D.O.A.

A tenured college professor who has grown safe and routine-bound, Dex is forced to confront his own mortality when he’s poisoned. Analytical and stubborn, he channels a renewed hunger for truth and life as the clock ticks down. His willingness to bend rules reveals a desperate, improvisational side as he pursues the killer.

A bright, loyal student who becomes Dex’s ally in the mystery. She transitions from a casual observer to an active participant, offering information and support even as she encounters real danger. Her presence steadies Dex while amplifying the emotional stakes.

Dex’s estranged wife who reveals an affair with Nick Lang. Her confession and later murder push Dex deeper into the case and into questions about loyalty and responsibility. Her fate heightens the sense of personal betrayal at the heart of the plot.

A talented student whose manuscript and romantic entanglements fuel the motive web surrounding the Fitzwaring family. His death becomes the spark that detonates the investigation and reveals a lineage of secrets. Nick’s connections ripple through the campus and the mansion alike.

Dex’s colleague whose actions drive the central poisoning plot. He embodies the dangerous temptation of academic ambition gone wrong. Hal’s deception and its consequences propel the narrative toward a dramatic, fatal confrontation.

The Fitzwaring daughter who becomes entangled in the family’s turmoil and Nick Lang’s romance. Her involvement reveals the fragility of reputations and the perilous line between love and obligation. Her actions shape the fatal climax.

The Fitzwaring chauffeur who acts as a tense intermediary in the murder of Nick and Gail. He physically enacts parts of the crime and is drawn into the deadly struggle that follows. His loyalty to the family collapses under pressure.

A wealthy widow who guards her family’s secrets with ruthless resolve. She orchestrates murder to protect her children’s reputations and fortune, and ultimately takes a drastic, self-inflicted end. Her maneuvers reveal the cost of maintaining appearances at any price.

The wealthy patriarch whose status and relationship to Nick Lang’s mother create a motive-rich backdrop. He becomes a casualty of the clashing loyalties and threats that ripple through the family’s web. His history with the Lang family intensifies the investigation’s stakes.

A jealous co-worker who stands as Dex’s principal rival. He has an airtight alibi for Gail’s murder, making him a persistent obstacle in Dex’s hunt for the truth. His meddling underscores the theme of professional jealousy within the academic world.

A police detective involved in the investigation, representing official authority and the pressure to close the case. He interacts with Dex as the murder inquiry unfolds around competing theories. His presence heightens the procedural tension of the film.

Another law-enforcement figure on the case, adding depth to the investigation’s procedural aspects. He contributes to the mounting sense of scrutiny Dex must navigate to prove his innocence. His role helps drive the plot toward its final revelations.