Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Touchy Feely (2013) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Touchy Feely (2013) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 89 min · English
JustWatch #8,613 6
Directed by
Lynn Shelton
Starring
Josh Pais, Elliot Page, Scoot McNairy, Rosemarie DeWitt

A dentist finds he has an unexpected ability to alleviate his patients’ discomfort. Simultaneously, his sister struggles with a profound aversion to touch, causing a growing distance between them as they grapple with their contrasting approaches to healing and connection. The situation creates a poignant exploration of human interaction and the complexities of empathy.

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 Touchy Feely
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Touchy Feely (2013)

Where can you watch Touchy Feely? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Philo and Hoopla: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

4 main characters · contains spoilers

Touchy Feely Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Touchy Feely (2013), 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.

  • Abby

    Abby is a massage therapist grappling with an unsettling aversion to human contact that strains her relationship with Jesse. Initially seeking to maintain closeness, her journey reflects a quest for self-discovery and healing. Her character embodies the struggle between emotional vulnerability and the fear of intimacy.

    • 💆‍♀️ Therapist
    • ❤️ Love Struggles
  • Jesse

    Jesse is Abby's boyfriend who finds himself increasingly distanced as Abby's aversion to touch takes a toll on their relationship. He embodies the pain of unreciprocated love, showing willingness to engage emotionally, but ultimately faces rejection. His character reflects the longing for connection amidst growing separation.

    • 💔 Heartbroken
    • 🙁 Despair
  • Paul

    Paul, Abby's brother, navigates the struggles of running a family dentistry practice while facing personal challenges. His journey of self-discovery unfolds as he seeks to enhance his skills and eventually finds unexpected romantic interest with Bronwyn. His character represents resilience and the pursuit of professional fulfillment.

    • 🦷 Dentist
    • 🌟 Growth
  • Jenny

    Jenny is Paul’s daughter who witnesses her father's difficulties and seeks comfort in her relationships. Her emotional arc is defined by her attempts to connect with her friends and deal with the fallout from her family's struggles. Jenny's journey illustrates the impact of familial challenges on youth.

    • 👧 Daughter
    • 🎶 Music Lover

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:14

Was this helpful?

Setting

Where and When Does Touchy Feely Take Place?

The setting of Touchy Feely (2013): 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 is set in contemporary times, reflecting modern relationship dynamics and the challenges of emotional and physical intimacy. It captures the complexities of navigating love and personal growth in today's world.

Location

Park

The park serves as a significant setting for Abby's journey towards overcoming her aversion to physical touch. It symbolizes a space of freedom and connection, contrasting with the emotional distance she feels in her relationship with Jesse. Parks are often known for their tranquility and the opportunity for introspection.

  • 🌳 Nature
  • 🏙️ Urban

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:14

Was this helpful?

2 major themes

Touchy Feely Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Touchy Feely (2013) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Emotional Distance

    The theme of emotional distance is central to Abby and Jesse's relationship. Their bond deteriorates due to Abby's aversion to human contact, leading to a breakup and self-exploration. This theme reflects on how personal struggles can impact romantic connections and the pursuit of intimacy.

  • Escapism

    The use of ecstasy pills highlights the theme of escapism in the film. Characters seek to escape their emotional pain and relationship challenges through substances. This action ultimately complicates their situations and illustrates the conflicting nature of seeking relief.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:14

Was this helpful?

Character & theme questions

Touchy Feely Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Touchy Feely (2013): 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

What is the significance of the park in the movie?

The park serves as a significant setting for Abby's journey towards overcoming her aversion to physical touch. It symbolizes a space of freedom and connection, contrasting with the emotional distance she feels in her relationship with Jesse. The tranquil environment represents introspection and the possibility of healing.

  • park setting
  • nature
  • healing space
  • Abby journey
Q2

When is the movie set?

The movie is set in contemporary times, reflecting modern relationship dynamics and the challenges of emotional and physical intimacy. It captures the complexities of navigating love and personal growth in today's world.

  • contemporary
  • modern
  • time period
  • current day
Q3

What does Emotional Distance mean in the film?

The theme of emotional distance is central to Abby and Jesse's relationship. Their bond deteriorates due to Abby's aversion to human contact, leading to a breakup and self-exploration. This theme reflects on how personal struggles can impact romantic connections and the pursuit of intimacy.

