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Waiting for the Barbarians (2020) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Waiting for the Barbarians (2020) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 112 min · English
Echo score 56
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Directed by
Ciro Guerra
Starring
Greta Scacchi, David Dencik, Robert Pattinson, Mark Rylance, Johnny Depp, Harry Melling

In a remote frontier settlement, a seasoned Magistrate looks forward to a peaceful retirement from his duties along the border. His expectations are disrupted by the arrival of a shrewd Colonel, who brings unsettling news and unsettling actions. The Magistrate is then compelled to examine the oppressive nature of the empire he serves and question his own values as he witnesses the consequences of its power.

Drama Cast, crew & box office
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 (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 The book behind the movie
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Every angle
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4 main characters · contains spoilers

Waiting for the Barbarians Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Waiting for the Barbarians (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.

  • The Magistrate

    The Magistrate serves as the central character, grappling with his position of power amidst rising tensions caused by Colonel Joll. He initially tries to uphold peace through diplomacy, but as events unfold, he finds himself increasingly conflicted and weakened by the brutality he witnesses. His character arc illustrates the struggle between authority and conscience, ultimately leading him to question the values of the Empire he represents.

    • 👨‍⚖️ Authority
    • 💔 Conflict
    • 🧭 Moral Compass

  • Colonel Joll

    played by Johnny Depp

    Colonel Joll is portrayed as a mysterious and malevolent force determined to exert control over the nomadic tribes. His brutal tactics and thirst for violence embody the oppressive nature of imperialism. As the antagonist, he represents unchecked power and the dehumanization that often accompanies military might.

    • ⚔️ Antagonist
    • 🦹‍♂️ Oppression
    • 🔥 Brutality

  • Officer Mandel

    played by Robert Pattinson

    Officer Mandel, as Colonel Joll's subordinate, epitomizes ruthless enforcement of the Empire's will. He takes command of the fort after Joll's departure, reflecting the ongoing cycle of violence and oppression. His character underscores the consequences of blind loyalty to a corrupt system, as he further escalates the suffering of the townspeople.

    • 👮‍♂️ Enforcer
    • ❗ Violence
    • 🔒 Control

  • The Girl

    played by Gana Bayarsaikhan

    The Girl is a former prisoner whose victimization highlights the brutalities of the Empire. Her painful past and quest for autonomy underscore the film's themes of suffering and resilience. Though initially perceived as a symbol of vulnerability, her journey reflects strength in choosing to return to her people despite the trauma she has endured.

    • 👩‍🦰 Survivor
    • 🌌 Autonomy
    • 💔 Trauma

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:56

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Setting

Where and When Does Waiting for the Barbarians Take Place?

The setting of Waiting for the Barbarians (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

The time period is not explicitly defined in the summary. However, it suggests a historical backdrop where empires are engaged in territorial control and conflict with indigenous tribes. The social dynamics reflect a time ripe with colonial aspirations and the consequences of imperial ambitions on both oppressors and those they seek to dominate.

Location

Unnamed Empire's desert frontier, Fort

The movie takes place in the harsh landscapes of an unnamed Empire's desert frontier, characterized by unforgiving terrain and extreme conditions. The fort serves as a military outpost where the fragile peace is maintained, but also becomes a site of conflict and brutality. This barren setting highlights the struggles of both the oppressors and the oppressed, emphasizing the desolation felt by the characters.

  • 🏜️ Desert
  • 🏰 Fort

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:56

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3 major themes

Waiting for the Barbarians Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

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

  • Justice

    The theme of justice is central to the narrative, as The Magistrate grapples with the consequences of Colonel Joll’s ruthless actions. His struggle to maintain ethical integrity in the face of systemic brutality highlights the moral dilemmas faced by those in power. Ultimately, the story reflects the idea that true justice often eludes those who wield authority, especially amidst a backdrop of war and oppression.

  • Compassion

    Compassion emerges as a critical theme through The Magistrate's actions toward the former prisoner and his efforts to mend relationships with the nomadic tribes. It underscores the struggle to maintain humanity in an environment marked by cruelty. His attempts to help others, despite being misunderstood, emphasize the enduring power of kindness in the face of overwhelming despair.

  • Rebellion

    The theme of rebellion is prevalent as the disparate nomadic tribes unite against their oppressors. The story illustrates the inherent drive to resist tyranny and reclaim autonomy, culminating in a collective uprising against the Empire's forces. This reflects a broader commentary on the fight for identity and rights against colonial aggression.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:56

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Character & theme questions

Waiting for the Barbarians Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Waiting for the Barbarians (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 is the story set?

The movie takes place in the harsh desert frontier of an unnamed Empire, centered around a fort that serves as a military outpost. The barren, unforgiving landscape emphasizes the desolation and isolation experienced by the characters, highlighting the struggles of both the oppressors and the oppressed.

  • desert frontier
  • fort
  • setting
  • empire
Q2

What time period does the movie depict?

The exact time period is not explicitly defined, but the story reflects a historical era of colonial expansion where empires engage in territorial control and conflict with indigenous populations. The social dynamics mirror periods of imperial ambition and the consequences of domination.

  • time period
  • historical
  • colonial
  • empire era
Q3

What does the movie say about justice?

