Drift

Older brother, protective and hot-headed, Andy drives the family’s risky pivot into a surf-focused business. He’s ambitious, pragmatic, and willing to take bold risks to secure a better future for his family, even as tensions with his younger brother rise. His leadership and stubbornness push the Drift venture forward, while personal relationships add complexity to his choices.

Young surf prodigy and Andy’s brother, Jimmy serves as the creative heart of Drift. He wrestles with purpose and identity beyond surfing, often seeking introspection and growth away from the harshness of external dangers. His skill in the water contrasts with his sometimes aimless life off the waves.

Their mother, a resilient sewist who works piecework to support her family. Kat anchors the household with practicality and care, navigating violence from the past while trying to provide stability for her sons. Her strength and pragmatism are a steadying force amid chaos.

A countercultural surf filmmaker who carries an anti-establishment vibe. JB complicates the brothers’ lives with his skepticism about rapid expansion but grows to see Drift as part of something larger. He becomes a catalyst for publicity and a mirror to the surfers’ ambitions.

Hawaiian companion to JB who joins the town’s surf scene. Lani becomes a steady ally and emotional counterpart to the brothers, helping to anchor Drift’s evolving dynamics. Her presence influences the relationships within the close-knit community.

Leader of the biker gang whose threats escalate the film’s tension. Miller represents the criminal underside of the era’s surf culture, driving conflict and testing the brothers’ resolve. His presence anchors the danger that threads through Drift’s ascent.

Heroin-addicted surfer used by the gang to move drugs; his tragedy underscores the human costs of the criminal network surrounding Drift. Gus’s struggles and ultimate suicide mark one of the darkest notes in the story’s arc.