting universe-level threats, often of their own inadvertent creation. The central conflict involves restoring balance, but the resolution is tempered by a significant personal loss, a sacrifice, or a new complication that ensures the victory is not a simple, clean win.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they blend the spectacle of cosmic superhero action with a more reflective, emotionally nuanced approach to endings. They share a tone that is ultimately hopeful but acknowledges the weight and complexity of heroism, creating a satisfying yet thought-provoking experience.

Energetic Found Family Team-Up Movies like The Marvels

Fast-paced adventures where unlikely heroes unite to form a powerful new family. If you liked the dynamic team and found family spirit in The Marvels, you'll enjoy these other high-energy movies. They feature heroes with clashing personalities or意想不到的连接必须迅速学会合作,形成一个强大且常常幽默的新家庭单位。

  • energetic
  • heroic
  • humorous
  • uplifting
  • dynamic
  • teamwork
  • Tone: hopeful, dynamic
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot is driven by an urgent threat that forces disparate individuals to collaborate. The core of the story is their journey from friction to synergy, often involving the discovery of a unique, interconnected power dynamic. The emotional arc focuses on building trust and forging a new, supportive family bond under extreme pressure.

Why they belong together: These films share a specific cocktail of fast pacing, high-energy action, and a heartwarming emphasis on camaraderie. The joy comes from watching a group of distinct personalities click, combining their strengths in inventive ways to overcome challenges much larger than themselves.

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Movies Like The Marvels

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Every angle

The Marvels (2023) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Marvels 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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