What Comes Around (2023) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The story primarily takes place in two key locations: a park where Anna and Eric first meet, symbolizing innocence and the blossoming of their romance, and the family home where tensions between Anna, her mother Beth, and the mysterious Eric/Jesse unfold. The park represents the initial attraction, while the home becomes the setting for dramatic confrontations and revelations.

• park
• home
• setting
• locations

The film is set in modern day contemporary times, specifically addressing current issues of age, consent, and family dynamics in the digital age. The narrative reflects a modern society grappling with how technology impacts emotional and physical intimacy among young people.

• modern day
• contemporary
• time period
• era

The movie explores three interconnected themes: love and betrayal, as Anna's relationship with Eric/Jesse reveals hidden secrets and past traumas; dangerous relationships, highlighting how genuine connections can harbor hidden threats; and mother-daughter bonds, showing the tension between Beth's protective instincts and Anna's quest for independence.

• themes
• love
• betrayal
• dangerous relationships
• mother-daughter

Eric is introduced as a charming older love interest who pursues Anna, but he later reveals a dual identity as Jesse. This character is shrouded in deception and has a disturbing past connection to Anna's mother Beth, adding a chilling dimension to the story.

• eric
• jesse
• identity
• dual identity
• manipulation

Anna is a 17-year-old experiencing her first serious relationship, drawn to Eric despite warning signs. Her character represents the naivety and romanticism of youth while illustrating her painful growth from innocence to awareness as she confronts uncomfortable truths about her boyfriend and his connection to her mother.

• anna
• teenager
• relationship
• youth

Beth is Anna's protective mother who harbors a troubled past with Jesse. Her relationship with Jesse brings forth deep-seated fears and unresolved issues, creating tension between her maternal instinct to protect Anna and her own emotional baggage from past experiences.

• beth
• mother
• jesse
• past
• protective

The love and betrayal theme examines how Anna's relationship with Eric/Jesse becomes entangled with secrets and past traumas that surface as their connection deepens. This dynamic shows how love can simultaneously bring joy and catalyze profound emotional conflict, affecting both Anna and her mother.

• love
• betrayal
• secrets
• trauma
• emotional conflict

The relationships are dangerous because Anna's innocent feelings become clouded by unsettling truths about Eric's true identity and intentions. The film explores how seemingly genuine connections can harbor manipulation and threat, with warnings from Anna's friend Brit highlighting the precarious nature of her situation.

• danger
• manipulation
• warnings
• red flags

Brit is Anna's close friend who serves as a voice of caution throughout the unfolding drama. Her concerns about Eric stem from loyalty and genuine care for Anna, representing the importance of friendship and support systems during turbulent relationships.

• brit
• friend
• support
• warning
• loyalty

The bond between Anna and Beth illustrates the complexities of familial relationships during adolescence. Their relationship is tested by Anna's choices and the shocking revelation of Jesse's true intentions and past connection to Beth, creating tension between a mother's protective love and a young woman's need for independence.

• mother
• daughter
• family
• bond
• independence
• protection

The film deals heavily with themes of grooming, manipulation, and past trauma. The emotional weight is intense, exploring how psychological threat and deception impact the female characters. The ending reflects lingering emotional damage, particularly through Anna's bitter perspective on her mother's failure to protect her.

• trauma
• grooming
• manipulation
• emotional damage
• psychological