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We Can Be Heroes (2020) movie poster

Characters & Themes

We Can Be Heroes (2020) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2020 · English
Echo score 63
JustWatch #21,882 6
Directed by
Robert Rodriguez
Starring
Sung Kang, Priyanka Chopra, Pedro Pascal, Boyd Holbrook, Adriana Barraza, Akira Akbar

When Earth's superheroes vanish, their children discover they're the only ones who can save them. A group of kids, each possessing unique and extraordinary abilities like elasticity, time control, and precognition, must work together to locate and rescue their captured parents. Led by the intelligent Missy Moreno, they face a formidable challenge in outmaneuvering their government handler, Ms. Granada.

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

Where to watch

Where to Watch We Can Be Heroes (2020)

Where can you watch We Can Be Heroes? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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5 main characters · contains spoilers

We Can Be Heroes Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of We Can Be Heroes (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.

  • Missy Moreno

    played by YaYa Gosselin

    Missy is a determined and resourceful young girl who aspires to be a hero like her father, Marcus. Although she lacks superpowers, her cleverness and ability to inspire her friends showcase her strong character. Throughout the story, she emerges as a leader, rallying the other children to rise against the alien threat.

    • 🌟 Hero
    • 👧 Young Hero
  • Marcus Moreno

    played by Pedro Pascal

    Marcus is a skilled former superhero, known for his magnetic abilities and formidable swordsmanship. His protective nature towards Missy and other heroes showcases his commitment to safeguarding those he loves. Though retired from active duty, he motivates the new generation of heroes and leads them in their fight against the alien invaders.

    • 🦸‍♂️ Superhero
    • 🔫 Swordsman
  • Ojo

    played by Hala Finley

    Ojo is a unique character with the ability to foresee events through her artistic creations, emphasizing her artistic talents despite her muteness. Initially perceived as limited, she proves vital with her foresight, becoming an essential strategist for the group. Her evolution from a seemingly silent observer to a commanding presence showcases her significance in the story.

    • 🎨 Artist
    • 🔮 Visionary
  • Wheels

    played by Andy Walken

    Wheels is the son of Miracle Guy, gifted with extraordinary intellect and tech-savvy skills. His innovative problem-solving abilities often help the group escape perilous situations. His character embodies the critical role of intelligence and quick thinking in overcoming challenges.

    • 💡 Genius
    • 🛠️ Techie
  • Guppy

    Guppy has the remarkable power of shaping water and possesses the strength of a shark. Her creativity shines through as she devises a strategy to unlock a prison cell using a key made from the group’s tears. Guppy represents the unconventional hero type, reminding the audience that might comes in many forms.

    • 🐋 Water Manipulator
    • 🦈 Strong

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:10

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Setting

Where and When Does We Can Be Heroes Take Place?

The setting of We Can Be Heroes (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 movie is set in contemporary times, highlighting modern themes like teamwork and the potential of the younger generation. The narrative suggests an urgent yet adventurous atmosphere as the characters face immediate threats from extraterrestrial forces.

Location

Earth, Missy's Grandmother's home

The primary setting of the film is Earth, where superheroes and their families navigate the challenges posed by alien invaders. A significant location is Missy's grandmother's home, a former trainer of the Heroics, which serves as a refuge for the kids. This home becomes a training ground for the children as they learn to harness their powers and collaborate against the alien threat.

  • 🏠 Home
  • 🌌 Space

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:10

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2 major themes

We Can Be Heroes Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is We Can Be Heroes (2020) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Empowerment

    The theme of empowerment is prevalent, especially as the young characters, despite their lack of experience, rise to the occasion to protect their planet. Missy's journey illustrates how courage and unity can overcome adversity, emphasizing that true strength comes from working together. The kids evolve from feeling like underdogs to becoming heroic figures in their own right.

  • Teamwork

    Teamwork stands at the heart of the plot as the children learn to rely on each other’s unique abilities. Each character brings something special to the table, demonstrating that collaboration can yield incredible results. This theme highlights the importance of friendship and cohesion in the face of adversity.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:10

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Character & theme questions

We Can Be Heroes Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about We Can Be Heroes (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 movie set?

The movie is set on Earth, primarily in Missy's grandmother's home, which serves as a refuge and training ground for the children. This house belongs to a former trainer of the Heroics, making it a secure location as the kids learn to use their powers against the alien threat.

  • setting
  • locations
  • earth
  • grandmother home
  • heroics training
Q2

What time period does the movie take place in?

The movie is set in contemporary times, featuring modern themes like teamwork and the potential of younger generations. The setting reflects a world where superheroes exist alongside regular society, with an urgent yet adventurous atmosphere as the characters face threats from extraterrestrial forces.

  • time period
  • contemporary
  • modern era
  • setting
Q3

What are the main themes?

