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War of the Worlds: Goliath (2014) movie poster

Characters & Themes

War of the Worlds: Goliath (2014) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2014 · 85 min · English
Directed by
Joe Pearson

As the 15th anniversary of H.G. Wells' Martian invasion approaches, humanity prepares for a renewed threat. Leading the defense with a steam-powered arsenal of walkers, biplanes, and zeppelins is Goliath. He faces an overwhelming assault of colossal machines and flying wings in this retro-futuristic epic. Courage, conflict, and sacrifice define his journey as Earth's survival rests on his shoulders.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Characters explained (5)
  2. 2 Where & when it takes place
  3. 3 Themes & meaning (3)
  4. 4 Character & meaning questions
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Movies like War of the Worlds: Goliath
  7. 7 Every angle

5 main characters · contains spoilers

War of the Worlds: Goliath Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of War of the Worlds: Goliath (2014), 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.

  • Eric Wells

    Once a young boy who witnessed the Martian devastation of his hometown, Eric emerges as a determined leader in the face of renewed alien threats. At 25, he is seasoned and resolute, rallying his diverse squadron with strategic insights and unwavering courage. Eric embodies the spirit of human perseverance amidst chaos.

    • 🧑‍✈️ Leader
    • 🌍 Resilience
    • ⚔️ Warrior
  • Sergei Kushnirov

    A Russian general marked by loss, Kushnirov is steadfast and strategic, guiding the Allied Resistance Earth Squadrons with determination. His experience and resolve help mold A.R.E.S. into a fighting force against the Martians. He is a figure of courage who shoulders the responsibility for his team's safety and success.

    • 💪 Strength
    • 🔍 Strategy
    • 🌍 Leadership
  • Theodore Roosevelt

    As the steadfast Secretary of War, Roosevelt exemplifies charismatic leadership and unwavering commitment to humanity's survival. He inspires his troops and demonstrates strength in the face of adversity, embodying the collective effort to fend off both Martian and human conflicts. His character reflects historical resilience.

    • 🦅 Patriotism
    • ⚔️ Strategy
    • 🌍 Leadership
  • Jennifer Carter

    A courageous American Lieutenant, Jennifer is resourceful and unyielding in her dedication to the mission. She displays both valor and intelligence in tactical situations, contributing significantly to A.R.E.S.'s efforts against the Martian forces. Her character adds depth to the team dynamic with her bravery and leadership skills.

    • 👩‍✈️ Courage
    • 🌍 Leadership
    • ⚡ Resourcefulness
  • Nikola Tesla

    The brilliant and enigmatic scientist, Tesla's innovations are pivotal to humanity's survival against alien forces. His character fuses genius and mystery, offering cutting-edge technology that becomes instrumental in countering the Martian threat. Tesla represents the potential of human intellect to combat external challenges.

    • ⚡ Innovation
    • 🧠 Genius
    • 🌍 Technology

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:06

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Setting

Where and When Does War of the Worlds: Goliath Take Place?

The setting of War of the Worlds: Goliath (2014): 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

1914

Set in 1914, the film takes place during a tumultuous period marked by the onset of the Great War in Europe. The atmosphere is charged with uncertainty as fragile alliances begin to fracture, foreshadowing global conflict. This period also reflects humanity's struggle to recover from past catastrophic events, notably the Martian invasion that decimated millions.

Location

Manhattan, New York City, Liberty Island

The movie primarily unfolds in Manhattan, New York City, which is depicted as a bustling metropolis amidst a devastated world following the Martian invasion. Liberty Island, known for its iconic statue, serves as a significant backdrop for pivotal events, symbolizing hope and resilience amid despair. The film captures the stark contrast between human ingenuity and the destructive forces threatening life on Earth.

  • 🌆 City
  • 🌍 Earth

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:06

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3 major themes

War of the Worlds: Goliath Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is War of the Worlds: Goliath (2014) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Conflict

    Conflict permeates the narrative as humanity faces dual threats: the Martian invaders and their own self-destructive tendencies. A.R.E.S. embodies the struggle against overwhelming extraterrestrial forces while wrestling with the implications of warfare and alliances. This theme underscores the resilience and bravery required to confront both external and internal adversities.

