Bohemian Rhapsody
A bombastic musical odyssey chronicling the meteoric rise of a rock legend, pulsating with the raw energy of rebellion and the poignant ache of loneliness.
Bohemian Rhapsody
Bohemian Rhapsody

"Fearless lives forever."

24 October 2018 United Kingdom 135 min ⭐ 8.0 (17,338)
Director: Bryan Singer
Cast: Rami Malek, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Joseph Mazzello, Lucy Boynton
Drama Music
Identity and Self-Acceptance The Loneliness of Fame Family and Belonging Artistic Innovation and Rebellion
Budget: $52,000,000
Box Office: $910,813,521

Bohemian Rhapsody - Characters & Cast

Character Analysis

Freddie Mercury

Rami Malek

Archetype: The Maverick/The Tragic Hero
Key Trait: Flamboyant

Motivation

To transcend his humble beginnings and become a legend. He is driven by a deep need for love and acceptance, both from the audience and from those close to him. His primary motivation is to create groundbreaking music and to be a performer who gives people "a touch of the heavens."

Character Arc

Freddie begins as Farrokh Bulsara, a shy baggage handler with a powerful voice and grand ambitions. He transforms into the charismatic and flamboyant frontman of Queen, embracing a hedonistic lifestyle that leads to fame, loneliness, and alienation from his bandmates. After a period of isolation and a devastating AIDS diagnosis, he reconciles with his band and family, culminating in a triumphant and redemptive performance at Live Aid, solidifying his legacy as a rock god before his tragic death.

Brian May

Gwilym Lee

Archetype: The Intellectual/The Anchor
Key Trait: Thoughtful

Motivation

To create innovative and timeless rock music. He is motivated by a passion for his craft and a deep loyalty to his bandmates, whom he considers family.

Character Arc

Brian is the steady, intellectual force in the band. He is a supportive friend to Freddie and often acts as a peacemaker during conflicts. His arc is less about personal transformation and more about his role as a constant, grounding presence within the turbulent dynamics of the band. He is instrumental in creating Queen's signature sound with his innovative guitar work.

Roger Taylor

Ben Hardy

Archetype: The Rebel/The Pragmatist
Key Trait: Outspoken

Motivation

To achieve rock and roll stardom and to maintain the integrity of the band's sound. He is also motivated by a desire to be heard and respected within the creative process.

Character Arc

Roger is the fiery and often outspoken drummer of the band. He is quick to voice his opinions and frequently clashes with Freddie over the band's musical direction and Freddie's behavior. His arc shows him maturing from a hot-headed young rocker to a loyal friend who stands by Freddie in his time of need.

John Deacon

Joseph Mazzello

Archetype: The Quiet Observer
Key Trait: Reserved

Motivation

To provide the solid musical foundation for the band and to maintain harmony within the group. He is a family man who values stability and loyalty.

Character Arc

John, or "Deaky," is the quiet and unassuming bassist who often serves as the band's silent anchor. He is a keen observer of the group's dynamics and contributes some of their biggest hits. His arc is subtle, but he evolves from the new guy to an integral and respected member of the Queen family.

Mary Austin

Lucy Boynton

Archetype: The Soulmate/The Confidante
Key Trait: Loyal

Motivation

Her primary motivation is her deep love and concern for Freddie. She wants to see him happy and safe, and she remains a constant source of support for him throughout his tumultuous life.

Character Arc

Mary starts as Freddie's girlfriend and fiancée, and later becomes his lifelong best friend and confidante. Her arc is one of unconditional love and acceptance. Even after their romantic relationship ends, she remains the most important and grounding person in Freddie's life, the one person he truly trusts.

Cast

Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury
Gwilym Lee as Brian May
Ben Hardy as Roger Taylor
Joseph Mazzello as John Deacon
Lucy Boynton as Mary Austin
Aidan Gillen as John Reid
Allen Leech as Paul Prenter
Tom Hollander as Jim Beach
Mike Myers as Ray Foster
Aaron McCusker as Jim Hutton
Meneka Das as Jer Bulsara
Ace Bhatti as Bomi Bulsara
Priya Blackburn as Kashmira Bulsara
Max Bennett as David
Dermot Murphy as Bob Geldof