Apostasy

A devout Jehovah's Witness who lives with her two daughters and upholds strict adherence to church rules. She exerts firm control over family life, often shaping decisions to fit doctrinal expectations. Her love for her children is tempered by a willingness to manipulate situations to preserve the congregation's standards. She embodies the elder-led authority that drives conflict within the family.

Eighteen-year-old gardener who has just come of age and balances faith with a desire for independence. She battles a medical condition that makes a blood transfusion a life-or-death issue, highlighting the real-world impact of religious doctrine on health. Her position within the family and her future plans (college) show the pull between personal growth and communal expectations.

Luisa becomes pregnant and is disfellowshipped after a relationship outside the faith, isolating her from family and community. She navigates the emotional fallout of shunning while trying to assert some autonomy within the constraints of the religion. Her conflict with the elders and Ivanna drives the narrative toward questions of love, loyalty, and the possibility of reinstatement.

A newly arrived elder who appears friendly but uses church authority to guide and restrain relationships within the congregation. He courts Alex, then directs Ivanna to minimize contact with Luisa, illustrating how new leadership can influence family dynamics. His role exposes the coercive side of religious governance and its impact on personal choices.

A veteran member of the church elders who upholds the group’s policies, including disfellowshipping practices. He represents the institutional voice that can override individual needs in the name of doctrinal purity. His presence reinforces the power structure at the heart of the family’s crisis.