The two primary themes are empowerment and teamwork. The film emphasizes how young characters, despite their lack of experience, rise to protect their planet. It showcases that courage and unity can overcome adversity, with each child contributing unique abilities to demonstrate that collaboration yields incredible results.

  • themes
  • empowerment
  • teamwork
  • courage
  • young heroes
Q4

Who is Missy Moreno and what is her role?

Missy Moreno is the protagonist and leader of the young heroes. Though she lacks superpowers, she is determined, resourceful, and incredibly clever. She aspires to be a hero like her father Marcus and emerges as the rallying force who unites the other children to face the alien threat.

  • missy moreno
  • leader
  • protagonist
  • father marcus
Q5

What powers do the children have?

Each child possesses unique extraordinary abilities: Ojo can foresee events through her artistic creations (she is mute), Wheels has exceptional intellect and tech skills, Guppy can shape water and has shark-like strength, and other hero children have powers like elasticity, time control, and precognition.

  • superpowers
  • abilities
  • ojo
  • wheels
  • guppy
  • children heroes
Q6

Who is Marcus Moreno?

Marcus Moreno is Missy's father and a former superhero known for his magnetic abilities and swordsmanship. Though retired from active duty, he is protective of his daughter and motivates the new generation of heroes, leading them in the fight against alien invaders.

  • marcus moreno
  • father
  • superhero
  • magnetic powers
  • retired
Q7

Why is Ojo important to the team?

Ojo is vital because her precognitive abilities through artistic creations serve as the group's strategic advantage. Despite being mute and initially seeming limited, her foresight makes her an essential planner who helps the team anticipate the alien movements and navigate dangerous situations.

  • ojo
  • fore sight
  • strategy
  • artistic abilities
  • precognition
Q8

What is the significance of Missy's grandmother's home?

Missy's grandmother's home serves as the primary refuge for the children after superheroes vanish. It belonged to a former trainer of the Heroics, making it not only a safe house but also a training ground where the kids learn to harness their powers and work together.

  • grandmother home
  • training ground
  • refuge
  • heroics trainer
Q9

Who is the main antagonist?

The main antagonistic force comes from alien invaders who capture the world's superheroes. Additionally, Ms. Granada serves as a formidable government handler who challenges the children, creating obstacles for the young heroes as they attempt to rescue their captured parents.

  • alien invaders
  • ms granada
  • antagonist
  • government handler
Q10

What genre does the movie fall into?

We Can Be Heroes is an action comedy-drama family film with fantasy elements. It combines imaginative superpowers with a light, family-friendly tone, featuring child protagonists in a high-stakes alien invasion narrative that emphasizes adventure and teamwork over dark or intense themes.

  • genre
  • action
  • comedy
  • family
  • fantasy
  • superhero movie

Movie threads

More Movies Like We Can Be Heroes, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes We Can Be Heroes tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about the next generation of heroes like We Can Be Heroes

Kids with extraordinary powers must step up and save the day. If you enjoyed watching the kids save their parents in We Can Be Heroes, you'll love these other movies. Discover similar action-packed, family-friendly stories where young protagonists with unique powers learn teamwork and responsibility to overcome a major threat.

  • youthful
  • empowering
  • teamwork
  • adventurous
  • hopeful
  • discovery
  • Tone: hopeful, adventurous, playful
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically begin with a crisis that incapacitates or sidelines the adult heroes (or authorities), forcing their progeny or other gifted youths to take charge. The story arc focuses on the kids learning to master their abilities, work as a team, and prove their worth, often culminating in a successful mission that earns them respect and solidifies their new roles.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here because they share the core concept of child or teenage protagonists unexpectedly becoming the world's last hope. They balance high-stakes adventure with the lighter, more playful tone of youth, emphasizing themes of teamwork, self-discovery, and coming of age through extraordinary circumstances.

Movies with playful superpowered teams like We Can Be Heroes

A fun, fast-paced blend of unique powers and collaborative action. Looking for more movies with the fun team vibe of We Can Be Heroes? Explore these recommendations for stories featuring groups of heroes with quirky abilities. These films share a light tone, fast pacing, and a focus on teamwork, making them perfect for family viewing.

  • teamwork
  • quirky
  • energetic
  • inventive
  • playful
  • uplifting
  • Tone: light, uplifting, quirky
  • Pacing: fast-paced, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern revolves around assembling a team of distinct individuals who must learn to synergize their unique and varied abilities. The conflict is designed to challenge them in ways that require collaboration rather than solo heroics. The journey is filled with moments of creative power usage, interpersonal bonding, and triumphant collective action.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together based on their shared vibe of lighthearted, action-packed teamwork. They prioritize the fun of seeing different powers interact and the uplifting message of unity over gritty individualism. The experience is consistently energetic, hopeful, and designed to be broadly entertaining.

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Movies Like We Can Be Heroes

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Every angle

We Can Be Heroes (2020) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about We Can Be Heroes 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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