We Are Still Here (2015) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie takes place in rural New England, specifically in a small town centered around the infamous Dagmar house. This setting is characterized by serene landscapes and a tight-knit community, which contrasts sharply with the sinister events that unfold. The choice of a remote New England location adds to the isolated, unsettling atmosphere typical of horror films.

• setting
• location
• rural new england
• dagmar house

The Dagmar House is a former funeral home with a dark history that serves as the primary location in the movie. Originally owned by the Dagmar family, the house was the site of macabre events in the 1800s. Its sinister reputation looms over the story, and the house itself becomes a character, feeding on souls every thirty years.

• dagmar house
• haunted house
• funeral home

The film is primarily set in 1979, during a time of emotional upheaval and shifting family dynamics. Flashbacks reveal the house was built in the 1800s, connecting the present-day horror to the macabre lore of that era. The 1979 setting provides a nostalgic backdrop while emphasizing the timeless nature of the house's evil.

• time period
• 1979
• 1970s
• 1800s

The film explores three interconnected themes: grief, the supernatural, and sacrifice. Grief drives the narrative as Anne and Paul cope with their son's death. The supernatural manifests through vengeful spirits that reflect unresolved trauma. Sacrifice appears through the house's demand for souls every thirty years and the moral dilemmas characters face.

• themes
• grief
• supernatural
• sacrifice

Grief is the emotional core of the film, following Anne and Paul's tragic loss of their son Bobby. Their move to the new home represents an attempt to escape their pain, but the haunting presence of Bobby draws Anne deeper into despair. The film examines how grief can make people vulnerable to supernatural influences and explores the desperate desire to maintain connections with lost loved ones.

• grief
• loss
• anne
• paul
• bobby

The supernatural elements serve as both literal horror and metaphor for past trauma. Vengeful spirits haunt the living, reflecting the consequences of unresolved sins and the inescapable nature of tragedy. The film blurs the line between supernatural evil and the psychological toll of grief, suggesting that some wounds transcend death.

• spirits
• haunting
• supernatural
• evil

Sacrifice manifests through the house's requirement to consume souls every thirty years, creating a cycle of death. Characters face moral dilemmas about what they are willing to do to appease malevolent forces or save loved ones. The theme reaches its tragic conclusion with devastating outcomes for both townspeople and the protagonists, suggesting that some sacrifices only perpetuate violence.

• sacrifice
• cycle of death
• evil
• souls

The central characters are Anne and Paul Sacchetti, a couple seeking refuge after their son's death. Anne is consumed by grief and determined to keep their son's spirit in their home. Paul serves as the rational counterweight, struggling between skepticism and belief as events escalate. Jacob Lewis, a spiritualist, becomes a critical figure who confronts the dark forces.

• characters
• anne
• paul
• jacob
• cast

Anne Sacchetti, played by Barbara Crampton, is a mother devastated by the loss of her son Bobby. Her desperate desire to connect with his spirit drives much of the narrative's supernatural progression. She is portrayed as both vulnerable in her grief and determined to maintain a bond with her deceased child, making her a complex figure whose mourning becomes the gateway for the film's horror.

• anne
• barbara crampton
• mother
• grief

Paul Sacchetti, played by Andrew Sensenig, represents the rational, skeptical voice in the story. He attempts to support Anne through her grief while grappling with his own sorrow. As the supernatural events intensify, Paul is forced to abandon his skepticism and confront the terrifying reality of their situation, ultimately becoming a protective figure against the dark forces.

• paul
• andrew sensenig
• husband
• skeptical

Jacob Lewis, played by Larry Fessenden, is a spiritualist who brings mystical knowledge to the story. His character serves as a bridge between the living and the dead, exploring the unknown. Jacob becomes possessed by the spirit of Lassander Dagmar, revealing the duality of his nature as both a truth-seeker and a victim of dark forces. His fate marks a critical turning point in the narrative.

• jacob
• larry fessenden
• spiritualist
• dagmar

The 1979 setting places the story in a specific era of emotional and social upheaval, adding authenticity to the characters' struggles with loss and family dynamics. This time period also allows the film to combine classic horror aesthetics with contemporary themes. The contrast between the modern 1970s world and the house's dark 1800s history emphasizes that the evil transcends time periods.

• 1979
• era
• time period
• vintage