Burke & Hare

Charismatic yet calculating, Burke is the driving force behind the scheme, using charm to recruit partners and justify their actions. He blends wit with a ruthless pragmatism, framing murder as a means to secure love and a better life. His willingness to gamble moral boundaries culminates in a self-justifying resolve when caught between loyalty and avarice.

Hare is the more practical, often volatile counterpart whose fear of risk is tempered by a hunger for money. He navigates danger with a gritty realism, balancing Burke’s grand plans with his own survival instincts. His moral flexibility keeps the plot in motion and heightens the tension when consequences loom.

Ginny embodies ambition and yearning, using performance and charm to pursue a brighter future. Her relationship with Burke adds a personal stake to the crime, intertwining love with a desperate wish for success. She walks a fine line between vulnerability and complicity, illustrating how aspiration can pull people into danger.

A renowned surgeon who monetizes dissection, Knox embodies the slippery ethics of the era. He negotiates with Burke and Hare, treating bodies as commodities while offering a veneer of scientific progress. His calculations reveal how professional prestige can corrupt moral boundaries when money and status are at stake.

A menacing figure who represents the forces of law, order, and intimidation, McTavish pursues the criminals with ruthless efficiency. His presence escalates the danger and exposes the vulnerability of those who try to balance crime with self-preservation. He embodies the antagonistic pressure that drives the plot toward a dramatic confrontation.

As the narrator and symbol of justice, Angus frames the consequences of the characters’ actions. His perspective underscores the tension between spectacle and mortality, reminding the audience of the ultimate price of crime. His remarks punctuate key moments, anchoring the film’s grim tone.