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The President (2016) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The President (2016) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2016 · 119 min
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Following a period of oppression, a former President finds himself in hiding with his grandson. Now stripped of his power, he must adopt a new identity and evade those seeking retribution for the suffering he caused. They journey through dangerous landscapes, seeking refuge and blending in with a group of revolutionaries who disguise themselves as street performers. Their quest is a perilous fight for survival and a chance at freedom.

Drama Cast, crew & box office
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 (2)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like The President
  8. 8 Every angle
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4 main characters · contains spoilers

The President Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The President (2016), 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.

  • Gerald Ford

    Gerald Ford is portrayed as a heroic figure who embodies the ideals of cooperation and leadership among the former Presidents. His character often balances humor with the wisdom gained from his years in the political arena. Ford serves as a team player who encourages unity amongst the unlikely superhero ensemble.

    • 👔 Leadership
    • 🇺🇸 Historical Figure

  • Ronald Reagan

    Ronald Reagan is depicted as a charming and charismatic leader whose reputation precedes him. His character often employs a blend of humor and nostalgia, reflecting on his time in office while tackling modern issues. Reagan's portrayal highlights his optimistic outlook, making him a key player in the group's antics.

    • 🎤 Charisma
    • 🇺🇸 Historical Figure

  • George H.W. Bush

    George H.W. Bush is characterized as practical and experienced, often grounding the group in a sense of reality. His portrayal highlights his commitment to service and diplomacy, making him an essential voice in the team's decisions. Bush's persona adds depth to the humor as he navigates the challenges presented in the episodes.

    • 🌍 Diplomacy
    • 🇺🇸 Historical Figure

  • Jimmy Carter

    Jimmy Carter is depicted as the moral compass of the group, often advocating for humanitarian efforts and ethical considerations. His character illustrates the importance of compassion and public service, contrasting with the more flamboyant personalities of his peers. Carter’s principled stance often leads to deeper discussions in the group's adventures.

    • ❤️ Humanitarian
    • 🇺🇸 Historical Figure

Last updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:46

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Setting

Where and When Does The President Take Place?

The setting of The President (2016): 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

1990s - 2000s

The events of the movie unfold in the late 1990s to early 2000s, a time marked by significant political events and cultural shifts in the United States. This period saw the end of the Cold War era and the onset of global terrorism, which becomes a central issue in some of the cartoon's plots. It was also a time when satire and political cartoons flourished in television.

Location

United States

The movie primarily takes place in the United States, a country known for its political influence and cultural diversity. This setting allows for the blending of various historical figures into a comedic framework, highlighting their legacy and public personas in a unique manner. Various iconic American locations serve as backdrops for the adventures of the former Presidents.

  • 🇺🇸 USA
  • 🎡 Entertainment

Last updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:46

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2 major themes

The President Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The President (2016) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Superhero Satire

    The movie employs a unique superhero satire theme, blending real-life former Presidents with superhero tropes. This theme allows for comedic explorations of politics and their impact on society, juxtaposing the image of powerful leaders with the fantastical elements of superhero culture. The absurdity of former leaders acting as superheroes provides both humor and critique of political figures.

  • Legacy and Memory

    Another significant theme is the legacy and memory of past political leaders. Through the humorous lens of this cartoon, audiences are invited to reflect on the impact these individuals had on American history. The resurrection of historical figures underscores how their legacies continue to resonate, sometimes in ironic or exaggerated ways.

Last updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:46

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Character & theme questions

The President Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The President (2016): 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 movie primarily set?

The movie primarily takes place in the United States, with various iconic American locations serving as backdrops for the story. The U.S. setting allows the narrative to explore themes of political influence and cultural context.

  • united states
  • setting
  • locations
  • america
Q2

When does the movie take place?

The events unfold in the late 1990s to early 2000s, a period marked by significant political events and cultural shifts in the United States. This era saw the end of the Cold War and the onset of global terrorism.

  • 1990s
  • 2000s
  • time period
  • era
  • historical context
Q3

What is the main theme of the movie?

The movie employs a unique superhero satire theme, blending real-life former Presidents with superhero tropes. This allows for comedic explorations of politics and their impact on society, juxtaposing powerful leaders with fantastical elements.

  • superhero satire
  • theme
  • politics
  • satire
Q4

What does legacy and memory mean in the movie?

A significant theme is the legacy and memory of past political leaders. Through a humorous lens, audiences are invited to reflect on the impact these individuals had on American history, as their legacies continue to resonate in ironic or exaggerated ways.

  • legacy
  • memory
  • presidents
  • historical figures
  • american history
Q5

Who is Gerald Ford in the movie?

Gerald Ford is portrayed as a heroic figure who embodies cooperation and leadership among the former Presidents. He serves as a team player who encourages unity amongst the unlikely superhero ensemble.

