The Secrets We Keep (2020) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie is set in post-World War II Europe, primarily in Romania and Switzerland. Romania represents where Maja's traumatic past occurred during the war, while Switzerland serves as the setting where she now lives and where Thomas's alleged past comes under scrutiny.

• setting
• locations
• romania
• switzerland
• europe

The story takes place in the immediate aftermath of World War II, during the late 1940s. This period was marked by immense upheaval as survivors grappled with trauma, re-evaluated their identities, and confronted the shadows of their wartime experiences.

• time period
• 1940s
• post-war
• world war 2

The film explores three interconnected themes: justice, trauma, and identity. Justice drives Maja's pursuit of vengeance against a suspected war criminal. Trauma represents the emotional weight survivors carry and its impact on relationships. Identity examines how Maja's experience as a refugee shapes her sense of self.

• themes
• justice
• trauma
• identity
• meaning

Maja Reid is a Romanian refugee portrayed by Noomi Rapace who is haunted by her traumatic past during World War II. She struggles to maintain normalcy in her new life while dealing with memories that blur reality and nightmare. Her fierce determination to confront her past leads her to extreme lengths.

• maja
• character
• refugee
• romanian
• protagonist

Thomas Steinmann, played by Joel Kinnaman, is a man Maja suspects of being a Nazi war criminal who has moved into her neighborhood. He is captured and held in her basement, where he maintains his innocence while facing interrogation. His character embodies the conflict between guilt and denial.

• thomas
• war criminal
• suspect
• antagonist

Lewis, played by Chris Messina, is Maja's husband who provides a stabilizing presence as she grapples with her traumatic past. His concern for her well-being puts him in difficult positions as he navigates the complexities of her trauma while trying to maintain their relationship and his own sanity.

• lewis
• husband
• relationship
• support

The film centers on Maja's quest for justice against someone she believes is connected to the atrocities she endured. The story raises complex questions about morality, guilt, and whether vengeance can ever truly deliver justice. Her pursuit ultimately leads to dire consequences, blurring the line between justice and obsession.

• justice
• vengeance
• revenge
• retribution
• morality

The movie portrays trauma as an enduring weight that shapes survivors' lives long after the war ends. Maja's haunting memories affect her daily existence and relationships, showing how war leaves emotional scars that impact not only the survivor but also their loved ones. The film highlights the lasting psychological impact of violence and loss.

• trauma
• ptsd
• memories
• survivor
• war scars

Rachel, played by Amy Seimetz, is Thomas's wife and serves as a connection between Maja and Thomas's past. She represents the ordinary life that contrasts with the chaos of war. Her character is caught between her husband's potential deceit and her own hidden history, adding layers of ambiguity to the narrative.

• rachel
• character
• wife
• supporting role

The post-World War II setting is crucial to the film's atmosphere and themes. The unsettled environment of post-war Europe, with its pervasive fear and hidden secrets, creates the perfect backdrop for Maja's pursuit of justice. The time period allows the story to explore how wartime atrocities continue to affect survivors long after the fighting ends.

• setting
• post-war
• europe
• atmosphere
• world war 2