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Waiting for Anya (2020) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Waiting for Anya (2020) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 109 min · English
Echo score 66
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Directed by
Ben Cookson
Starring
Anjelica Huston, Elsa Zylberstein, Tómas Lemarquis, Jean Reno, Joséphine de La Baume, Thomas Kretschmann
Budget
$10M

During World War II, a young boy and a courageous widow work together to guide Jewish children to safety in Spain. Facing immense danger, they participate in a risky operation, smuggling the children across the border while navigating a landscape of conflict and uncertainty. Their shared determination and resilience offer a beacon of hope amidst the devastation of war.

On this page (10)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Character relationship map
  4. 4 Where & when it takes place
  5. 5 Themes & meaning (3)
  6. 6 Character & meaning questions
  7. 7 The book behind the movie
  8. 8 Movie threads
  9. 9 Movies like Waiting for Anya
  10. 10 Every angle
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3 main characters · contains spoilers

Waiting for Anya Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Waiting for Anya (2020), 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.

  • Benjamin

    played by Frederick Schmidt

    Benjamin is a devoted father driven by love and determination to reunite with his daughter, Anya. His character embodies resilience and courage, constantly facing moral dilemmas as he balances his paternal instincts with the duty to protect the children hidden in his village.

    • 👨‍👧 Fatherhood
    • 🛡️ Protector
  • Jo

    played by Noah Schnapp

    Jo is a fearless young shepherd who represents the voice of justice in the narrative. His strong sense of morality compels him to aid Benjamin and Horcada, displaying bravery and ingenuity as he navigates the dangers of war to protect the children he discovers.

    • 🐑 Shepherd
    • 💪 Courage
  • Horcada

    played by Anjelica Huston

    Widow Horcada is a central figure in the village, embodying strength and compassion. She plays a crucial role in safeguarding the hidden Jewish children, showcasing her maternal instincts and willingness to take risks for their safety, as well as her support for Benjamin’s endeavors.

    • 👩‍👧‍👦 Caregiver
    • 🕊️ Sacrifice

Last updated: October 23, 2026 at 21:14

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3 characters · 3 connections · contains spoilers

Waiting for Anya Character Relationship Map

Who is connected to whom in Waiting for Anya: 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
BBenjaminFrederick SchmidtAAnyaJJoNoah Schnapp

Last updated: October 23, 2026 at 21:14

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Setting

Where and When Does Waiting for Anya Take Place?

The setting of Waiting for Anya (2020): 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

Summer of 1942

The movie is set during the summer of 1942, a pivotal year in World War II when Nazi forces occupied much of Europe. This time was marked by the struggle for survival, with civilians facing the threat of persecution and the impact of war on daily life, forcing individuals to make harrowing choices to protect their loved ones.

Location

Pyrenees, France

The story takes place in the scenic Pyrenees region of France, characterized by its dramatic mountain landscapes and small, tight-knit villages. This idyllic setting contrasts sharply with the harsh realities of World War II, providing a backdrop for both tension and hope as characters navigate the dangers of Nazi occupation.

  • 🏔️ Mountains
  • 🇫🇷 France

Last updated: October 23, 2026 at 21:14

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3 major themes

Waiting for Anya Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Waiting for Anya (2020) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Hope

    The theme of hope is central to the narrative, as characters fight against overwhelming odds to protect innocent lives. Despite the oppressive environment of war, the bonds formed between Benjamin, Horcada, and Jo illustrate the resilience of the human spirit and the belief in a better future.

  • Friendship

    Friendship emerges as a powerful theme throughout the story, particularly in the relationship between Jo and Anya. Their bond exemplifies loyalty and courage, as they both risk their lives for each other amidst the chaos, showcasing how connections can provide strength in trying times.

  • Innocence

    The innocence of the children in peril serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war. Their plight highlights the stark contrast between the carefree nature of childhood and the brutal reality imposed by adult conflicts, prompting characters to take extraordinary measures for their safety.

Last updated: October 23, 2026 at 21:14

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Character & theme questions

Waiting for Anya Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Waiting for Anya (2020): 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 does the story take place?

The movie is set in the Pyrenees region of France, a scenic mountain area characterized by dramatic landscapes and small, tight-knit villages. This idyllic mountain setting creates a stark contrast with the harsh realities of World War II, providing both a backdrop for tension and a symbol of hope as characters navigate the dangers of Nazi occupation.

  • pyrenees
  • france
  • mountains
  • village
  • setting
Q2

When is the movie set?

The story takes place during the summer of 1942, a pivotal year in World War II when Nazi forces occupied much of Europe. This period was marked by intense struggle for survival, with civilians facing persecution and the constant impact of war forcing individuals to make harrowing choices to protect their loved ones.

  • 1942
  • summer
  • world war 2
  • wwii
  • nazi occupation
Q3

What role does hope play in the movie?

Hope is the central theme of the narrative, as characters fight against overwhelming odds to protect innocent lives. Despite the oppressive environment of war, the bonds formed between Benjamin, Horcada, and Jo illustrate the resilience of the human spirit and the belief in a better future.

