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Zero Charisma (2013) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Zero Charisma (2013) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 86 min · English
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Directed by
Andrew Matthews, Katie Graham

A self-proclaimed grand master of a fantasy board game faces a challenge when a charismatic newcomer threatens his authority. As the stakes rise, the eccentric group descends into chaos, forcing the beleaguered leader to confront his own insecurities and find a way to adapt and maintain control. He must navigate the escalating conflict and the dynamics of the group to survive.

On this page (9)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Character relationship map
  4. 4 Where & when it takes place
  5. 5 Themes & meaning (3)
  6. 6 Character & meaning questions
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Movies like Zero Charisma
  9. 9 Every angle
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5 main characters · contains spoilers

Zero Charisma Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Zero Charisma (2013), 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.

  • Scott Weidemeyer

    Scott is a delivery driver with a passion for tabletop games, embodying both gruffness and vulnerability. Throughout the film, he struggles with feelings of inadequacy and jealousy, especially towards Miles, but ultimately seeks growth and acceptance.

    • 👨‍💻 Gamer
    • 😠 Jealousy
    • 💪 Growth
  • Wayne

    Wayne serves as Scott’s best friend and is supportive throughout the ups and downs of their gaming nights. His character reveals the importance of true friendship and the struggles of feeling superior and inferior in their relationship.

    • 🤝 Friendship
    • 😔 Betrayal
  • Miles

    Miles represents the cool and easy-going foil to Scott's overbearing nature. His integration into Scott's gaming group challenges Scott's authority and forces him to confront his insecurities, providing a contrast to Scott's frustrations.

    • 🕶️ Hipster
    • 😎 Relaxed
  • Wanda

    Wanda, Scott's grandmother, serves as an emotional anchor in his life. Her stroke acts as a catalyst for Scott's personal crises and pushes him to reevaluate his priorities and the way he treats his family.

    • 👵 Wisdom
    • 💔 Family
  • Barbara

    Barbara is Scott's estranged mother, whose return introduces conflict and unresolved issues from Scott's past. Her character highlights the impact of neglect and abandonment, setting the stage for Scott's emotional turmoil.

    • 👩‍👦 Resentment
    • 🌪️ Chaos

Last updated: October 28, 2026 at 20:22

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8 characters · 7 connections · contains spoilers

Zero Charisma Character Relationship Map

Who is connected to whom in Zero Charisma: family, love, friendships, rivalries and hidden ties, colour-coded. Pick a character to see their side of the story, or a connection to see what brings two characters together.

How much of the story to show
SWScottWeidemeyerWWayneMMilesWWandaBBarbaraBBobGGGreg GoranPPete

Last updated: October 28, 2026 at 20:22

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Setting

Where and When Does Zero Charisma Take Place?

The setting of Zero Charisma (2013): 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 does not specify a particular time period but follows Scott's life and relationships in modern times. It reflects contemporary social dynamics and the challenges of adulthood, including familial relationships, jealousy, and personal growth.

Location

Arizona

Arizona is known for its vast deserts, beautiful landscapes, and vibrant communities. The film concludes in a retirement community in Arizona where Scott adjusts to a new way of life, indicating a shift towards acceptance and growth.

  • 🌵 Arizona
  • 🏠 Home

Last updated: October 28, 2026 at 20:22

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3 major themes

Zero Charisma Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Zero Charisma (2013) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Competition

    Competition is a driving force for Scott, as he struggles to maintain his position in the gaming group. His jealousy of Miles represents a deeper insecurity about his life choices, pushing him to confront both his flaws and his friendships.

  • Family Struggles

    The film delves into family dynamics, particularly Scott's turbulent relationship with his mother and the impact of his grandmother’s health on his emotional state. This theme exposes the complexities of familial love and resentment, showcasing how past grievances affect present relationships.

  • Self-Discovery

    Scott's journey is ultimately one of self-discovery, as he learns to navigate jealousy and accept change. His growth is symbolized through his interactions at the retirement community, where he finds joy and purpose outside of his previous competitive environment.

Last updated: October 28, 2026 at 20:22

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Character & theme questions

Zero Charisma Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Zero Charisma (2013): 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 film takes place primarily in Arizona, with the story concluding at a retirement community in the state. This setting reflects the everyday, relatable world of the characters while the final location symbolizes Scott's personal journey toward acceptance and growth.

  • arizona
  • setting
  • retirement community
  • desert
Q2

What time period does the movie take place in?

The movie is set in modern contemporary times, reflecting current social dynamics and the challenges of adulthood. While no specific year is mentioned, it follows Scott's life using familiar settings like game nights, family homes, and everyday workplaces.

  • modern
  • contemporary
  • time period
  • present day
Q3

Who is Scott Weidemeyer?

Scott Weidemeyer is the film's protagonist, a delivery driver who harbors a deep passion for tabletop games. He embodies both gruffness and vulnerability, constantly struggling with feelings of inadequacy and jealousy, particularly toward those who challenge his position in the gaming world.

