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War on Everyone (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

War on Everyone (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 98 min · English
JustWatch #4,053 25
Directed by
John Michael McDonagh

Two morally flexible police officers, Terry and Bob, run a blackmail scheme, preying on both petty criminals and powerful figures. Their operation is lucrative until they cross a dangerous strip club owner and his shadowy employer. Unwittingly, they stumble upon a larger, sinister plot that threatens to expose their own reckless behavior and destroy everything they’ve built.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (6)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like War on Everyone
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch War on Everyone (2017)

Where can you watch War on Everyone? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Philo, Fawesome and Fandango at Home Free: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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6 main characters · contains spoilers

War on Everyone Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of War on Everyone (2017), 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.

  • Terry Monroe

    Terry Monroe is a corrupt police officer driven by a desire for power and greed. His morally ambiguous nature often leads him down dangerous paths, but he genuinely grapples with his choices as the story unfolds. As he navigates complex relationships, his character reveals layers of vulnerability beneath a tough exterior.

    • 👮‍♂️ Police
    • 💔 Complex
    • ⚖️ Morality
  • Bob Bolaño

    Bob Bolaño is Terry's partner, equally corrupted and caught up in their illegal endeavors. He showcases a mix of bravado and inner conflict, particularly when faced with moral dilemmas. His character's arc evolves as the consequences of their actions force him to re-evaluate his choices by the end.

    • 👮‍♂️ Police
    • 👊 Violence
    • 🤔 Reflection
  • Jimmy Harris

    Jimmy Harris is the local criminal suspect at the center of the duo's investigation. While he plays a pivotal role in the plot, his character represents the chaotic underworld they interact with. The plot intricately involves his dubious actions that fuel the narrative's progression.

    • 🕴️ Criminal
    • 🔫 Suspense
    • 🔍 Investigation
  • Jackie Hollis

    Jackie Hollis is a significant supporting character with a complex past, including a previous connection to the criminal underworld. Her relationship with Monroe adds an emotional layer, highlighting struggles between love and moral integrity. By the film's end, she embodies resilience and compassion amidst turmoil.

    • ❤️ Love
    • 💪 Resilience
    • 🌪️ Conflict
  • Clifford Reynard

    Clifford Reynard serves as a getaway driver entangled in the criminal activities surrounding the heist. His unexpected demise at the hands of his wife marks a turning point in the story, driving the narrative's darker themes. His character illustrates the collateral damage associated with crime.

    • 🛵 Driver
    • ⚰️ Tragedy
    • 🎭 Intrigue
  • James Mangan

    James Mangan is the antagonist, a cunning businessman orchestrating the heist. His character serves as a representation of unchecked power and exploitation. Ultimately, Mangan's actions catalyze the protagonists' quest for redemption and justice.

    • 🕴️ Villain
    • 👿 Manipulation
    • 🕵️‍♂️ Conflict

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:58

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Setting

Where and When Does War on Everyone Take Place?

The setting of War on Everyone (2017): 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 narrative unfolds in a contemporary setting, reflective of modern societal issues such as corruption within law enforcement and crime. This time period is marked by law enforcement's struggle to maintain integrity against the backdrop of increasing criminal activity and moral dilemmas.

Location

Albuquerque, Iceland, Blue Lagoon

The movie primarily takes place in Albuquerque, a bustling city in New Mexico known for its vibrant culture and complex social issues. The story also unfolds in Iceland, a stark contrast with its breathtaking natural landscapes and serene environments. The concluding scene takes place at the Blue Lagoon, a famous geothermal spa that symbolizes tranquility amidst the chaos experienced by the characters.

  • 🌆 City
  • 🌍 International
  • 🏞️ Scenic

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:58

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3 major themes

War on Everyone Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is War on Everyone (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Corruption

    The theme of corruption permeates the film as two police officers exploit their power, engaging in illegal activities such as bribery and extortion. Their moral decline highlights the broader issue of systemic corruption within law enforcement agencies. The eventual shift towards justice serves as a commentary on redemption and the human conscience.

  • Revenge

    Revenge plays a significant role as character motivations lead to violent consequences against wrongdoers. The pursuit of vengeance drives the narrative, pushing the main characters to confront their enemies head-on. This theme explores the psychological effects of betrayal and loss, shaping their quest for justice.

  • Love and Redemption

    Amidst the chaos of crime and corruption, the flicker of romance between Monroe and Hollis highlights the theme of love as a redemptive force. Their relationship evolves as they navigate the dangers surrounding them, symbolizing hope and connection. Ultimately, the film suggests that love can foster healing even in a tumultuous environment.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:58

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Character & theme questions

War on Everyone Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about War on Everyone (2017): 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 War on Everyone set?

The movie primarily takes place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a city known for its vibrant culture and complex social issues. The story also unfolds in Iceland, particularly the Blue Lagoon, which serves as a stark contrast to the urban setting and symbolizes tranquility amidst the chaos experienced by the characters.

  • albuquerque
  • new mexico
  • iceland
  • blue lagoon
  • setting
  • locations
Q2

When does War on Everyone take place?

The narrative unfolds in a contemporary setting, reflecting modern societal issues such as corruption within law enforcement and crime. The time period is marked by law enforcement's struggle to maintain integrity against increasing criminal activity and moral dilemmas.

  • contemporary
  • modern
  • time period
  • era
  • setting
Q3

What are the main themes in War on Everyone?

The film explores several interconnected themes: corruption among law enforcement officers who exploit their power through bribery and extortion; revenge as a driving force leading to violent consequences; and love as a redemptive force that offers healing even in a tumultuous environment. The eventual shift toward justice serves as a commentary on redemption and the human conscience.

