The Oscar race is always filled with fascinating films, and the year 2017 was no different. Lady Bird, the coming-of-age movie written and directed by Greta Gerwig, told the story of Christine McPherson (Saoirse Ronan), a teenage girl who calls herself “Lady Bird.” She’s got a lot of spunk, could be a lot nicer to her mother, and is basically having a tough time during her final year of high school.
The characters in this critical darling of a film are definitely worth looking at. Here is the MBTI of each of the major characters in Lady Bird.
10. Father Leviatch: ESFP
Father Leviatch (Stephen McKinley Henderson) is going through an incredibly tough time and he ends up in the hospital which is heartbreaking to watch.
His MBTI would be ESFP or “Enthusiastic Improviser.” Although he’s struggling right now (and Lady Bird’s mom is there for him), he teaches Lady Bird and her classmates drama, so he has a creative side and is also “outgoing” so he fits into this personality type. He’s wise and also very observant.
9. Jenna Walton: ISTP
It seems like every movie about teenage girls has a “popular” girl and that’s Jenna Walton (Odeya Rush). Her MBTI would be ISTP or “Logical Pragmatist” because she’s logical in the way that only a high schooler who cares about being trendy and liked can be.
She’s “analytical” in the way that she observes the high school scene around her, she’s “confident” but she’s also “detached.” She’s the kind of person who’s always wondering if someone more interesting is around.
8. Diana Greenway: ISTJ
Diana Greenway (Laura Marano) is a tell it like it is type of person. She and Lady Bird go to school together. As she says in one scene, “I heard that before he became a priest, he was married, and had a son named Etienne, who died at 17 of a drug overdose, which maybe was a suicide. But my mom says same difference, if you’re that careless with your life.”
Diana’s MBTI would be ISTJ or “Responsible Realist.” As evident from that quote, she’s “sensible” (but in her own weird, unique way) and she’s also detail-oriented.
7. Sister Sarah Joan: INFP
Sister Sarah Joan (Lois Smith) is an INFP or “Thoughtful Idealist.” She sees things in a very positive way, even if her students can’t quite get on the same page. For example, when Lady Bird writes an essay about their hometown, Sister Sarah Joan says, “You write about Sacramento so affectionately and with such care.” When Lady Bird says “I guess I pay attention” Sister Sarah Joan asks, “Don’t you think maybe they are the same thing? Love and attention?”
This is a beautiful scene and speaks to what INFPs do: as the official description says, “They typically try to help others with their growth and inner development to reach their full potential.”
6. Kyle Scheible: INTP
Lady Bird has a massive crush on Kyle Scheible (Timothée Chalamet) in the way that a teenage girl can like someone who she doesn’t even know at all. Lady Bird is convinced that the two will live happily ever after.
They do date and then sleep together, which is the first intimate experience for Lady Bird. It’s not anything even close to what she thought, and she’s not happy about that. He doesn’t feel the same way that she does because he always adopts a very “too cool for school” attitude. Danny’s MBTI would be INTP or “Objective Analyst.” These types are said to be “reserved” which is Danny’s whole vibe. He’s the token bad boy character in this film, and although he’s someone who will “challenge others,” this isn’t always for the best. He does need to grow up quite a lot.
5. Danny O’Neill: INFJ
Played by Lucas Hedges, Danny O’Neill and Lady Bird date for a brief period of time. He comes out to her after she learns that he’s gay and he doesn’t want her to tell anyone about it.
They have a hilarious exchange in the movie when he says, “Your mom is crazy, I’m scared of her” and she says, “She’s not crazy she just, you know, she has a big heart. She’s very warm.” He says “No, she’s warm, yeah but she’s also kind of scary.” When Lady Bird says that’s not possible he says Marion manages to be scary and warm at the exact same time.
Danny’s MBTI would be INFJ or “Insightful Visionary.” These types are “sensitive and reserved” and they are said to be quiet, and that’s how he is. Danny is “insightful” and “compassionate.”
4. Julie Steffans: ESFP
Beanie Feldstein’s Lady Bird character, Julie Steffans, is best friends with Lady Bird. The two of them generally get along great… except for the huge argument that the two of them get into when Julie says, “You can’t do anything unless you’re the center of attention!”
Julie’s MBTI would be ESFP or “Enthusiastic Improviser” because she’s “adaptable, friendly, and expressive” and she’s not afraid to say what she needs to say. She seems “easygoing” for part of the film, but once she tells her best friend what she really thinks about her, she’s definitely a “keen observer.”
3. Larry McPherson: INTP
Tracy Letts played Lady Bird’s dad, Larry, and he’s the kind of father figure who kind of fades into the background since the other members of the family are fairly loud and talkative. He’s kind, cares about his wife and daughter, and wants the best for them even when things feel very chaotic.
Larry’s MBTI would be INTP or “Objective Analyst.” He’s trying to take care of his family financially and he struggles a lot in that regard. He’s “logical” and “self-determined” and “conteplative.” He’s also got a good sense of humor, which is one of his best (and most hidden) qualities. When Lady Bird asks him, “Are you and Mom gonna get a divorce over this?” he says, “No. We can’t afford to.”
2. Marion McPherson: ENFJ
Marion (Laurie Metcalf) is Larry’s wife and Lady Bird’s mother, and she’s tough, intelligent, and totally hilarious. She has a dry sense of humor that is most apparent when she tells her daughter, “You should just go to City College. You know, with your work ethic just go to City College and then to jail and then back to City College and then maybe you’d learn to pull yourself up and not expect everybody to do everything.”
Marion’s MBTI is ENFJ or “Compassionate Facilitator.” ENFJs “are able to get the most out of teams by working closely with team members and make decisions that respect and take into account the impact on others.” This not only sounds like this particular character but also sounds like mothers in general. ENFJs are “verbal” (Marion has some great dialogue in the film) and also “inspire change.” She does her greatest to help her daughter, even when the two don’t get along.
1. Christine/Lady Bird: INFP
Saoirse Ronan plays the main character in Lady Bird and her MBTI sounds like an INFP or “Thoughtful Idealist.”
The best example of her personality is when she tells a teacher that “Lady Bird” is her name and “I gave it to myself, it’s given to me by me.” The fact that she even came up with her own name definitely proves that she has an idealistic way of seeing people and things and she wants her life to be a very specific way. She’s “curious” and “original” and also “complex.” This character is fascinating and one of the reasons why Lady Bird has gotten so much love and attention.