  • hope
  • resilience
  • human spirit
  • better future
Q4

How is friendship portrayed in the film?

Friendship emerges as a powerful theme, particularly in the relationship between Jo and Anya. Their bond exemplifies loyalty and courage as both risk their lives for each other amidst the chaos of war, showing how connections can provide strength in trying times.

  • friendship
  • loyalty
  • jo
  • anya
  • bond
Q5

How does the movie address the theme of innocence?

The innocence of the children in peril serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war. Their plight highlights the stark contrast between the carefree nature of childhood and the brutal reality imposed by adult conflicts, prompting characters to take extraordinary measures for their safety.

  • children
  • innocence
  • war
  • peril
  • protection
Q6

Who is Benjamin and what is his role?

Benjamin (Frederick Schmidt) is a devoted father driven by love and determination to reunite with his daughter Anya. His character embodies resilience and courage as he balances his paternal instincts with the duty to protect the Jewish children hidden in his village, constantly facing moral dilemmas throughout the occupation.

  • benjamin
  • frederick schmidt
  • father
  • anya
  • protector
Q7

Who is Jo and what does he do?

Jo (Noah Schnapp) is a fearless young shepherd who represents the voice of justice in the narrative. His strong sense of morality compels him to aid Benjamin and Horcada, displaying bravery and ingenuity as he navigates the dangers of war to protect the children he discovers.

  • jo
  • noah schnapp
  • shepherd
  • bravery
  • justice
Q8

Who is Horcada and what is her importance?

Horcada (Anjelica Huston) is a widow who serves as a central figure in the village, embodying strength and compassion. She plays a crucial role in safeguarding the hidden Jewish children, showcasing her maternal instincts and willingness to take significant risks for their safety while supporting Benjamin's mission.

  • horcada
  • anjelica huston
  • widow
  • protector
  • children
Q9

What is life like in the village during Nazi occupation?

The small mountain villages of the Pyrenees faced immense danger during Nazi occupation in 1942. Civilians lived under constant threat of persecution, forced to make difficult decisions to protect vulnerable people. The tranquil mountain setting contrasts sharply with the daily terror of war, making the characters' secret operations to smuggle children to safety both dangerous and morally crucial.

  • occupation
  • nazi
  • village
  • danger
  • persecution
Q10

What is the emotional tone of the movie?

The tone is predominantly hopeful due to the central mission's success and the theme of resilience, but this exists within a framework of high emotional weight from the subject matter. The ending is bittersweet; while Anya's return is a happy resolution, it is contextualized by the immense suffering of the war and the sacrifices made, blending loss and victory to define the emotional arc.

  • tone
  • emotional
  • bittersweet
  • hope
  • sacrifice

Movie threads

More Movies Like Waiting for Anya, by Mood & Story

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

Movies about Wartime Moral Courage like Waiting for Anya

Ordinary people find hope and purpose through quiet acts of defiance against oppression. If you liked the quiet heroism and emotional stakes of Waiting for Anya, explore other movies about ordinary people defying occupation and aiding refugees. These similar WWII dramas and thrillers focus on themes of survival, sacrifice, and the bittersweet hope found in resistance.

  • hopeful
  • tense
  • courageous
  • somber
  • uplifting
  • anxious
  • Tone: hopeful, tense, bittersweet
  • Pacing: steady, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern centers on a clear, dangerous mission undertaken by unlikely heroes, often civilians. The straightforward plot focuses on the logistical and emotional challenges of their operation, building steady tension against a backdrop of pervasive threat. The journey is defined by heavy emotional choices, culminating in an ending that blends hard-won victory with poignant loss.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on hope as an act of defiance. They balance a tense, anxious mood with an uplifting core of human resilience, creating a coherent experience of emotional weight and steady pacing centered on moral choices in extreme circumstances.

Coming-of-Age Stories in Wartime like Waiting for Anya

Young protagonists are forced to grow up quickly, bearing the weight of adult responsibilities. For viewers who appreciated the young hero's journey in Waiting for Anya, this list features similar films about children and teenagers coming of age during wartime. These dramas focus on the heavy emotional weight of losing innocence and taking on adult responsibilities for survival.

  • somber
  • courageous
  • anxious
  • hopeful
  • desperate
  • coming of age
  • Tone: somber, hopeful, tense
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a young protagonist whose world is defined by an external crisis, often war or occupation. Their personal growth is accelerated by the demands of survival, involving risky tasks and moral dilemmas typically reserved for adults. The story arc is a direct, character-driven journey from relative innocence to a hardened, wiser perspective, marked by sacrifice and poignant reunions or losses.

Why they belong together: These films share a specific emotional arc: a young character's rapid maturation under extreme duress. They blend the anxious tension of survival with the somber mood of lost innocence, creating a powerful and coherent viewing experience defined by its heavy emotional weight and courageous young protagonists.

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Movies Like Waiting for Anya

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Every angle

Waiting for Anya (2020) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Waiting for Anya 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.

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