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Wonder Woman (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Wonder Woman (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 141 min · English
Echo score 82
JustWatch #2,817 79
Directed by
Patty Jenkins
Starring
Saïd Taghmaoui, Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, Robin Wright, Danny Huston
Budget
$149M

During World War I, Diana, an Amazonian princess, leaves her isolated island home after encountering a fallen American pilot. Believing he holds clues to stopping a global conflict, she ventures into the war-torn world, determined to end it. Discovering her remarkable abilities and unwavering resolve, Diana embraces her role as Wonder Woman, challenging the forces of evil and proving herself a powerful symbol of hope and heroism.

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 (2)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Wonder Woman
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Wonder Woman (2017)

Where can you watch Wonder Woman? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on HBO Max, YouTube TV and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

Wonder Woman Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Wonder Woman (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.

  • Diana Prince / Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot)

    Diana is a strong and determined character who evolves from a young Amazonian girl into a formidable warrior. Her compassionate nature drives her to understand humanity's struggles, motivating her to join the fight against the war's devastation. Diana embodies the essence of hope and justice, showcasing both her physical prowess and emotional depth.

    • 🦸‍♀️ Hero
    • 🌟 Hope
    • ❤️ Justice
  • Steve Trevor (Chris Pine)

    Steve is a brave spy whose intelligence and charming personality win over Diana. His knowledge of the war and its horrors plays a crucial role in guiding her through the human world. Steve's selflessness and ultimate sacrifice highlight themes of love and the complexities of bravery during wartime.

    • 🕵️‍♂️ Spy
    • ❤️ Sacrifice
    • 🌍 Guide
  • General Antiope (Robin Wright)

    Antiope is a fierce and skilled warrior, serving as both Diana's mentor and protector. Her dedication to training Diana reflects her commitment to the Amazonian ideals of strength and resilience. Antiope's tragic sacrifice during battle illustrates the heavy price of war and the deep connection she shares with Diana.

    • ⚔️ Mentor
    • 💔 Sacrifice
    • 👩‍🏫 Warrior
  • Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen)

    Queen Hippolyta is the wise and protective mother of Diana, representing the nurturing aspect of leadership. Her initial disapproval of Diana's training stems from a desire to protect her daughter from the harsh realities of the world. Hippolyta's character underscores the themes of love, sacrifice, and the responsibility of leadership.

    • 👑 Leader
    • 💖 Mother
    • 🌌 Protector

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:48

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Setting

Where and When Does Wonder Woman Take Place?

The setting of Wonder Woman (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

World War I era

The movie is set during World War I, a time characterized by unprecedented conflict and the struggle for power among nations. This period saw technological advancements in warfare and significant social change, including movements for women's rights. The global turmoil serves as the backdrop for Diana's journey, reflecting the personal and collective battles faced during this tumultuous time.

Location

Themyscira, London, Paris

Themyscira is a mystical island that serves as a sanctuary for the Amazons, an all-female warrior race. Known for its breathtaking beauty and fierce inhabitants, it represents strength and resilience. London is a vibrant city that epitomizes historical significance and modernity, serving as the center of action for Diana as she embarks on her mission. Paris, with its cultural richness, serves as a bridge to Diana's past as she discovers her old photograph.

  • 🏝️ Island
  • 🏙️ City
  • 🎨 Art

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:48

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2 major themes

Wonder Woman Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

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

  • War and Peace

    The theme of war and its impact on humanity is central to the movie. Through Diana's journey, the narrative illustrates the complexities of conflict and the sacrifices made in its pursuit of peace. The film portrays the duality of human nature, where love and rage coexist, ultimately pushing Diana to confront not only formidable enemies but also her own beliefs about justice.

  • Empowerment

    Empowerment, especially of women, is a prominent theme in 'Wonder Woman.' Diana's transformation from a sheltered Amazon to a fierce warrior highlights the potential within everyone to challenge societal norms. Her quest also serves as an inspiration for women to embrace their strength and fight for justice, symbolizing resilience and independence.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:48

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Character & theme questions

Wonder Woman Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Wonder Woman (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 Themyscira located and what does it represent?

Themyscira is a mystical, hidden island that serves as the sanctuary for the Amazonian race. It represents a utopian realm of strength, resilience, and feminine power, existing as a stark contrast to the war-torn world of men. The island's breathtaking beauty and its inhabitants' warrior culture embody the idealized Amazonian ideals that Diana grows up within.

  • themyscira
  • amazon island
  • setting
  • paradise
Q2

What role does London play in Wonder Woman?

London serves as Diana's entry point into the human world and the headquarters for her mission to stop the war. It represents historical modernity and contrasts sharply with the mythic isolation of Themyscira. The city becomes where Diana first encounters the realities of man's world and assembles her team to travel to the front lines.

  • london
  • england
  • world war i
  • british headquarters
Q3

When is Wonder Woman set?

Wonder Woman takes place during World War I, specifically set in the early 20th century around 1918. This era was characterized by unprecedented global conflict, technological advancements in warfare, and significant social change, including emerging women's rights movements. The choice of WWI而不是二战 gives the story a unique historical context.

