Before and After

A devoted mother who fights to uncover the truth about Martha’s death while protecting her son. She confronts fear and social ostracism, ultimately taking a stand in the courtroom that challenges her own husband and the town’s assumptions. Her moral resolve drives the family toward honesty, even at personal cost.

A sculptor and father who initially withholds information to shield Jacob, clashing with his wife’s insistence on transparency. His protective instincts collide with legal risk, setting off a struggle between family loyalty and moral responsibility. He faces consequences for his attempts to influence the narrative.

The son at the center of the blow to the town’s trust, who is accused yet reveals a complicated, coerced truth. He explains his years-long journey via postcards and trains, and his eventual confession after a tense family conflict. His actions expose the fragility of innocence and the weight of guilt.

The police sheriff who pushes for answers and scrutinizes the Ryan family, embodying the relentless pursuit of truth in a murder case. He presses for access to Jacob and probes with persistent interrogations, intensifying the family’s tension. His role heightens the sense of legal pressure surrounding the case.

A stern, procedural judge presiding over the arraignment and grand jury processes. He navigates conflicting testimonies and rules on evidentiary matters, shaping the legal outcome for Jacob and the Ryans. His decisions underscore the formal mechanism that mediates truth and guilt.