Blackbird

Lily is the matriarch facing an incurable illness, whose weekend farewell becomes a crucible for family loyalties. She wields warmth and authority, guiding rituals while guarding her autonomy in the face of death. Her presence blends grace with quiet pressure, pushing others to confront their own limits. She embodies dignity and resolve in choosing her own end.

Paul is Lily’s husband, the family patriarch who quietly steers the conversation toward Lily’s end. He plans the euthanasia with care, considering legal and ethical constraints and even hinting at misleading authorities to protect Lily’s choice. He carries a mix of tenderness and secrecy, balancing loyalty to Lily with the weight of family expectations. His actions catalyze the weekend’s moral storms as old loyalties collide with modern ethics.

Anna is Lily’s estranged daughter, recently dealing with bipolar disorder and a history of institutionalisation. Her arrival unsettles the family and exposes painful truths about belonging and forgiveness. She is determined to intervene when the euthanasia is proposed, yet she is vulnerable and seeks connection with her sister and parents. Her struggles illuminate the fragility of reconciliation within a family carrying secrets.

Jennifer is Lily’s other daughter, practical and protective of her mother, wary of Anna and interfering dynamics. She acts as a mediator who hides doubts beneath a composed exterior, and she faces the stress of a troubling discovery when the pentobarbital is found. Her loyalty to Lily challenges her to confront painful truths and balance truth with family harmony. She embodies a conflicted devotion to both mother and sisters.

Anna’s partner, who is not fully aligned with either side and seems uneasy about the plan to block the euthanasia. He worries about Anna’s wellbeing and struggles with loyalty to her while trying to respect Lily’s autonomy. His presence adds tension to the household as ethical choices collide with relationship loyalties. He embodies conflict between personal ethics and family allegiances.

Jennifer’s husband, a social observer who appears practical and distant, contributing to the family’s dynamics with a sense of tradition and formality. He participates in rituals and conversations with a measured tone, sometimes clashing with newer perspectives. His stance underscores the friction between contemporary attitudes and established expectations within the family.

Lily’s long-time friend, who has been part of the family trips and holds a discreet place within the weekend’s dynamics. Her presence hints at a hidden closeness with Paul and adds complexity to loyalties and trust. She surfaces as both confidant and potential source of tension, depending on how truths emerge.

Jon is Lily’s grandson, observant and curious, who asks for life advice and reveals his own dream of becoming an actor. His perspective provides a lens of youth amid adult turmoil and his questions probe meaning, ambition, and the future for the family. He embodies innocence and the hope of pursuing passion despite family struggles.