Characters

The movie Nomadland directed by Chloé Zhao presents the story of Fern, a woman from a former company town who decides to take up living in a van and travelling throughout the US in search of seasonal work. The movie is character-driven, and Fern’s experiences and what she learns from them are the focus of the story.

All the other characters are presented in connection to Fern, and we only see them through her eyes. Still, they all have rich personalities of their own and their own life story. Fern’s best friend, Linda May, is also a nomad. She is warm and affectionate and always seems happy, even though she has gone through a very tough time. Swankie is another friend Fern makes during her travels. Swankie is tough and stubborn and does not hesitate to say what she thinks. She is the one who teaches Fern to take life on the road seriously.

Another important character is Dave. Although he also follows a nomadic lifestyle initially, he returns to his son’s place and settles down. He plays a significant role in Fern’s life, and at one point it seems as if Fern might even consider settling down with him. 

Other characters have smaller parts, but they all impact Fern in different ways. Dolly is Fern’s sister and she does not seem to understand Fern’s lifestyle. Bob Wells organizes meetings and teaches people how to survive on the road. Mackenzie used to be tutored by Fern. Derek is a character Fern meets only briefly, but she feels protective of him and might even see something of herself in him.

The relationship between Fern and some of these characters highlights one of the movie’s most important themes, that of community and forming connections. Fern’s interactions with these characters also reveal important aspects of her personality.

Full characterizations can be found in the following pages.