Doin’ Time on Planet Earth

An intelligent teenage boy who feels like an outsider among his peers and family. His sharp mind opens doors to study abroad, but his social life remains limited to one friend. He is drawn toward the aliens’ claim, while also showing a capacity for genuine connection, particularly with Lisa, which ultimately influences his choices.

The self-proclaimed alien leader who, along with Virginia, uses the dating service to find others like them. He asserts extraordinary powers and a mission to return to a home planet, manipulating Ryan’s beliefs to extract the coordinates stored in his brain. His plan hinges on a countdown to departure and a penchant for theatricality.

A charismatic alien figure who collaborates with Charles to recruit others and to unlock the mystery of Ryan’s brain coordinates. She presents a confident, persuasive front that masks deeper uncertainties about the truth of their claims. Her involvement heightens the sense of mystery around the aliens’ intentions.

A lounge singer at the Holiday Inn who initially refuses Ryan due to age and lifestyle differences but later reciprocates his feelings. She serves as the emotional counterpoint to the alien narrative and becomes pivotal in Ryan’s decision about whether to join the others or stay grounded. Her presence grounds the story in human connection.

Ryan’s mother who represents the family’s domestic core. She embodies the supportive yet practical stance of a parent in a family business, helping to anchor the home life amid the extraordinary events. Her presence emphasizes the tension between family duty and individual longing.

Ryan’s father, owner and operator of the rotating Holiday Inn lounge who inadvertently becomes part of the aliens’ scheme. He ultimately demonstrates a protective instinct for his family by enabling the emergency brake that foils the aliens’ exit plan. His role turns the hotel into a space of both commerce and security.

Ryan’s older brother, engaged to the daughter of a politician in a plotted wedding that provide the backdrop for the film’s most momentous event. His engagement adds to the family’s pressures and shows a contrast between conventional life plans and extraordinary events unfolding around them.