Set in 1984, Diana Prince faces new villains and old flames. She deals with a wish-granting gadget called Dreamstone. Gal Gadot plays Wonder Woman. Chris Pine is Steve Trevor. Kristen Wiig takes on Barbara Minerva and Pedro Pascal is Maxwell Lord. Critics had mixed feelings, but they liked the performances and action.

Meet the characters from Wonder Woman 1984

Wonder Woman

Diana is the heart-and-sword of the whole movie, basically empathy in armor — fierce in a fight but somehow the only one who wants to help everyone, even the bad guys sometimes (agh, that gets her in trouble). She’s a little naive about modern media and malls, which is adorable because she can bench-press a car but hasn’t mastered the small talk; also she collects little mementos? I swear she loves awkward jokes and 80s sneakers, or maybe that was Steve, I can’t remember. Bottom line: idealistic warrior with a broken-sweet sense of loneliness and a lasso that will cut through your nonsense.

Steve Trevor

Steve is the best kind of impossible: charmingly out-of-time, utterly devoted to Diana, and somehow both an airman and a walking rom-com hero — and also he’s the guy who’ll make you pancakes at dawn. He’s goofy and earnest, military but with surprisingly soft vibes, like someone who still says “by gum” and also quotes pop lyrics. He shows up to be a moral compass and also a cheeky distraction; honestly, I love him, even when he’s doing reckless hero-stunts for the hundredth time. There’s a quiet sadness flickering behind the grin, which just makes him cuter and way more tragic.

Maxwell Lord

Max is the movie’s gleaming, sweaty, absolutely manic bundle of capitalism and heartbreak — slick suits, bigger-than-life speeches, a real snake-oil salesman who wants to be loved (and famous, and rich, and heard). He’s charismatic to the point of headache, with this desperation that makes you kinda root for him even as he literally breaks the world. He sells wishes like candy and then realizes the receipt comes with a terrible catch — ambitious, fragile, and insane all at once. Also, he has terrible hair choices sometimes? But it’s intentional, I swear.

Cheetah

Barbara is wild and awkward and honestly heartbreaking — nerdy archaeologist vibes one minute, primal cat predator the next; it’s like watching someone shed a skin and discover they are honestly cooler and more dangerous than they expected. She’s jealous, lonely, intense, and also very into field notes and tiny notebooks (or maybe that’s a lie but I pictured it). There’s this feral freedom to her that’s terrifying but kind of magnetic; she goes from “please accept me” to “I will bite you” in a blink. Sympathetic monster energy, with claws and a complicated best-friend history with Diana.

Antiope

Antiope is the big-hearted tough-as-nails Amazon leader who trains Diana and somehow makes gruff mentoring look like poetry; she’s stern, practical, and also has this sneaky warm laugh that you only hear after an elbow to the ribs. She’s all about discipline, honor, and very precise sword maintenance (I’m not joking — she probably oils her blades on Sundays). A true warrior with a soft spot for her people, and yes, she can absolutely rip your arm off if you ask for directions badly. She’s legendary, a little tragic, and honestly the reason Diana even knows how to act like a boss.

Hippolyta

Hippolyta is regal in a very human way — Queen, mother, political operator, and someone who carries centuries of responsibility with a raised eyebrow and a hidden smile. She’s fiercely protective of Themyscira and of Diana, which fuels part of the film’s emotional center, and she’ll guilt-trip you with one look. Also she loves art deco vases? Maybe she does, maybe she doesn’t, but she definitely has opinions on ceremonial outfits. Wise, sometimes stubborn, maternal but not saccharine — basically the coolest royal mom who also might bench-press protocol.

Handsome Man

Okay Handsome Man is a tiny, delightful bit of chaos — glossy, charming, like he was sprayed with cologne and confidence, and then sent to ruin someone’s day. He’s the classic “too smooth” cameo who you know is trouble but also kind of hypnotic; smirks a lot, probably owns a leather jacket and a bad watch. He appears briefly and you’re like “who was that?” and then he does a thing and it matters way more than you expected. A stylish footnote in the plot who somehow steals a beat or two.

Babajide

Babajide is one of those small-but-memorable faces who grounds the movie in real people — honest, steady, probably has a good laugh and the kindest eyes, and he leaves an impression even with minimal screen time. He feels like a guy who tells great stories at parties and knows the best local restaurants, but also can be quietly heroic if pushed. There’s something warm and real about him, like he’d remember your birthday and also judge your outfit choices in the nicest way. Tiny role, big heart energy, someone you’d want on your side in a crowd.

The President

The President is all authority with a side of befuddlement — suits, seriousness, and the crushing, hilarious realization that magic does not play by your briefings. He’s the symbol of power that’s suddenly impotent in the face of supernatural chaos, which is both tragic and darkly funny (he can’t fix wishes with an executive order, shock!). There’s a public-facing composure that slips into genuine panic and then back into diplomacy like it’s a weird sport. He’s important, he’s pressured, and he probably has a very specific tie rotation.