  • scott weidemeyer
  • protagonist
  • main character
  • delivery driver
Q4

Who is Miles in the movie?

Miles is the charismatic newcomer who enters Scott's gaming group and threatens Scott's authority. He represents a cool, easy-going foil to Scott's overbearing nature, forcing Scott to confront his insecurities about his life choices and leadership.

  • miles
  • charismatic
  • newcomer
  • antagonist
Q5

What role does Wayne play in the story?

Wayne is Scott's best friend and provides consistent support throughout the film's challenges. His character highlights the importance of genuine friendship while also exploring the complex dynamics of feeling superior and inferior within close relationships.

  • wayne
  • best friend
  • supporting character
Q6

Who is Wanda in relation to Scott?

Wanda is Scott's grandmother and serves as an emotional anchor in his life. Her stroke acts as a catalyst for Scott's personal crises, forcing him to reevaluate his priorities and the way he treats his family.

  • wanda
  • grandmother
  • family
  • emotional anchor
Q7

Who is Barbara in the film?

Barbara is Scott's estranged mother, whose return introduces unresolved conflict from Scott's past. Her character highlights the impact of neglect and abandonment, setting the stage for Scott's emotional turmoil and deepening the film's exploration of family struggles.

  • barbara
  • mother
  • estranged
  • family conflict
Q8

What role does competition play in the movie?

Competition drives much of the film's tension, as Scott struggles to maintain his position within the gaming group. His jealousy of Miles represents a deeper insecurity about his life choices, pushing him to confront both his personal flaws and his friendships.

  • competition
  • jealousy
  • gaming
  • authority
Q9

How does the movie explore family relationships?

The film delves deeply into family dynamics, particularly Scott's turbulent relationship with his mother Barbara and the impact of his grandmother Wanda's health on his emotional state. It showcases how past grievances and abandonment affect present relationships, revealing complexities of familial love and resentment.

  • family
  • relationships
  • mother
  • grandmother
  • conflict
Q10

What is the movie's message about self-discovery?

Scott's journey is ultimately one of self-discovery, as he learns to navigate jealousy and accept change. His growth is symbolized through interactions at the retirement community, where he finds joy and purpose outside his previous competitive environment, representing tangible progress despite incomplete resolution.

  • self-discovery
  • growth
  • change
  • acceptance
  • personal growth
Q11

How does the movie address insecurity and jealousy?

Insecurity and jealousy serve as the film's emotional core, particularly Scott's jealousy toward Miles. These emotions stem from Scott's feelings of inadequacy about his life choices and manifest through his overbearing control over the gaming group, creating both comedic tension and dramatic conflict.

  • insecurity
  • jealousy
  • inadequacy
  • emotional struggle

Movie threads

More Movies Like Zero Charisma, by Mood & Story

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

Cringe Comedies with Heart like Zero Charisma

Movies that find humor in social failure but empathy in the characters. If you liked the blend of awkward humor and character depth in Zero Charisma, explore these movies. They balance cringe comedy with genuine empathy, finding laughs in social misfits while still telling hopeful stories of personal growth and connection.

  • cringe comedy
  • awkward
  • pathetic
  • empathetic
  • hopeful
  • insecure
  • Tone: bittersweet, awkward, eventually hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a socially inept or deeply insecure protagonist whose actions create a trail of comedic, often painful, awkwardness. The conflict is primarily internal and social, forcing the character to confront their flaws. The journey is not about grand redemption but about small, hard-won steps toward self-awareness and connection.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread are grouped by their unique tonal blend. They share a specific kind of humor rooted in second-hand embarrassment, yet they maintain an emotional core that prevents the comedy from becoming cruel, resulting in a bittersweet but ultimately hopeful viewing experience.

Movies about Losing Control of a Niche World like Zero Charisma

Stories about characters whose entire identity is tied to a small, controlled domain. Fans of Zero Charisma will appreciate these stories about characters whose identity is built around a small domain. When a rival threatens their authority, they must confront their insecurities in tales of rivalry, arrested development, and the dynamics of found families.

  • competitive
  • frustrated
  • insecure
  • territorial
  • resentful
  • pathetic
  • Tone: bittersweet, frustrated, competitive
  • Pacing: steady, building to confrontations
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot revolves around a territorial conflict within a microcosm. The protagonist's rigid worldview and authority are challenged by a new, often more charismatic, presence. This external threat exposes the protagonist's deep-seated insecurities, leading to a crisis that forces them to either adapt or face total collapse within their small but vital world.

Why they belong together: These films share a core narrative pattern: a protagonist whose identity is inextricably linked to a niche domain faces a challenge to their rule. The focus is on the psychological and social dynamics of this power struggle, exploring themes of insecurity, rivalry, and the painful process of personal change.

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Movies Like Zero Charisma

Similar movies to Zero Charisma: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

Zero Charisma (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Zero Charisma 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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