  • corruption
  • revenge
  • love
  • redemption
  • themes
  • police brutality
Q4

What does War on Everyone say about police corruption?

The theme of corruption permeates the film as two police officers exploit their power, engaging in illegal activities. Their moral decline highlights the broader issue of systemic corruption within law enforcement agencies. The story uses their journey to comment on redemption and the human conscience, ultimately shifting toward justice.

  • police corruption
  • law enforcement
  • corruption
  • systemic corruption
  • moral decline
Q5

Who are the main characters in War on Everyone?

The film centers on two corrupt police officers: Terry Monroe and Bob Bolaño, who run a lucrative blackmail scheme. Key supporting characters include Jackie Hollis (Monroe's love interest with a complex past), Jimmy Harris (the criminal suspect at the center of their investigation), and James Mangan (the antagonist, a businessman orchestrating a heist).

  • terry monroe
  • bob bolaño
  • jackie hollis
  • jimmy harris
  • james mangan
  • main characters
  • cast
Q6

Who is Terry Monroe in War on Everyone?

Terry Monroe is one of the two corrupt police officers who runs a blackmail scheme with his partner Bob. He is driven by a desire for power and greed, but his character reveals layers of vulnerability beneath a tough exterior as he grapples with his moral choices throughout the story.

  • terry monroe
  • corrupt police officer
  • protagonist
  • character profile
Q7

Who is the antagonist in War on Everyone?

James Mangan is the antagonist, a cunning businessman who orchestrates the heist that drives much of the plot. He represents unchecked power and exploitation, and his actions ultimately catalyze the protagonists' quest for redemption and justice.

  • james mangan
  • antagonist
  • villain
  • heist mastermind
Q8

Who is Jackie Hollis in War on Everyone?

Jackie Hollis is a significant supporting character with a complex past connected to the criminal underworld. Her relationship with Monroe adds an emotional layer to the story, highlighting struggles between love and moral integrity. She embodies resilience and compassion amidst turmoil.

  • jackie hollis
  • love interest
  • supporting character
  • romance
Q9

Why does the story take place in Albuquerque?

Albuquerque serves as the primary setting because of its complex social issues and urban environment that naturally fosters the criminal underworld depicted in the film. The city's culture and crime landscape provide the perfect backdrop for the corrupt police officers' blackmail operations.

  • albuquerque
  • new mexico
  • city setting
  • urban crime
Q10

What is the significance of the Blue Lagoon in War on Everyone?

The concluding scene takes place at the Blue Lagoon, a famous geothermal spa in Iceland. This location symbolizes tranquility and serves as a stark contrast to the chaotic urban violence of Albuquerque, representing a moment of peace and redemption for the main characters.

  • blue lagoon
  • iceland
  • finale
  • ending location
  • peaceful ending
Q11

Is there a romance in War on Everyone?

Yes, a romantic storyline develops between Terry Monroe and Jackie Hollis amidst the chaos of crime and corruption. Their relationship evolves as they navigate the dangers surrounding them, symbolizing hope and connection. The film suggests that love can foster healing even in a tumultuous environment.

  • romance
  • love story
  • monroe hollis
  • relationship
  • redemption

Movie threads

More Movies Like War on Everyone, by Mood & Story

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

Movies with Unhinged Anti-Heroes like War on Everyone

Deeply flawed protagonists who play by their own chaotic and corrupt rules. If you enjoyed the chaotic energy of War on Everyone, you'll like these movies featuring deeply flawed, morally ambiguous protagonists. This collection brings together similar films where corrupt cops, charming criminals, and unhinged anti-heroes drive the narrative with a mix of brutal action and irreverent humor.

  • cynical
  • unhinged
  • chaotic
  • satirical
  • aggressive
  • darkly comedic
  • Tone: dark, satirical
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread follow anti-heroes who are often part of a corrupt system, such as police or criminal underworlds. Their initial, seemingly successful schemes inevitably escalate, leading to confrontations with even more dangerous forces. The journey is marked by chaotic action, moral compromises, and a tone that balances grim violence with cynical wit.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here based on their central focus on morally flexible, often hilarious anti-heroes, a fast-paced and aggressive tone that blends dark humor with high-intensity action, and narratives that explore the chaotic consequences of operating outside any moral code.

Darkly Comedic Crime Movies like War on Everyone

Where violent criminal schemes collide with absurd, irreverent humor. Fans of War on Everyone who loved its blend of brutal violence and hilarious dialogue will find more to enjoy here. Discover similar movies that master the tone of dark comedy crime, where heists go wrong, corrupt schemes unravel, and the line between thriller and comedy is brilliantly blurred.

  • darkly comedic
  • violent
  • satirical
  • chaotic
  • cynical
  • irreverent
  • Tone: darkly comedic, cynical
  • Pacing: fast, escalating
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a seemingly simple criminal enterprise—a blackmail scheme, a heist—that rapidly expands beyond the protagonists' control, forcing them into increasingly dangerous and absurd situations. The plot is linear but escalates quickly, punctuated by moments of extreme violence that are undercut by witty, irreverent dialogue and situational comedy.

Why they belong together: These films share a specific tonal balance: high-intensity action and crime drama are filtered through a persistent, cynical comedic lens. The pacing is fast, the protagonists are often in over their heads, and the viewing experience is defined by this unique mix of aggression and laughter.

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Every angle

War on Everyone (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about War on Everyone 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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