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The Weekend Away (2022) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Weekend Away (2022) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2022 · 89 min · English
Echo score 55
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Directed by
Kim Farrant
Starring
Amar Bukvic, Christina Ulfsparre, Leighton Meester, Luke Norris, Ziad Bakri

A weekend getaway to Croatia takes a dark turn when a woman finds herself accused of murder. Determined to prove her innocence, she begins a frantic search for the truth, uncovering a web of deceit and long-held secrets along the way. As she investigates, she’s forced to confront a devastating truth that threatens to destroy everything she thought she knew.

On this page (9)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Character relationship map
  4. 4 Where & when it takes place
  5. 5 Themes & meaning (3)
  6. 6 Character & meaning questions
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Movies like The Weekend Away
  9. 9 Every angle
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5 main characters · contains spoilers

The Weekend Away Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Weekend Away (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.

  • Beth

    played by Leighton Meester

    Beth is a new mother struggling with the weight of her marriage and personal expectations. Throughout her harrowing journey in Croatia, she transforms from a passive participant to an empowered woman determined to reclaim her life. Her character arc revolves around overcoming betrayal and embracing her strength.

    • 👩‍👧 Motherhood
    • 💔 Heartbreak
    • 🏃‍♀️ Resilience
  • Rob

    played by Luke Norris

    Rob is Beth's husband, whose infidelity adds layers of betrayal and complexity to the storyline. His actions lead to a fatal confrontation that ultimately drives Beth's quest for truth. He represents the toxic aspects of marriage and the painful realities of broken trust.

    • 💔 Infidelity
    • 🚫 Betrayal
    • 👨‍👩‍👧 Family
  • Kate

    played by Christina Ulfsparre

    Kate, Beth's best friend, initiates the trip to Croatia, inadvertently setting off a chain of events that leads to her disappearance. Her carefree demeanor masks deeper issues, and her fate raises questions about friendship and loyalty. Beth’s journey is catalyzed by her quest to uncover the truth about what happened to Kate.

    • 👭 Friendship
    • 🌪️ Carefree
    • 📉 Conflict
  • Zain

    played by Ziad Bakri

    Zain, a compassionate Syrian taxi driver, stands out as a beacon of support for Beth during her crisis. Despite his own struggles, he becomes an ally, helping her navigate the treacherous landscape of betrayal and deceit. His character embodies resilience and loyalty.

    • 🚖 Support
    • 🌍 Compassion
    • 🛡️ Trust
  • Pavic

    played by Amar Bukvic

    Pavic is a cop who plays a significant role in the cover-up surrounding Kate's disappearance. His character highlights themes of corruption within authority, adding a layer of complexity to Beth's fight for justice. His dismissive attitude towards Beth showcases the challenges faced by victims seeking help.

    • 👮 Corruption
    • 🚨 Authority
    • 🔒 Secrecy

Last updated: October 23, 2026 at 17:00

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7 characters · 10 connections · contains spoilers

The Weekend Away Character Relationship Map

Who is connected to whom in The Weekend Away: family, love, friendships, rivalries and hidden ties, colour-coded. Pick a character to see their side of the story, or a connection to see what brings two characters together.

How much of the story to show
BBethLeighton MeesterRRobLuke NorrisKKateChristina UlfsparreZZainZiad BakriPPavicAmar BukvicJJaySSebastian

Last updated: October 23, 2026 at 17:00

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Setting

Where and When Does The Weekend Away Take Place?

The setting of The Weekend Away (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 movie does not specify a precise time period, focusing instead on contemporary issues faced by the characters. Themes of modern relationships, betrayal, and personal growth resonate in the story as it unfolds in present-day Croatia.

Location

Croatia

Croatia is known for its stunning Adriatic coastline and rich historical heritage. Popular for its picturesque landscapes and vibrant culture, it is a perfect getaway destination. The country’s natural beauty often captivates travelers, making it an ideal backdrop for personal journeys and revelations.

