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Characters & Themes

The Perfection (2019) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 90 min · English
Echo score 68
JustWatch #34,253 1
Directed by
Richard Shepard
Starring
Alaina Huffman, Allison Williams, Christina Jastrzembska, Doralynn Mui, Evelyn Chew, Glynis Davies

A gifted musician haunted by a tragic past becomes entangled with a promising young student. Their intense focus on achieving musical excellence leads to a dangerous obsession. As their relationship intensifies, a web of secrets and revenge unfolds, threatening to consume them both.

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 Perfection
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Perfection (2019)

Where can you watch The Perfection? 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 Perfection Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Perfection (2019), 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.

  • Charlotte

    Charlotte is a gifted cellist plagued by her past decisions, forced to put her career on hold to care for her mother. Her reunion with Anton reignites her ambition, but she soon finds herself entangled in a web of betrayal and revenge, transforming her life irrevocably.

    • 🎶 Musician
    • 😞 Traumatized
  • Lizzie

    played by Logan Browning

    Lizzie is a talented cellist who rises to prominence after Charlotte's departure. Though she initially seems confident, her vulnerability is exposed through her relationship with Charlotte. Her journey through pain and desperation drives her to a dark path of revenge.

    • 🎵 Protégé
    • 💔 Betrayed
  • Anton

    played by Steven Weber

    Anton is a authoritative figure in the music world, representing both mentorship and control. His brutal approach to perfectionism leaves lasting scars on his students. As the story unfolds, his true nature as a manipulative figure is revealed.

    • 🎓 Mentor
    • 🔪 Antagonist

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:13

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Setting

Where and When Does The Perfection Take Place?

The setting of The Perfection (2019): 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 does not specify a particular historical time frame, focusing instead on the contemporary lives of its characters. It captures the modern struggles of musicians and the complex relationships in high-pressure environments.

Location

Boston, Shanghai, China

The movie takes place in multiple locations, starting in Boston where the prestigious Bachoff music school is located. Shanghai serves as a backdrop for the reunion of Charlotte and her mentor Anton. The journey across China highlights the diverse landscapes and culture, adding an adventurous aspect to the story.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🌏 International

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:13

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3 major themes

The Perfection Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Perfection (2019) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Musical Ambition

    The pursuit of musical excellence drives the characters, showcasing the dedication and sacrifices they make for their art. The narrative explores how ambition can lead to both personal fulfillment and destructive consequences, particularly in high-stakes environments like music schools.

  • Betrayal and Revenge

    Betrayal emerges as a central theme, particularly in the relationship between Charlotte and Lizzie. Lizzie's feelings of betrayal fuel her desire for revenge against Charlotte, leading to a dark and twisted confrontation that explores the impact of past traumas.

  • Transformation

    The characters undergo significant transformations throughout the film, both physically and emotionally. Lizzie's harrowing experience alters her identity and relationships, while Charlotte grapples with her own past. Their journeys reflect the complex nature of growth and healing.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:13

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Character & theme questions

The Perfection Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Perfection (2019): 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 Perfection set?

The film primarily takes place in Boston, home to the prestigious Bachoff music school, and later in Shanghai, China where Charlotte reunites with her mentor Anton. The journey through China adds an international dimension and adventurous quality to the story.

  • boston
  • shanghai
  • china
  • bandoff school
  • settings
  • locations
Q2

When does the movie take place?

The film is set in contemporary times with no specific historical era indicated. It focuses on the modern lives and struggles of musicians navigating the competitive world of classical music, capturing the pressures and complexities of present-day music education and performance.

  • contemporary
  • modern
  • time period
  • present day
Q3

What does the film say about musical ambition?

The pursuit of musical excellence drives the characters, showcasing the dedication and sacrifices they make for their art. The narrative explores how ambition can lead to both personal fulfillment and destructive consequences, particularly in high-stakes environments like elite music schools.

  • musical ambition
  • perfectionism
  • sacrifice
  • talent
  • dedication
Q4

What role does betrayal play in the story?

Betrayal emerges as a central theme, particularly in the relationship between Charlotte and Lizzie. Lizzie's feelings of betrayal fuel her desire for revenge against Charlotte, leading to a dark and twisted confrontation that explores how past traumas can shape destructive actions.

  • betrayal
  • revenge
  • trauma
  • betrayal and revenge
Q5

How do characters transform in the film?

The characters undergo significant transformations throughout the film, both physically and emotionally. Lizzie's harrowing experiences alter her identity and relationships, while Charlotte grapples with her past decisions. Their journeys reflect the complex nature of growth, healing, and the lasting impact of trauma.