  • Sacrifice

    Sacrifice is a pivotal theme, illustrated through the character arcs and their willingness to put themselves at risk for the greater good. The tragic loss of comrades and the emotional toll of warfare highlight the personal costs of fighting against a formidable enemy. It reminds viewers of the harsh realities faced by those in the battle for survival.

  • Innovation

    Innovation plays a crucial role in combating the Martian threat, as humanity adapts and creates advanced technology to level the playing field. The steam-powered Tripods symbolize the resourcefulness and determination of the human spirit in the face of despair. This theme showcases how progress can arise from the ashes of destruction.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:06

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Character & theme questions

War of the Worlds: Goliath Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about War of the Worlds: Goliath (2014): 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 film is primarily set in Manhattan, New York City, depicted as a bustling metropolis amidst a world devastated by the Martian invasion. Liberty Island, with its iconic statue, serves as a significant backdrop for pivotal events and symbolizes hope and resilience amid despair.

  • manhattan
  • new york
  • liberty island
  • setting
  • locations
Q2

What time period does the movie depict?

The story is set in 1914, during the onset of the Great War in Europe. This period is significant because it represents a time when humanity was already struggling to recover from the catastrophic Martian invasion that had previously decimated millions of people.

  • 1914
  • time period
  • world war i
  • historical setting
Q3

What does Manhattan represent in the film?

Manhattan is depicted as a bustling metropolis standing in stark contrast to a devastated world. It represents human ingenuity and determination against the destructive forces of the Martian invaders, showcasing the city as both a target and a symbol of human resilience.

  • manhattan
  • destruction
  • human resilience
  • city
Q4

What is Liberty Island's role in the story?

Liberty Island serves as a significant backdrop for key events in the film. The iconic Statue of Liberty symbolizeshope and resilience amid the devastation caused by the Martian invasion, making it a powerful visual motif throughout the narrative.

  • liberty island
  • statue of liberty
  • symbolism
  • hope
Q5

What are the main themes of the movie?

The film explores three primary themes: Conflict, as humanity faces both Martian invaders and internal human strife; Sacrifice, shown through characters willing to risk their lives for the greater good; and Innovation, as humanity creates steam-powered technology to combat the alien threat.

  • themes
  • conflict
  • sacrifice
  • innovation
  • human spirit
Q6

How does the innovation theme play out in the story?

Innovation is central to humanity's survival, as steam-powered Tripods, biplanes, and zeppelins become humanity's defense against the Martians. The steam-powered technology symbolizes human resourcefulness and determination to level the playing field against a superior alien force.

  • steam technology
  • tripods
  • innovation
  • weapons
  • adaptation
Q7

What role does sacrifice play in the film?

Sacrifice is a pivotal theme depicting the personal costs of war. Characters repeatedly put themselves at risk for humanity's survival, and the emotional toll of losing comrades highlights the harsh realities faced by those fighting the Martian threat.

  • sacrifice
  • war casualties
  • loss
  • heroism
Q8

Who is Eric Wells and what is his role?

Eric Wells is the protagonist and leader of the human resistance. Once a young boy who witnessed the Martian devastation of his hometown, he emerges at age 25 as a seasoned, resolute commander who rallies his squadron with strategic insights and unwavering courage, embodying human perseverance.

  • eric wells
  • protagonist
  • leader
  • commander
  • resistance
Q9

What is Nikola Tesla's role in the story?

Nikola Tesla appears as a brilliant and enigmatic scientist whose innovations are pivotal to humanity's survival against the Martians. His cutting-edge technology becomes instrumental in countering the Martian threat, representing the potential of human intellect to overcome external challenges.

  • nikola tesla
  • scientist
  • inventor
  • technology
  • genius
Q10

Who is Theodore Roosevelt in the film?

Theodore Roosevelt serves as the Secretary of War in the film, embodying charismatic leadership and unwavering commitment to humanity's survival. He inspires troops and demonstrates strength against both Martian and human conflicts, reflecting historical resilience.

