key CHARACTERS

JUSTIN – (20-25 years old). A complete arc that requires an actor with the physicality to handle Marine combat sequences and the vulnerability for PTSD, depression and volatility. Needs strong range from charismatic swagger and gallows humor to shut-down dissociation and explosive rage, plus credible military movement. Blue-Collar vibe. Hard-core war-fighter who wears a robe and bunny-slippers at a basement party with his buds. The progression from Marine’s Marine to lost victim of mis-guided Military Justice to a young man moving from highs to shattered lows like he is trapped on an eternal roller-coaster is a young actor’s dream role. A career maker.

DARRYL – (early fifties) Justin’s Dad. The second largest role in the film needs an actor who reads believably as a small-town working-class dad, with enough gravitas to stand strong opposite Marines, lawyers and reporters without ever feeling theatrical. Needs solid internal life: much of Darryl's arc is in what he doesn't say, in silent decisions and physical caretaking. Should be comfortable with mechanical business (garage, tools, cars). A rock that hides his fears from his family for their sake…but we see them.

THERESA – (forties/fifties) Justin’s Mom. Needs an actor capable of moving from quiet domesticity to high-stakes public advocacy, with strong emotional transparency and control. The Mom-next-door in a quiet life who is thrust into the spotlight as the public face of her son’s innocence. The Mom who is impacted to her core by the reality of the wars, both combat and legal, and post-trauma/betrayal that her son must endure. She is not frozen with fear, she is a fighter. But with time she knows that she is losing the fight.

JACKIE – (twenties) Justin’s older sister. Blue-Collar hip, breaking out to a new level. Subtle and watchful. As pretty and funny as she is smart and loving. Jackie is the bridge between her brother and their parents. She steps up during the trial. She doesn’t judge but calls out the truth.  As Justin deteriorates, Jackie becomes a confidante and late-night phone lifeline, articulating his patterns of drifting and emotional withdrawal while trying to remain close without being consumed. Playful, deeply caring, brave, solid and real.

GRIFFIN – (fifties) Justin’s civilian attorney, Griffin owns the trial phase. He plots the defense. He assigns roles and manages the media. He stands alone in the courtroom, shielding the family from the panel of Senior Officers, the Uniformed Military Prosecutors, the Officious Witnesses who seem determined on a finding of guilt. Smart, tough and relentless, Griffin takes the prosecution’s case down punch-by-punch. He knows what’s at stake if he fails and he carries it. Needs an actor who can

command a courtroom with intelligence and presence rather than bluster and handle dense legal and forensic dialogue clearly. Should be able to pivot between combative cross-examination and quiet, emotionally attuned scenes with the family.

These Key Characters are surrounded by a small wealth of clearly defined, very human supporting roles. No character is wasted or redundant.