  • transformation
  • change
  • growth
  • healing
  • character arc
Q6

Who is Charlotte in the movie?

Charlotte is a gifted cellist who put her career on hold to care for her mother. Her reunion with former mentor Anton reignites her musical ambition, but she becomes entangled in a web of betrayal and revenge that transforms her life irrevocably.

  • charlotte
  • cellist
  • musician
  • protagonist
  • mother
Q7

Who is Lizzie in the movie?

Lizzie is a talented cellist who rises to prominence after Charlotte's departure from the music school. Though she appears confident, her vulnerability is exposed through her relationship with Charlotte, driving her toward a dark path of revenge.

  • lizzie
  • student
  • cellist
  • antagonist
  • revenge
Q8

Who is Anton in the movie?

Anton is an authoritative figure in the classical music world who represents both mentorship and control. His brutal approach to perfectionism leaves lasting psychological scars on his students, and his true manipulative nature is revealed as the story unfolds.

  • anton
  • mentor
  • teacher
  • professor
  • manipulator
Q9

How do the different locations affect the story?

The transition from Boston's elite music institution to the diverse landscapes of China mirrors the characters' psychological journeys. This international backdrop adds an adventurous element while emphasizing how the characters have left their protected world behind, leading to dangerous consequences.

  • china
  • travel
  • international
  • journey
  • settings
Q10

Is the movie about perfectionism?

While the title suggests perfectionism, the film primarily explores obsession and the destructive costs of pursuing artistic greatness. The characters' relentless pursuit of excellence in the high-pressure world of classical music leads to manipulation, trauma, and devastating outcomes.

  • perfectionism
  • obsession
  • excellence
  • artistic pursuit
Q11

What is the relationship between Charlotte and Lizzie?

Charlotte and Lizzie share a complex relationship that evolves from musical connection to intense emotional entanglement. Their bond becomes central to the film's exploration of betrayal and revenge, ultimately driving the narrative toward its dark and twisted conclusion.

  • charlotte
  • lizzie
  • relationship
  • student
  • mentor
Q12

What is the world of classical music like in the film?

The film depicts the classical music world as intensely competitive and psychologically dangerous. Elite music schools function as high-pressure environments where the drive for perfection can cause lasting emotional damage to students, with Anton representing the toxic extremes of musical mentorship.

  • classical music
  • music school
  • competition
  • mentorship
  • students

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Perfection, by Mood & Story

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

Thrillers about vengeful artists like The Perfection

Obsessive artists use their craft as a weapon for brutal revenge. If you liked the way The Perfection uses musical ambition as a vehicle for revenge, explore these movies where art and obsession collide. This list features similar stories of creative prodigies weaponizing their talents in dark, psychologically complex thrillers.

  • vengeful
  • obsessive
  • dark
  • tense
  • psychological
  • cunning
  • Tone: dark, vengeful, obsessive
  • Pacing: fast, escalating tension
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically follows a gifted but deeply wounded protagonist who re-enters a world that harmed them. Under the guise of mentorship or collaboration, they orchestrate an elaborate and often shocking revenge plot, using their specialized skills to turn the tables on their antagonists.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on artistry as a double-edged sword—both a source of trauma and the means for retribution. They share a dark tone, high psychological intensity, and a plot where revenge is executed with chilling precision.

Psychological thrillers with traumatic twists like The Perfection

Disturbing pasts unravel through shocking narrative turns and reveals. For viewers who enjoyed the shocking reveals and traumatic backbone of The Perfection, this collection gathers movies with similar narrative structures. Discover films where a character's painful past is the key to understanding a complex web of deception and survival.

  • unsettling
  • anxious
  • twist-heavy
  • dark
  • tense
  • psychological
  • Tone: dark, unsettling, anxious
  • Pacing: fast, twist-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories often begin with a seemingly straightforward situation that grows increasingly unsettling. The plot relies on flashbacks, hallucinations, or perspective shifts to reveal that the protagonist is acting out of severe, previously hidden trauma, turning a simple story into a complex exploration of survival and psychological damage.

Why they belong together: This thread groups films that prioritize a stressful, twist-driven narrative powered by themes of severe psychological trauma. They share a fast pace that escalates tension, a dark and heavy emotional weight, and a structure that recontextualizes early events through late revelations.

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Movies Like The Perfection

Similar movies to The Perfection: 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 Perfection (2019) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Perfection 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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