Rear Window - Characters & Cast

Initially motivated by boredom and a professional photographer's curiosity, Jeff's motivation shifts to a relentless obsession with solving what he believes is a murder. This obsession allows him to avoid confronting his own personal problems, namely his fear of marriage and intimacy with Lisa.

Jeff begins the film as a passive, detached observer, cynical about marriage and emotionally distant from Lisa. His obsession with the potential murder forces him out of his passivity, making him an active participant in the events he's watching. Though physically immobile, he develops from a mere spectator into a director of the investigation. By the end, through the shared danger and Lisa's demonstrated bravery, he seems to overcome his commitment fears, as symbolized by his relaxed sleep in the final scene and Lisa's comfortable presence.

Lisa's primary motivation is her love for Jeff and her desire to prove that she can be a part of his life, adventure and all. She wants to break through his emotional barriers and convince him that their different worlds are not an obstacle to marriage. Her participation in the mystery becomes the ultimate way to demonstrate her suitability as his partner.

Lisa is initially presented as a 'perfect' and 'sophisticated' socialite, a woman Jeff believes is ill-suited for his lifestyle. She transitions from a skeptical observer of Jeff's spying to an enthusiastic and courageous participant in the investigation. Her arc is one of defying expectations; she proves her resourcefulness and bravery, ultimately becoming the film's active hero by physically entering the dangerous situation Jeff can only watch. By the end, she has bridged the gap between their two worlds.

Stella is motivated by a no-nonsense sense of duty as Jeff's nurse and a grounded wisdom about human nature. She is also driven by a natural human curiosity and a desire for justice (and a bit of excitement), which leads her to eagerly assist in the investigation once she's convinced something is amiss.

Stella is initially the film's moral compass, warning Jeff against his voyeurism and scolding him with pragmatic, witty observations. However, her own curiosity gets the better of her, and she is quickly drawn into the mystery, becoming a loyal and practical accomplice to Jeff and Lisa. Her arc shows how the allure of a mystery can overcome initial ethical objections, representing the everyday person's fascination with the private lives of others.

Thorwald's motivation, as pieced together by Jeff and confirmed in the end, is to murder his nagging wife. His actions throughout the film—packing the trunk, cleaning the apartment, disposing of evidence—are all driven by the need to cover up his crime.

Thorwald is observed entirely from a distance for most of the film, making him a blank slate onto which Jeff projects his suspicions. He is initially portrayed through Jeff's lens as a henpecked husband who finally snaps. His character arc is revealed in reverse; we see the aftermath of his actions before understanding the man himself. He only becomes a fully realized, three-dimensional threat when he finally crosses the courtyard and confronts Jeff, moving from a distant object of speculation to an immediate, physical danger.