Things to Come (2016) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The story spans from the 1940s through 2036, beginning during the prelude to World War II and extending nearly a century into the future. This timeline allows the narrative to depict the full arc of global conflict, societal collapse, and eventual rebuilding of civilization.

• time period
• 1940s
• 2036
• future
• world war

The primary setting is Everytown, a fictional city in southern England that represents the decline of civilization due to war. Key locations also include Floss Valley, a battleground for resources, and Iraq, which symbolizes the expansion of civilization and the quest for peace beyond war-torn landscapes.

• setting
• everytown
• england
• floss valley
• iraq
• locations

The movie explores three interconnected themes: War and Peace examining the catastrophic impact of conflict and humanity's longing for harmony; Human Advancement highlighting technology's role in resilience and the quest for space travel; and Leadership and Responsibility focusing on the burden of guiding a fractured society through crisis.

• themes
• war
• peace
• technology
• leadership
• advancement

John Cabal is the central character, initially a Royal Air Force pilot who evolves into a visionary leader. He becomes the driving force behind 'Wings Over the World,' transitioning from soldier to peacemaker as he guides society toward progress and grapples with the moral implications of leadership.

• john cabal
• protagonist
• pilot
• leader
• wings over the world

Civilization experiences a dramatic collapse due to global war, plunging into a dark age of chaos and resource scarcity. The film then depicts the subsequent resurgence of hope and innovation, culminating in a vision of a harmonious future with achievements like space travel.

• civilization
• war
• collapse
• society
• rebuilding
• future

Technology represents humanity's resilience and creativity throughout the narrative. The story presents scientific progress as intertwined with the quest for peace, while also inviting reflection on the tension between relentless advancement and its ethical implications.

• technology
• progress
• science
• advancement
• ethics
• space travel

Theotocopulos is a sculptor who serves as a critical voice challenging society's ambitions for progress. His presence represents the need for introspection amid rapid change, urging the populace to reconsider the relentless pursuit of advancement and maintain balance between innovation and ethical responsibility.

• theotocopulos
• sculptor
• critic
• progress
• ethics

Oswald Cabal is the grandson of John Cabal and represents the new generation tasked with carrying forward their forebears' vision. As a leader in a revitalized Everytown, he embraces exploration and scientific achievement while grappling with the looming potential for disaster, embodying the challenges of hope amid dire predictions.

• oswald cabal
• grandson
• new generation
• leader
• everytown

Wings Over the World is the organization led by John Cabal that guides a fractured society toward progress and peace. It represents the central effort to rebuild civilization after the collapse caused by global war, serving as the cornerstone of the film's exploration of leadership and collective human destiny.

• wings over the world
• organization
• john cabal
• leadership
• society

Everytown serves as a fictional representation of civilization in decline, symbolically located in southern England. It embodies the broader human experience of war's devastating effects on society and the subsequent struggle to rebuild, functioning as both a specific location and a universal symbol of human settlement.

• everytown
• england
• civilization
• decline
• symbolism

The film portrays war as a catastrophic force that destroys civilization and creates widespread suffering, yet also sparks the human desire for peace and harmony. The narrative traces the journey from the horrors of warfare to the emergence of hope, emphasizing war's role as a catalyst for both destruction and renewal.

• war
• conflict
• destruction
• peace
• society

The film conveys that leadership carries profound responsibility in times of crisis, showing how leaders must guide fractured societies toward progress while grappling with moral implications. John Cabal's transformation from pilot to leader illustrates the burden of steering humanity's collective fate and the ethical costs of guiding civilization through existential challenges.

• leadership
• responsibility
• john cabal
• morality
• guidance