Justice is the central theme, as The Magistrate struggles with the consequences of Colonel Joll's ruthless actions. His fight to maintain ethical integrity against systemic brutality illustrates how true justice often escapes those in power during times of war and oppression.

  • justice
  • magistrate
  • colonel joll
  • moral dilemma
  • authority
Q4

How is compassion portrayed in the story?

Compassion emerges through The Magistrate's efforts to help a former prisoner and mend relationships with nomadic tribes. Despite being misunderstood, his attempts to maintain humanity in a cruel environment demonstrate the enduring power of kindness against overwhelming despair.

  • compassion
  • magistrate
  • kindness
  • former prisoner
Q5

What role does rebellion play in the narrative?

Rebellion appears as the nomadic tribes unite against their oppressors, driven by an inherent drive to resist tyranny and reclaim autonomy. The story depicts their collective uprising against Empire forces as a broader commentary on fighting for identity and rights against colonial aggression.

  • rebellion
  • uprising
  • nomadic tribes
  • resistance
  • empire
Q6

Who is The Magistrate and what is his role?

The Magistrate is the central character, a seasoned official who had looked forward to a peaceful retirement along the border. He initially tries to uphold peace through diplomacy but becomes increasingly conflicted as he witnesses the brutality of Colonel Joll, ultimately questioning the values of the Empire he serves.

  • magistrate
  • main character
  • protagonist
  • diplomacy
Q7

Who is Colonel Joll and what does he represent?

Colonel Joll is the antagonist, a mysterious and malevolent figure who arrives at the fort with unsettling actions and news. He embodies the oppressive nature of imperialism through his brutal tactics and thirst for violence, representing unchecked power and the dehumanization that accompanies military might.

  • colonel joll
  • antagonist
  • imperialism
  • power
  • oppression
Q8

Who is The Girl in the story?

The Girl is a former prisoner whose victimization highlights the brutalities of the Empire. Despite suffering trauma, she demonstrates resilience by choosing to return to her people. Her character underscores the film's themes of suffering and strength in the face of oppression.

  • the girl
  • former prisoner
  • resilience
  • victimization
Q9

Who is Officer Mandel?

Officer Mandel is Colonel Joll's subordinate who takes command of the fort after Joll's departure. He epitomizes ruthless enforcement of the Empire's will, further escalating the suffering of the townspeople and demonstrating the consequences of blind loyalty to a corrupt system.

  • officer mandel
  • colonel joll
  • loyal
  • oppression
Q10

What is the overall tone and emotional weight of the film?

The film carries a bleak, somber tone with high intensity and slow pacing that emphasizes psychological tension. It deals with themes of injustice, trauma, and systemic violence, creating an emotionally heavy experience without redemption, depicting a straightforward descent into despair.

  • tone
  • emotional
  • bleak
  • heavy
  • psychological

Movie threads

More Movies Like Waiting for the Barbarians, by Mood & Story

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

Movies about moral conscience under tyranny like Waiting for the Barbarians

Stories of individuals confronting the brutal reality of the power they serve. If you liked the moral conflict in Waiting for the Barbarians, explore these similar films. This list features slow-burning, heavy dramas where characters grapple with their role in an oppressive system, leading to profound existential crises and bleak outcomes.

  • oppressive
  • moral dilemma
  • somber
  • tense
  • isolated
  • existential
  • Tone: bleak, tense, somber
  • Pacing: slow, deliberate, atmospheric
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically centers on a protagonist, often an official or insider, who witnesses the cruelty of the institution they are part of. This triggers a crisis of conscience, but their attempts at resistance or atonement are futile against the overwhelming force of the system, resulting in a personal and often bleak downfall.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared focus on the internal collapse of a character's morality when faced with institutional evil. They share a slow, deliberate pacing that emphasizes psychological tension, a bleak and oppressive tone, and a heavy emotional weight derived from themes of injustice and complicity.

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2014
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Drifting movie poster

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The Holy Innocents movie poster

The Holy Innocents

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Atmospheric movies with isolated settings like Waiting for the Barbarians

Cinematic journeys into remote, harsh settings where civilization's fragility is exposed. Fans of the desolate, tense atmosphere in Waiting for the Barbarians will appreciate these selections. These movies use remote, oppressive settings to explore themes of power, morality, and human fragility, creating a similarly heavy and unsettling viewing experience.

  • isolated
  • desolate
  • unsettling
  • atmospheric
  • claustrophobic
  • harsh
  • Tone: bleak, unsettling, melancholic
  • Pacing: slow, atmospheric build
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread unfold in confined or remote locations—frontier outposts, isolated compounds, or barren landscapes. The narrative tension arises from both external threats and the internal psychological decay of characters trapped in these spaces, leading to a pervasive sense of doom and existential crisis.

Why they belong together: These films share a powerful, atmospheric vibe defined by a sense of place. They utilize slow pacing to build a palpable mood of unease and isolation, coupled with high intensity derived from psychological tension and themes of brutality or survival. The overall experience is one of profound bleakness and heaviness.

The Wasteland movie poster

The Wasteland

2022
Evil Does Not Exist movie poster

Evil Does Not Exist

2024
On the Beach movie poster

On the Beach

1959
Time of the Wolf movie poster

Time of the Wolf

2004
Starve Acre movie poster

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Loveless movie poster

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Every angle

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

Everything about Waiting for the Barbarians 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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