Grand Avenue

Mollie is the family matriarch who struggles with unemployment and alcoholism while trying to keep her family intact. Her journey toward sobriety marks the emotional core of the film as she seeks stability for her daughters and son. Her evolving relationship with Sherman provides a cautious path toward rebuilding trust.

Justine is the oldest daughter who seeks company among local gang members, leading to conflict and danger. Her choices create tension within the family, even as she navigates adolescence and longing. The arc shows how outside pressures pull at familial duty but ultimately contribute to the family's resilience.

Alice is the dependable daughter who anchors the family, turning to elder relatives for guidance. She shows patience and care as she helps keep the family together amid hardship. Her steadiness contrasts with Justine’s impulsiveness and Mollie’s struggle with sobriety.

Sheldon is the youngest member whose presence drives the family’s motivation to stay together. He observes the adults closely and embodies the need for a hopeful future after turmoil. His role anchors the narrative’s emotional core.

Nellie is an elder cousin who champions traditional knowledge and land defense. She teaches Alice basket weaving and healing, boosting confidence and continuity of culture. She also advocates for saving the tribe’s cemetery, linking personal healing to collective memory.

Steven is Mollie’s former love and Reyna’s husband, living a comfortable suburban life with his son Raymond. His perspective shifts as he uncovers long-buried family secrets, prompting him to protect the cemetery and support his wife’s journey.

Reyna is Steven’s wife who represents a stable, middle-class life and a bridge between the community and family values. Her presence anchors the household as the family confronts hidden histories. She supports the preservation of tribal lands and healing efforts.

Raymond is Steven and Reyna’s son who attends school and becomes a focal point in Justine’s life. His attraction to Justine adds complexity to family relationships and highlights the reach of the teenage dynamic into the adult world.

Jeanne is the cousin coping with cancer and cared for by her mother Anna. Her warnings to Justine show protective love, and her struggle adds gravity to the family’s journey through grief and resilience.

Anna is Jeanne’s mother who provides care and support within the family. Her presence reflects the enduring bonds of kinship that sustain everyone through illness, loss, and upheaval.

Sherman is a fellow recovering alcoholic who connects with Mollie and offers a path toward sobriety. Their budding relationship symbolizes healing through shared struggle and mutual support.