Things Heard & Seen (2021) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The story begins in Manhattan, where Catherine and George live before relocating to a historic farmhouse in upstate New York's Hudson Valley. This contrast between the bustling city and the isolated countryside is central to the film's atmosphere, as Catherine trades urban sophistication for rural seclusion.

• manhattan
• hudson valley
• upstate new york
• farmhouse
• setting
• locations

The movie is set in the 1980s, a decade that informs the social norms, fashion, and cultural attitudes shown on screen. This period also aligns with the story's exploration of issues like mental health and the facade of suburban perfection.

• 1980s
• time period
• decade
• 1980
• era

The ghostly presence haunting Catherine's new home serves as a metaphor for unresolved trauma and the darker aspects of domestic life. The supernatural forces reflect how the past continues to influence the present, particularly the hidden sins and violence embedded within the house's history.

• supernatural
• ghosts
• haunted house
• trauma
• metaphor
• domestic life

Betrayal is a central theme shown through George's infidelity and his eventual violent actions against Catherine. The film explores how deception destroys trust within marriage, illustrating the devastating repercussions of hidden secrets and the fragility of domestic relationships.

• betrayal
• infidelity
• marriage
• deception
• trust
• george claire

Chaos represents the rapid deterioration of normalcy within the household, as family tensions escalate and hidden secrets unravel. This theme highlights how quickly stability can collapse into violence, reflecting both the external turmoil of the household and George Claire's deteriorating psychological state.

• chaos
• family tension
• violence
• breakdown
• secrets
• escalation

Catherine Claire is an art restorer portrayed by Amanda Seyfried who moves with her husband and daughter to the Hudson Valley farmhouse. Battling bulimia and increasingly isolated in rural life, her journey centers on confronting the haunting legacy of the house and her husband's hidden betrayal.

• catherine claire
• art restorer
• protagonist
• bulimia
• isolation
• amanda seyfried

George Claire is Catherine's husband, a seemingly charming professor who hides a dark nature and infidelity. His duality represents the facade of perfect family life concealing deep-seated issues, as his true nature ultimately leads to catastrophic outcomes.

• george claire
• professor
• husband
• infidelity
• duality
• villain
• james norton

Eddie Vayle is a handyman hired to work on the farmhouse who becomes entangled in the family's drama and engages in an affair with Catherine. His character represents both an escape from domestic strife and the complexities of desire and temptation outside the marriage.

• eddie vayle
• handyman
• affair
• escape
• temptation
• alex neustaedter

Floyd DeBeers is the head of the art history department who becomes a confidant for Catherine as they explore the spiritual realm and the haunted past of the house. His guidance and reassurance play a critical role in helping Catherine understand the supernatural events unfolding around her.

• floyd debeers
• art history
• confidant
• spiritual guidance
• mentor
• f. murphy abraham

The historic Hudson Valley farmhouse functions as more than a setting, it symbolizes the complexities of domestic life and hidden trauma. The house's haunting past mirrors the unresolved issues within Catherine's marriage, serving as a physical manifestation of the darkness lurking beneath the surface of family life.

• farmhouse
• house symbolism
• domestic life
• haunted house
• hidden trauma
• home

Catherine's relocation from Manhattan to the rural farmhouse intensifies her isolation, cutting her off from the support systems she had in the city. This seeder environment amplifies her vulnerability to both supernatural phenomena and her husband's deception, as she becomes increasingly trapped in a world where no one can help.

• rural isolation
• countryside
• isolation
• vulnerability
• trap
• seclusion

Catherine's battle with bulimia is portrayed as a manifestation of her deeper psychological struggles and isolation. The 1980s setting reflects a time when mental health issues were less openly discussed, adding to Catherine's sense of shame and isolation as she grapples with this condition while trapped in her deteriorating marriage.

• bulimia
• eating disorder
• mental health
• catherine
• psychological struggles
• 1980s