Chicuarotes

A teenage resident of the neighborhood who longs for a better life with his girlfriend Sugehili. Impulsive and eager to change his circumstances, he toys with crime as a shortcut out of poverty. His choices pull him deeper into danger as plans escalate from petty theft to kidnapping.

Cagalera’s friend who joins the crime schemes. He is drawn to the idea of a quick fix for their poverty but becomes entangled in increasingly dangerous actions. His loyalty is tested as plans spiral out of control and consequences mount.

An ex-convict feared by the town and a friend of the butcher, he represents the violent authority pursuing the crime. He orchestrates intimidation and becomes a deadly obstacle for the young leads. His presence amplifies the sense that violence can define a life in this milieu.

Cagalera’s girlfriend, who works as a hairdresser. She acts with a degree of agency by intervening to release the kidnapped boy, and she ultimately chooses independence by stepping away from Cagalera. Her actions reveal complexity beyond a simple romantic subplot.

The abusive, alcohol-fuelled head of the household whose violence and control contribute to the family’s instability. He keeps money that becomes a flashpoint for the boys’ crime. His conflict with the family culminates in a dramatic, lethal turn.

Cagalera’s mother, who lives with her children in a fragile, troubled household. Her relationship with Baturro adds to the sense of danger and instability around the family. She ultimately kills Baturro by poisoning, a pivotal moment in the neighborhood’s turmoil.

A local hustler who tries to use the boys to pull off a retailer heist. His scheme exposes the thin line between opportunity and danger in the community. He becomes a focal point for police attention when the plan goes awry.

The town butcher whose son is the target of the kidnapping. He represents a vengeful, everyman figure whose personal stake in justice intensifies the pursuit and mob mentality surrounding the case.