  • 🌊 Croatia
  • 🏖️ Vacation
  • 🚖 Taxi

Last updated: October 23, 2026 at 17:00

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3 major themes

The Weekend Away Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

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

  • Betrayal

    Betrayal is a central theme as Beth grapples with the shocking disloyalty from both her husband and her best friend. The emotional turmoil she experiences reflects the deep impact of trust violations in personal relationships. This theme drives her journey for truth and justice against the backdrop of deception.

  • Survival

    Beth’s fight for survival highlights her resilience in the face of danger and uncertainty. As she navigates the complexities of her circumstances, her determination to uncover the truth showcases her strength. This theme emphasizes the instinct to protect oneself and loved ones amidst chaos.

  • Discovery

    The theme of discovery unveils the layers of mystery surrounding Kate's disappearance and the dark truths behind her relationships. Beth's journey is one of self-discovery as she confronts her insecurities and learns to reclaim her identity. It ultimately leads to revelations that transform her life.

Last updated: October 23, 2026 at 17:00

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Character & theme questions

The Weekend Away Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Weekend Away (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 Weekend Away set?

The movie takes place in Croatia, specifically along its stunning Adriatic coastline. The picturesque landscapes and vibrant culture of this vacation destination serve as a striking backdrop for the story's intense events, contrasting the beautiful setting with the dark mysteries that unfold.

  • croatia
  • adriatic coast
  • setting
  • location
  • vacation destination
Q2

What time period is The Weekend Away set in?

The movie is set in contemporary, present-day Croatia. There is no specific year mentioned, but it clearly takes place in modern times, focusing on current issues like modern relationships, betrayal, and personal growth.

  • present day
  • contemporary
  • modern
  • croatia
  • time period
Q3

What are the main themes in The Weekend Away?

The movie explores three central themes: Betrayal, as Beth discovers disloyalty from both her husband and best friend; Survival, highlighting her resilience while navigating danger and false accusations; and Discovery, which follows her journey of uncovering dark truths about those around her while also finding her own strength.

  • betrayal
  • survival
  • discovery
  • themes
  • trust
  • deception
Q4

Who is Beth in The Weekend Away?

Beth is the protagonist, portrayed by Leighton Meester, who is a new mother struggling with the expectations of marriage and motherhood. The film follows her transformation from a passive participant in her own life to an empowered woman determined to reclaim her identity after discovering devastating betrayals.

  • beth
  • leighton meester
  • protagonist
  • new mother
  • empowerment
Q5

Who is Rob in The Weekend Away?

Rob is Beth's husband, portrayed by Luke Norris. His infidelity becomes a central element of betrayal in the story, adding layers of complexity to the narrative. His actions set in motion events that drive Beth's desperate quest for truth and justice.

  • rob
  • luke norris
  • husband
  • infidelity
  • betrayal
Q6

Who is Kate in The Weekend Away?

Kate is Beth's best friend, played by Christina Ulfsparre, who initiates the weekend trip to Croatia. Her disappearance sets the entire mystery in motion, and her carefree demeanor masks deeper issues. Her fate becomes the catalyst for Beth's investigation into the truth.

  • kate
  • christina ulfsparre
  • best friend
  • disappearance
  • missing person
Q7

Who is Zain in The Weekend Away?

Zain is a Syrian taxi driver played by Ziad Bakri who becomes a crucial ally to Beth during her crisis. Despite his own struggles as a refugee, he shows compassion and loyalty, helping her navigate the dangerous landscape of betrayal and deceit. He represents hope and humanity amid the film's dark themes.

  • zain
  • ziad bakri
  • taxi driver
  • syrian
  • ally
  • support
Q8

Who is Pavic in The Weekend Away?

Pavic is a police officer in Croatia, played by Amar Bukvic, who becomes involved in the cover-up surrounding Kate's disappearance. His character represents corruption within authority figures and demonstrates the challenges Beth faces when seeking help from institutions meant to protect her.