  • emotional distance
  • relationship strain
  • intimacy
  • Abby Jesse relationship
Q4

How does the film explore escapism?

The use of ecstasy pills highlights the theme of escapism in the film. Characters seek to escape their emotional pain and relationship challenges through substances. This action ultimately complicates their situations and illustrates the conflicting nature of seeking relief.

  • escapism
  • substance use
  • ecstasy
  • avoidance
  • coping mechanism
Q5

Who is Abby in Touchy Feely?

Abby is a massage therapist grappling with an unsettling aversion to human contact that strains her relationship with Jesse. Initially seeking to maintain closeness, her journey reflects a quest for self-discovery and healing. Her character embodies the struggle between emotional vulnerability and the fear of intimacy.

  • Abby
  • massage therapist
  • touch aversion
  • protagonist
Q6

Who is Jesse in relation to Abby?

Jesse is Abby's boyfriend who finds himself increasingly distanced as Abby's aversion to touch takes a toll on their relationship. He embodies the pain of unreciprocated love, showing willingness to engage emotionally, but ultimately faces rejection. His character reflects the longing for connection amidst growing separation.

  • Jesse
  • Abby boyfriend
  • love interest
  • relationship
Q7

Who is Paul in the story?

Paul is Abby's brother, navigating the struggles of running a family dentistry practice while facing personal challenges. His journey of self-discovery unfolds as he seeks to enhance his skills and eventually finds unexpected romantic interest with Bronwyn. His character represents resilience and the pursuit of professional fulfillment.

  • Paul
  • Abby brother
  • dentist
  • family practice
Q8

What is Jenny's role in the film?

Jenny is Paul's daughter who witnesses her father's difficulties and seeks comfort in her relationships. Her emotional arc is defined by her attempts to connect with her friends and deal with the fallout from her family's struggles. Jenny's journey illustrates the impact of familial challenges on youth.

  • Jenny
  • Paul daughter
  • youth
  • family impact
Q9

What are the main themes explored in the movie?

The movie explores emotional distance and escapism as its primary themes. It examines how personal struggles like Abby's touch aversion impact romantic relationships, while also showing how characters attempt to escape their pain through substances. The story presents a poignant exploration of human interaction and the complexities of empathy.

  • themes
  • emotional connection
  • empathy
  • human interaction

Movie threads

More Movies Like Touchy Feely, by Mood & Story

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

Movies about personal healing like Touchy Feely

Stories of quiet transformation where overcoming a crisis leads to hope. If you enjoyed the quiet, character-driven journey of healing in Touchy Feely, you'll appreciate these other movies. They feature protagonists overcoming internal struggles in a bittersweet, hopeful manner, focusing on personal transformation and the delicate process of reconnecting with life and others.

  • introspective
  • hopeful
  • melancholic
  • yearning
  • intimate
  • serene
  • Tone: bittersweet, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically begin with a character experiencing a sudden or deep-seated personal disruption. The story follows their internal struggle and gradual steps toward healing, often aided by unexpected circumstances or relationships. The resolution is not about a complete victory but a meaningful, hard-won change that allows for a happier, more integrated life.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together because they share a specific emotional arc: starting from a place of personal crisis and moving toward a hopeful, but realistically earned, resolution. They prioritize character depth over plot mechanics and maintain a consistent, bittersweet tone that feels authentic to the healing process.

Movies about family dynamics like Touchy Feely

Explorations of how small, personal changes ripple through family relationships. For viewers who liked the exploration of brother-sister relationships and intimate family dynamics in Touchy Feely, this list features similar films. These dramas center on how personal growth and transformation affect family bonds, offering quiet, thoughtful stories about connection and understanding.

  • intimate
  • serene
  • contemplative
  • introspective
  • yearning
  • hopeful
  • Tone: intimate, contemplative
  • Pacing: steady, serene
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves parallel character arcs within a family unit. One person's struggle or breakthrough inadvertently impacts the others, creating a web of interconnected growth. The story unfolds through quiet conversations and shared moments, building towards a resolution that strengthens or redefines the family ties.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their central theme of family as a microcosm for change. They share a low-key intensity, an intimate scope, and a contemplative pace that allows the audience to sit with the characters and feel the nuanced evolution of their relationships.

If you liked this

Movies Like Touchy Feely

Similar movies to Touchy Feely: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Touchy Feely (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Touchy Feely 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.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app