  • world war i
  • 1918
  • time period
  • historical setting
Q4

What does the War and Peace theme mean in Wonder Woman?

The War and Peace theme explores the devastating impact of conflict on humanity and the complex nature of good and evil within people. Through Diana's journey, the film illustrates how love and rage can coexist in human nature. Diana ultimately discovers that while war brings tragedy, the choice to fight for peace and hope defines true heroism.

  • war
  • peace
  • conflict
  • good versus evil
  • humanity
Q5

How does Wonder Woman explore the theme of empowerment?

Wonder Woman centers on Diana's transformation from a sheltered Amazon princess into a powerful warrior who challenges societal norms. Her journey serves as an inspirational message about embracing inner strength and fighting for justice regardless of gender. The film uses her physical prowess and moral conviction to symbolize feminine resilience and independence.

  • empowerment
  • feminism
  • strength
  • woman warrior
  • inspiration
Q6

Who is Diana Prince in Wonder Woman?

Diana Prince is the Amazonian princess and titular Wonder Woman, born to Queen Hippolyta on Themyscira. She begins as a curious young woman sheltered from the outside world but possesses extraordinary abilities and a compassionate nature. Her determination to understand and help humanity drives her to leave her island home and join the fight against war and evil.

  • diana prince
  • wonder woman
  • amazon
  • heroine
  • protagonist
Q7

Who is Steve Trevor in Wonder Woman?

Steve Trevor is an American spy who crash-lands on Themyscira and becomes Diana's guide to the human world. His intelligence, charm, and first-hand knowledge of the war's horrors help Diana navigate men's world. His character represents the complexity of wartime heroism and his relationship with Diana becomes central to her emotional journey.

  • steve trevor
  • american spy
  • pilot
  • love interest
  • supporting character
Q8

Who is General Antiope in Wonder Woman?

General Antiope is Diana's aunt and mentor, the fierce commander of the Amazon warriors who trains Diana in combat. She is dedicated to preparing Diana to fulfill her potential as a protector. Antiope's tragic death during the German invasion of Themyscira illustrates the heavy cost of war and reinforces the film's themes of sacrifice.

  • antiope
  • amazon general
  • mentor
  • warrior
  • trainer
Q9

Who is Queen Hippolyta in Wonder Woman?

Queen Hippolyta is the ruler of Themyscira and Diana's mother, representing wisdom and protective leadership. She initially disapproves of Diana's intense training, driven by a mother's desire to shield her daughter from harm. Her character embodies the themes of love, sacrifice, and the difficult choices leaders must make.

  • hippolyta
  • queen
  • amazon ruler
  • mother
  • diana's parent
Q10

Why is World War I significant to Wonder Woman's story?

World War I serves as the perfect historical backdrop because it represents a world in desperate need of hope and healing. The war's technological brutality and political complexity provide a stark contrast to Diana's idealistic worldview. This setting allows the film to explore whether pure good can exist in a world capable of such conflict, shaping Diana's mature understanding of humanity.

  • world war i
  • historical significance
  • war context
  • man's world

Movie threads

More Movies Like Wonder Woman, by Mood & Story

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

Epic War Hero Journeys like Wonder Woman

A hero rises from myth to confront the brutal reality of human conflict. Discover movies like Wonder Woman that feature powerful heroes entering a world at war. These similar action and fantasy stories combine epic myth with the harsh reality of battle, following a determined protagonist on a mission to bring hope and end the conflict, often at a great personal cost.

  • epic
  • heroic
  • tense
  • tragic
  • hopeful
  • empowering
  • Tone: hopeful, epic, tragic
  • Pacing: variable, building to climactic battles
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a classic hero's journey, but set against the backdrop of a large-scale war. The protagonist, often possessing unique abilities or a pure heart, leaves a sheltered life to confront the chaos of battle. Their quest is to stop the war, but they must grapple with the complex morals of humanity and the true nature of evil, leading to a climactic confrontation that tests their core beliefs.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared structure of placing a mythic or super-powered hero into a historical or fictional war. They balance large-scale action set pieces with a character-driven exploration of idealism versus disillusionment, resulting in stories that are both thrilling and emotionally resonant.

Bittersweet Superhero Stories like Wonder Woman

Stories where saving the world comes with a profound personal price. If you liked the ending of Wonder Woman, explore other movies with bittersweet superhero victories. These similar films feature heroes who save the day but are left changed by the cost of their triumph, blending action and adventure with a poignant, emotionally mature conclusion.

  • bittersweet
  • heroic
  • tragic
  • resonant
  • hopeful
  • sacrifice
  • Tone: bittersweet, hopeful, resonant
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative arc follows a hero who succeeds in their primary mission, but the path to victory forces them to confront harsh truths and make significant sacrifices. The ending acknowledges the win but emphasizes the scars it left, focusing on the hero's growth from naive idealism to a more complex, wiser understanding of their role and the world they protect.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their emotionally complex endings that balance triumph with tragedy. They resonate with viewers seeking stories where heroism has tangible consequences, moving beyond simple good-versus-evil narratives to explore the nuanced, often painful, realities of being a savior.

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Movies Like Wonder Woman

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Every angle

Wonder Woman (2017) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Wonder Woman in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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