Cisco Pike

A struggling singer drawn back into drug dealing after his arrest and failed demos. Clever and resourceful, he navigates a web of pressure from police, buyers, and personal relationships. His ambitions clash with a reality that threatens his freedom and art.

A detective who uses a tainted deal to coerce Cisco into selling drugs. Powerful and morally compromised, he manipulates evidence and arrest records. His pursuit of money and leverage drives much of the conflict and ends fatally as he is shot during the emergency response.

Cisco’s girlfriend, a steady presence who grows tired of the drug world. She helps Cisco and escapes with him, but ultimately decides to leave. Her loyalty is tested by danger, violence, and the strain on their relationship.

An enigmatic groupie who introduces Cisco to a major buyer. Her confidence and social circle become a conduit for money and deals, adding glamour and risk to Cisco’s quest.

One of Merna’s companions; participates in the drug world. Her dynamic with Cisco underlines themes of temptation and unstable relationships, highlighting the Sunset Strip scene’s density.

Cisco’s musician friend; recording at a studio, who rejects Cisco’s early demos. He embodies the artistic community and the music industry’s mutual dependencies, acting as a gatekeeper whose opinions shape Cisco’s fate.

Jesse is a bandmate whose drug addiction and overdose become pivotal. His fragility drives tension and affects Cisco, amplifying the film’s emotional weight and escalating the stakes with law enforcement.