Onward
This poignant, modern fantasy adventure conjures a heartwarming tale of brotherhood and loss, as two elf siblings navigate a faded magical realm in a beat-up van, discovering that the most powerful spells are cast by unconditional love.
Onward
Onward

"Their quest beginneth."

29 February 2020 United States of America 102 min ⭐ 7.6 (6,482)
Director: Dan Scanlon
Cast: Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Octavia Spencer, Mel Rodriguez
Animation Family Fantasy Comedy Adventure
Brotherhood and Unconventional Family Grief, Loss, and Acceptance Magic vs. Modern Convenience Coming of Age and Self-Belief
Budget: $200,000,000
Box Office: $141,888,276

Onward - Characters & Cast

Character Analysis

Ian Lightfoot

Tom Holland

Archetype: The Reluctant Hero
Key Trait: Timid but magically gifted

Motivation

To complete the spell and spend one day with the father he never met.

Character Arc

Evolves from a timid, anxious teenager desperate for a father's approval into a confident, self-actualized wizard who realizes his brother was the mentor he needed all along [1.8].

Barley Lightfoot

Chris Pratt

Archetype: Mentor / Sidekick
Key Trait: Boisterous and fiercely loyal

Motivation

To protect Ian, share his love of history, and say the goodbye to his father that he was too afraid to say in the past.

Character Arc

Transforms from being viewed as a societal screw-up and annoying older brother into a valiant, knowledgeable protector who finally gets the closure he missed out on as a child.

Corey The Manticore

Octavia Spencer

Archetype: The Ally / Threshold Guardian
Key Trait: Passionate and fierce

Motivation

To help the brothers and prevent the curse of the Phoenix Gem from destroying them, righting her past compromises.

Character Arc

Awakens from a stressed, corporate sell-out to reclaiming her true identity as a fearless, mythical warrior.

Laurel Lightfoot

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Archetype: The Protective Mother
Key Trait: Devoted and courageous

Motivation

To track down Ian and Barley and keep them safe from the ancient curse.

Character Arc

Leaves her comfortable suburban life to team up with a Manticore, proving her immense bravery to protect her sons.

Cast

Tom Holland as Ian Lightfoot (voice)
Chris Pratt as Barley Lightfoot (voice)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Laurel Lightfoot (voice)
Octavia Spencer as The Manticore (voice)
Mel Rodriguez as Officer Colt Bronco (voice)
Kyle Bornheimer as Wilden Lightfoot (voice)
Lena Waithe as Officer Spector (voice)
Ali Wong as Officer Gore (voice)
Grey DeLisle as Dewdrop (voice)
Tracey Ullman as Grecklin (voice)
Wilmer Valderrama as Gaxton (voice)
John Ratzenberger as Construction Worker Fennwick (voice)
George Psarras as Officer Avel (voice)
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