Bad Ronald

A socially inept high school student with budding artistic talent who clings to a vivid fantasy world. His nickname and social treatment by peers fuel a growing isolation. After his mother’s illness and subsequent death, his coping mechanism hardens into a dangerous fixation over a princess and a prince. The tension between his imagination and reality drives the plot toward violence.

Ronald's overprotective mother who harbors hopes he will become a doctor to save her. She keeps up appearances to shield him from scandal while managing her own illness. Her sudden death removes the family’s protective buffer and pushes Ronald into a more solitary, secretive existence. Her parenting style indirectly shapes Ronald’s dangerous reliance on fantasy.

A nosy neighbor who becomes a catalyst for neighborhood gossip about the Wilbys. Her observations contribute to a climate of suspicion and fear that Ronald cannot escape. Her character embodies the intrusive scrutiny that accompanies small-town life. Her presence intensifies the sense of being watched in the community.

The Wood family matriarch who balances warmth with practical concern as the household adjusts to new occupants and emerging danger. She tries to preserve family harmony while facing the odd disturbances in the house. Her responses reflect the protective instincts of a mother in a domestic crisis.

The Wood patriarch who shares in the family’s daily life and decisions as Ronald’s shadow looms over the household. He represents the ordinary male authority within a fragile domestic setting. His attempts to maintain normalcy highlight the encroaching threat Ronald poses.

The Wood daughter who becomes associated with Ronald’s princess through his fantasy, acting as a focal point for his longing. Her interactions with the house and family dynamics help expose the danger hidden within the home. She embodies the vulnerable teenager caught in a dangerous, malevolent obsession.

One of the Wood sisters who remains skeptical of mysterious notes and the strange happenings. She helps drive the investigation and maintains a sense of realism in a volatile environment. Her cautious nature contrasts Ronald’s escalating fantasy.

The eldest Wood daughter who is dating Duane Matthews, providing a gateway for Ronald’s interference as his fantasy collides with real life. She embodies a balance between normal teenage concerns and the encroaching danger in the house. Her responses contribute to the unraveling of the mystery.

Ellen’s boyfriend, a well-liked member of the family’s circle who becomes entangled in Ronald’s fantasy conflict as the ‘evil duke’. His interactions with Ronald heighten the stakes and propel confrontations within the house. He represents external connection that Ronald attempts to sever or co-opt.

The girl Ronald attempts to ask out, whose rejection triggers a chain of humiliations that fuel his later actions. She embodies the social rejection that motivates Ronald’s descent. Her presence underscores the pain of adolescence and the dangers of unkind peer interactions.

Laurie’s younger sister who also taunts Ronald and becomes a victim of the chaotic household dynamics. Her brief interactions show Ronald’s volatility in moments of confrontation. Her role highlights the collateral damage of Ronald’s unraveling psyche.