  • gerald ford
  • character
  • former president
  • leader
Q6

Who is Ronald Reagan in the movie?

Ronald Reagan is depicted as a charming and charismatic leader whose reputation precedes him. His character employs humor and nostalgia, reflecting on his time in office while tackling modern issues with an optimistic outlook.

  • ronald reagan
  • character
  • former president
  • charismatic
Q7

Who is George H.W. Bush in the movie?

George H.W. Bush is characterized as practical and experienced, often grounding the group in reality. His portrayal highlights his commitment to service and diplomacy, making him an essential voice in the team's decisions.

  • george h w bush
  • character
  • former president
  • practical
Q8

Who is Jimmy Carter in the movie?

Jimmy Carter is depicted as the moral compass of the group, advocating for humanitarian efforts and ethical considerations. His character illustrates the importance of compassion and public service, contrasting with more flamboyant personalities.

  • jimmy carter
  • character
  • former president
  • moral compass
Q9

What kind of movie is this?

This is a comedy and satire that uses an absurd premise of former Presidents as superheroes to critique political figures. The tone is whimsical and comedic, relying on audience familiarity with historical figures and pop culture for full satirical effect.

  • comedy
  • satire
  • whimsical
  • animated
  • cartoon
Q10

How do the former Presidents work together as a team?

The former Presidents operate as an unlikely superhero ensemble, with each character bringing different strengths. Gerald Ford encourages unity, Ronald Reagan provides optimism, George H.W. Bush grounds the group with practicality, and Jimmy Carter offers moral guidance.

  • team
  • presidents
  • superhero
  • ensemble
  • cooperation

Movie threads

More Movies Like The President, by Mood & Story

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

Whimsical Political Satires like The President

Lighthearted comedies that use absurdity to poke fun at power and politics. Discover movies like The President that blend humor and political commentary. If you enjoyed the playful parody of historical figures and lighthearted take on power, you'll find similar comedies here. These films use satire and whimsy to create an engaging and funny experience.

  • satirical
  • lighthearted
  • playful
  • quirky
  • humorous
  • absurd
  • Tone: whimsical, humorous
  • Pacing: variable, episodic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread often involve an absurd reimagining of real-world institutions or figures, placing them in comedic scenarios. The conflict is typically resolved with wit and humor rather than genuine stakes, leading to a feel-good or amusing conclusion.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared whimsical tone and satirical focus on politics. They prioritize lighthearted fun and clever parody, creating a cohesive viewing experience for fans of political humor without the weight of serious drama.

Whale movie poster

Whale

1970
Welcome Mr. President! movie poster

Welcome Mr. President!

2013
The President movie poster

The President

2016
Presidential Reunion movie poster

Presidential Reunion

2010
Delusions of Grandeur movie poster

Delusions of Grandeur

1971
History of the World: Part I movie poster

History of the World: Part I

1981
The Mouse That Roared movie poster

The Mouse That Roared

1959
Snow White and the Three Stooges movie poster

Snow White and the Three Stooges

1961

Movies about Disguised Identity Journeys like The President

Characters on the run adopt new personas and find refuge in unexpected communities. Explore films similar to The President where characters go into hiding and adopt new identities. If you liked the story of a former leader blending in with street performers, you'll enjoy these narratives about survival, disguise, and finding community on the run.

  • suspenseful
  • journey
  • disguise
  • refuge
  • eccentric
  • survival
  • Tone: dramatic, suspenseful with whimsical elements
  • Pacing: variable, journey-based
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a fugitive's perilous journey, focusing on their struggle to maintain a disguise while navigating a new world. Tension arises from the constant threat of discovery, balanced with moments of connection and refuge found within their new, often eccentric, community.

Why they belong together: These films share the core plot device of a disguised identity as a means of survival. They combine tension with character-driven drama, exploring themes of redemption, adaptation, and the search for belonging against a backdrop of danger.

The Great Impostor movie poster

The Great Impostor

1961
His Double Life movie poster

His Double Life

2016
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind movie poster

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

2002
Offbeat movie poster

Offbeat

1961
Another Face movie poster

Another Face

1935
Masquerade movie poster

Masquerade

2012
The Chameleon movie poster

The Chameleon

2011
Complete Unknown movie poster

Complete Unknown

2016

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Movies Like The President

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The President’s Barber movie poster

The President’s Barber

2004
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The President's Last Bang movie poster

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1000
The President’s Man: A Line in the Sand movie poster

The President’s Man: A Line in the Sand

2002
Dead Presidents movie poster

Dead Presidents

1995
The Kidnapping of the President movie poster

The Kidnapping of the President

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Man on a Tightrope movie poster

Man on a Tightrope

1953
Big Game movie poster

Big Game

2015
President movie poster

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Power

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Guns of Darkness movie poster

Guns of Darkness

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Every angle

The President (2016) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The President 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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