Soul - Characters & Cast

Initially, Joe's sole motivation is to return to his body in time for his big break with jazz legend Dorothea Williams, which he sees as his life's purpose. This singular focus drives his actions for much of the film.

Joe begins as a man who believes his life is unfulfilled because he hasn't achieved his dream of being a famous jazz musician. His journey through the afterlife and his experience mentoring 22 force him to re-evaluate his priorities. He ultimately learns that a successful life is not measured by fame or accomplishment but by the joy and appreciation of living each day to the fullest. He transforms from someone chasing a singular dream to someone who embraces the entirety of life's experiences.

Her primary motivation is to avoid going to Earth at all costs. She has a dim view of life and has been in the Great Before for centuries. She initially helps Joe only as a means to get rid of him and remain in her comfortable, non-committal existence.

22 starts as a cynical and sarcastic soul who sees no point in living on Earth. Having failed to find her 'spark' for millennia, she is resistant to the idea of life. However, by experiencing the world through Joe's body, she discovers the simple joys of being human. She evolves from a detached and jaded being to one who is eager and ready to embrace life, finding her spark not in a specific passion but in the experience of living itself.

Libba's motivation is rooted in her love for Joe and her desire to see him have a stable and secure life, free from the financial struggles she witnessed with his father.

Libba is introduced as a caring but cautious mother who wants stability for her son, urging him to take the secure full-time teaching job. She is wary of the precarious life of a musician, having experienced it with her late husband. Her arc involves coming to fully support Joe's dream, not just out of love, but with an understanding of its importance to him. This is shown when she lovingly prepares his father's suit for his big performance.

Her motivation is to maintain the excellence of her quartet and her music. She is discerning and only accepts the best musicians, which is why the opportunity she gives Joe is so significant.

Dorothea is a respected and no-nonsense jazz legend. She represents the pinnacle of the world Joe wants to enter. While her character doesn't have a significant arc, she serves as a catalyst for Joe's journey and later provides a crucial piece of wisdom through the parable of the fish, which helps Joe process his feelings of anticlimax after achieving his dream.