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Where's the Money (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Where's the Money (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 86 min · English
Echo score 50
JustWatch #33,841 2
Directed by
Scott Zabielski
Starring
Allen Maldonado, Terry Crews, Katerina Graham, Chelsea Alden, Mike Epps, Josh Brener
Budget
$1.5M

A man from South Central Los Angeles finds himself in a chaotic situation when he learns his imprisoned father and uncle hid a million dollars in a rundown building. Facing gentrification and the potential loss of his neighborhood, he must cleverly infiltrate a local fraternity. To secure the hidden money, he must charm the fraternity members while avoiding rival claimants and dangerous gangsters who also seek the fortune.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  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 Where's the Money
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Where's the Money (2017)

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

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

Where's the Money Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Where's the Money (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.

  • Del Goodlow

    played by Andrew Bachelor

    Del Goodlow is a quick-witted young man striving to save his family-run gym. His street-smart mentality and resourcefulness highlight his determination to navigate the chaos he encounters. Along the way, Del showcases traits of bravery and loyalty, proving to be a true friend and advocate for his community.

    • 💪 Determination
    • 😂 Humor
    • 👊 Loyalty
  • Dre

    played by Mike Epps

    Dre is Del's father and a former enthusiastic gym owner whose unexpected incarceration plunges the family business into turmoil. His fatherly guidance through phone calls demonstrates his pivotal role in Del's life, shaping Del's values and drive to save the gym while dealing with the pressures of their challenging circumstances.

    • 🏋️‍♂️ Fatherhood
    • 🔑 Guidance
  • Uncle Leon

    played by Terry Crews

    Uncle Leon is a comedic yet menacing character with grand plans for wealth, showcasing a greedy nature throughout the film. His determination to get his hands on the hidden money leads to conflict with Del and ultimately culminates in his downfall, marking a pivotal moment in the chaotic story.

    • 🤑 Greed
    • 💣 Antagonist
  • Brock

    played by Devon Werkheiser

    Brock is a fraternity brother whose discovery of Del's theft complicates the narrative, adding a layer of intrigue to the story. Although initially wary of Del, his character evolves as he joins forces with Del and the KAX fraternity to uncover the truth, highlighting themes of trust and friendship.

    • 🤔 Loyalty
    • 🕵️‍♂️ Investigation

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:02

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Setting

Where and When Does Where's the Money Take Place?

The setting of Where's the Money (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 movie unfolds in contemporary times, reflecting modern issues such as financial instability, gang influence, and youthful rebellion. This setting allows for a relatable narrative filled with humor and heart, as Del navigates his challenges while remaining connected to his community.

Location

Los Angeles, KAX fraternity house

Los Angeles is a vibrant urban city known for its iconic entertainment industry and diverse culture. The KAX fraternity house, formerly a flophouse, serves as a chaotic backdrop where wild college life meets unexpected camaraderie. Together, these locations frame Del's hilarious quest for hidden treasure and community revitalization.

  • 🌆 City
  • 🎓 Fraternity

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:02

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3 major themes

Where's the Money Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Where's the Money (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Greed

    Greed plays a central role, driving characters like Uncle Leon to pursue wealth at any cost. This theme is explored through the various attempts to control the hidden cash, revealing how desperation can lead to chaotic and dangerous situations. Ultimately, it shows the contrast between selfish desires and the collective good.

  • Community

    The importance of community is highlighted throughout the film, as Del's gym serves as a refuge for local youth. Despite the chaos, the KAX fraternity's eventual commitment to helping renovate the gym showcases the power of collaboration and the impact of charitable actions on those in need.

  • Adventure

    Del's quest to retrieve the hidden money leads to a series of comedic adventures filled with outrageous initiation rituals and clever deception. This theme underscores the unpredictability of life, emphasizing that sometimes the journey is just as important as the destination, as new friendships and alliances are formed.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:02

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Character & theme questions

Where's the Money Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Where's the Money (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 does the movie take place?

Where's the Money is set in Los Angeles, a vibrant urban city known for its entertainment industry and diverse culture. The story primarily unfolds in two key locations: Del's family-run gym in South Central LA and the KAX fraternity house, which was formerly a flophouse.

  • los angeles
  • setting
  • kax fraternity
  • south central
Q2

What is the KAX fraternity house like?

The KAX fraternity house serves as a chaotic backdrop in the film, formerly operating as a flophouse before becoming a fraternity. It represents a space where wild college life meets unexpected camaraderie, and it becomes central to Del's quest for the hidden money.

  • kax fraternity
  • fraternity house
  • setting
Q3

Who is Del Goodlow?

Del Goodlow is the protagonist, a quick-witted young man from South Central Los Angeles played by Andrew Bachelor. He runs his family gym and is determined to save it from financial ruin. Del is street-smart, brave, and loyal, using his resourcefulness to navigate the chaotic situations he encounters.

  • del goodlow
  • andrew bachelor
  • protagonist
  • main character
Q4

Who is Uncle Leon in the movie?