  • pavic
  • amar bukvic
  • police
  • corrupt cop
  • cover up
  • authority
Q9

What does the Betrayal theme represent in The Weekend Away?

Betrayal serves as the movie's central theme, with Beth experiencing devastating disloyalty from both her husband and her best friend. This theme explores how trust violations deeply impact personal relationships and drive the protagonist's emotional journey toward truth and justice.

  • betrayal
  • trust
  • marriage
  • affair
  • friend
  • loyalty
Q10

How does the Survival theme play out in The Weekend Away?

The Survival theme highlights Beth's resilience as she faces danger, false accusations, and uncertainty. Her determination to uncover the truth and clear her name showcases her inner strength, emphasizing the human instinct to protect oneself and loved ones even amidst overwhelming chaos.

  • survival
  • resilience
  • strength
  • determination
  • danger
  • accusation
Q11

What does the Discovery theme mean in The Weekend Away?

The Discovery theme follows Beth as she unravels the mystery behind Kate's disappearance and uncovers dark truths about her relationships. Her journey is also one of self-discovery, where she confronts her own insecurities and ultimately transforms her life through the revelations she finds.

  • discovery
  • mystery
  • self discovery
  • truth
  • revelation
  • identity
Q12

What is the tone of The Weekend Away?

The movie establishes a high-intensity, tense tone from the start, with the sudden disappearance of Beth's friend creating immediate panic. The pacing is fast and frantic, driven by frequent reveals and escalating confrontations. Despite the dark themes and emotional weight involving betrayal and wrongful accusation, the ending provides a cathartic release with a hopeful resolution.

  • tone
  • intensity
  • thriller
  • suspense
  • emotional
  • happy ending

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Weekend Away, by Mood & Story

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

Movies about being falsely accused like The Weekend Away

Ordinary people fighting to clear their name against a ticking clock. If you enjoyed the desperate search for truth in The Weekend Away, explore more movies like it. These films feature ordinary people wrongly accused of a crime, forcing them into a frantic investigation against a corrupt system to prove their innocence and survive.

  • frantic
  • suspenseful
  • paranoid
  • desperate
  • methodical
  • cathartic
  • Tone: tense, paranoid
  • Pacing: fast, urgent
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically begin with a shocking inciting event that wrongly implicates the protagonist. The plot follows their desperate, often solo investigation, as they uncover layers of deception while being pursued by authorities. The journey is one of paranoia and rising stakes, culminating in a confrontation that exposes the real culprit.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here based on the core narrative pattern of a wrongful accusation and the subsequent frantic investigation. They share a high-intensity, tense tone, a fast pace driven by urgency, and a heavy emotional weight stemming from the protagonist's isolation and fight for survival.

Female-led investigative thrillers similar to The Weekend Away

Stories where determined women become amateur detectives to solve a dark mystery. Fans of The Weekend Away will enjoy these similar movies featuring resilient women at the heart of a mystery. These films focus on a female protagonist's determined quest for answers, often involving personal betrayal and systemic corruption, blending suspense with heavy emotional drama.

  • methodical
  • suspenseful
  • anxious
  • determined
  • psychological
  • unsettling
  • Tone: tense, unsettling
  • Pacing: steady, methodical
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a woman, often an ordinary person, who is thrust into an investigative role due to a personal tragedy or betrayal. The plot is methodical, as she pieces together clues that frequently reveal deeper, more painful secrets about people she trusted. The journey is as much about emotional survival and rediscovering strength as it is about solving the central mystery.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their focus on a female lead driving the investigation, combined with a tense, suspenseful mood. They share themes of betrayal, psychological strain, and a methodical uncovering of secrets, resulting in a viewing experience that is both intellectually engaging and emotionally heavy.

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Movies Like The Weekend Away

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

Everything about The Weekend Away 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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