  • theodore roosevelt
  • secretary of war
  • leader
  • historical figure
Q11

Who leads the Allied Resistance?

Sergei Kushnirov is a Russian general who leads the Allied Resistance Earth Squadrons. Marked by personal loss, he is steadfast and strategic, helping mold the resistance into a fighting force against the Martians and shouldering heavy responsibility for his team's safety and success.

  • sergei kushnirov
  • general
  • russian
  • allied resistance
  • leader
Q12

Who is Jennifer Carter?

Jennifer Carter is an American Lieutenant who is courageous, resourceful, and unyielding in her dedication to the mission. She displays valor and intelligence in tactical situations, contributing significantly to the resistance efforts against Martian forces.

  • jennifer carter
  • lieutenant
  • american
  • bravery
  • tactical
Q13

What is A.R.E.S. in the story?

A.R.E.S. (Allied Resistance Earth Squadrons) is the unified human military force fighting against the Martian invasion. It represents humanity's collective effort to confront the overwhelming extraterrestrial threat, combining forces from different nations under strategic leadership.

  • a.r.e.s.
  • allied resistance
  • squadrons
  • military
  • human forces
Q14

What is the central conflict in the movie?

The central conflict involves humanity's desperate fight for survival against a renewed Martian invasion. The Martians deploy colossal machines and flying wings, while humans must overcome not only the alien threat but also their own internal divisions and political conflicts.

  • martians
  • invasion
  • alien threat
  • survival
  • war

Movie threads

More Movies Like War of the Worlds: Goliath, by Mood & Story

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

Alien Invasion Last Stand Movies like War of the Worlds: Goliath

Stories of desperate resistance as humanity unites against a technologically superior alien foe. If you enjoyed the desperate, large-scale battle for survival in War of the Worlds: Goliath, you'll find similar films here. These movies feature humanity uniting against a superior alien force, with themes of global war, military resistance, and high-stakes action. Fans of epic sci-fi battles will appreciate this thread.

  • desperate
  • heroic
  • intense
  • oppressive
  • gritty
  • large-scale
  • Tone: tense, desperate, heroic
  • Pacing: fast, action-packed
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically begin with a sudden, devastating alien attack that pushes humanity to the brink. The plot follows the formation of a global or localized resistance, often involving military and civilian cooperation. The journey is defined by mounting losses, strategic gambles, and pivotal battles that ultimately determine the fate of the human race, culminating in a hard-fought victory or a pyrrhic survival.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared core premise of a defensive global war against aliens. They resonate with a specific vibe of desperate heroism, the tension of fighting a superior enemy, and the heavy emotional weight of mass casualties and sacrifice for a greater cause.

Steampunk Military Action Movies like War of the Worlds: Goliath

Epic conflicts fought with anachronistic technology, blending historical aesthetics with sci-fi spectacle. For viewers who loved the unique steampunk aesthetic and mechanized warfare in War of the Worlds: Goliath, this thread collects films with similar retro-futuristic technology and epic battle scenes. Discover movies where fantastical machinery like walkers and zeppelins define the conflict, offering a distinct blend of history and sci-fi.

  • steampunk
  • retro-futuristic
  • mechanized
  • inventive
  • gritty
  • spectacular
  • Tone: gritty, spectacular, determined
  • Pacing: fast, spectacle-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern often involves a conflict—be it against other humans, monsters, or aliens—that is defined by its setting's unique technology. The plot revolves around the deployment, limitations, and sometimes the folly of these grand machines. Character arcs frequently involve pilots, engineers, or soldiers who must master this unconventional technology to overcome a powerful threat, set against a backdrop that feels both familiar and strangely advanced.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their distinctive world-building and aesthetic. The shared experience is the spectacle of anachronistic technology in combat, creating a specific mood that blends historical grit with sci-fi wonder. The pacing is often fast due to the focus on action and large-scale set pieces.

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Every angle

War of the Worlds: Goliath (2014) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about War of the Worlds: Goliath 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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