Uncle Leon, played by Terry Crews, is a comedic yet menacing character driven by greed. He has grand plans for wealth and is determined to get his hands on the hidden million dollars. His pursuit of money creates conflict with Del and ultimately leads to his downfall, serving as a cautionary example of greed's consequences.

  • uncle leon
  • terry crews
  • greedy character
  • antagonist
Q5

Who is Dre and what is his role?

Dre, played by Mike Epps, is Del's father and the former owner of the family gym. His unexpected incarceration creates the financial turmoil that threatens the gym's closure. Though imprisoned, Dre provides fatherly guidance through phone calls, shaping Del's values and his drive to save the family business.

  • dre
  • mike epps
  • del's father
  • incarcerated
Q6

What are the main themes in the movie?

Where's the Money explores three central themes: greed, community, and adventure. Greed drives characters like Uncle Leon to pursue wealth at any cost. Community is highlighted through Del's gym as a refuge for local youth and the fraternity's eventual help in renovating it. Adventure follows Del's comedic quest filled with initiation rituals and deception.

  • themes
  • greed
  • community
  • adventure
  • meaning
Q7

How is greed portrayed in the film?

Greed serves as a central driving force, particularly through Uncle Leon's character. The theme is explored through various characters' attempts to control the hidden cash, revealing how desperation can lead to chaotic and dangerous situations. The movie contrasts selfish desires against the collective good, showing the consequences of putting wealth above community.

  • greed
  • money
  • uncle leon
  • theme
Q8

What does the community theme represent?

The community theme is represented through Del's gym serving as a refuge for local youth. Despite the surrounding chaos involving gang influence and financial instability, the KAX fraternity's eventual commitment to helping renovate the gym showcases the power of collaboration. It demonstrates how charitable actions and working together can positively impact those in need.

  • community
  • gym
  • collaboration
  • neighborhood
Q9

Why does Del want to save his gym?

Del wants to save his family-run gym because it represents his family's legacy and serves as a vital community space for local youth. Facing gentrification and the potential loss of his neighborhood, Del's mission to recover the hidden money becomes intertwined with preserving both his family's business and the refuge it provides for his community.

  • del's motivation
  • gym
  • family business
  • community
Q10

When is Where's the Money set?

Where's the Money is set in contemporary times, reflecting modern issues such as financial instability, gang influence, and youthful rebellion. The present-day setting allows the story to address relatable struggles while maintaining its comedic tone and humor.

  • time period
  • contemporary
  • modern
  • setting
Q11

What type of movie is Where's the Money?

Where's the Money is a comedy film with a light, fast-paced narrative. Despite themes involving financial ruin and neighborhood gentrification, the focus remains on comedic antics and farcical situations like failed fire inspections and bat-spanking initiation rituals. The movie balances humor with heartfelt moments, leading to a happy ending where the gym is saved.

  • comedy
  • tone
  • humor
  • genre

Movie threads

More Movies Like Where's the Money, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Where's the Money tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Clever Undercover Caper Movies like Where's the Money

Witty protagonists who must infiltrate a group to pull off a clever scheme. If you enjoyed the clever infiltration and chaotic antics of 'Where's the Money', you'll love these movies. This section features similar stories of witty undercover missions, humorous heists, and charismatic characters who have to think on their feet to achieve their goals.

  • clever
  • witty
  • chaotic
  • infiltration
  • heist
  • fast-paced
  • Tone: light, humorous
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives follow a protagonist with a specific goal that requires them to adopt a false identity. The plot is driven by a series of escalating, often humorous challenges as they maintain their cover, outsmart opponents, and navigate the rules of the world they've infiltrated, leading to a climactic and satisfying resolution.

Why they belong together: They are grouped by their shared focus on cleverness over brute force, a lighthearted tone that keeps the stakes fun, and a fast-paced sequence of comedic obstacles. The appeal lies in the protagonist's intelligence and the enjoyment of seeing a well-laid, if chaotic, plan unfold.

Community-Centered Comedies Similar to Where's the Money

Energetic stories where saving a neighborhood leads to comedic chaos. Fans of 'Where's the Money' and its theme of saving a neighborhood through a chaotic plan will enjoy these movies. Discover similar fast-paced, lighthearted comedies where the heart of the story is about community, legacy, and pulling off a crazy scheme for a feel-good reason.

  • feel-good
  • community
  • fast-paced
  • lighthearted
  • uplifting
  • chaotic
  • Tone: lighthearted, feel-good
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The story begins with a threat to a community's way of life or a specific local institution. The protagonist, often with personal ties to the community, devises an unconventional and typically chaotic plan to save it. The journey is filled with humorous misadventures and unlikely alliances, culminating in an uplifting victory that reinforces the value of community.

Why they belong together: They share a specific blend of high-energy comedy and a heartfelt, community-focused stakes. The pacing is fast, the tone is consistently light and humorous, and the emotional core is about belonging and protecting something larger than oneself, resulting in a universally uplifting feel.

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Movies Like Where's the Money

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Every angle

Where's the Money (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Where's the Money 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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