Hanging Heart

A struggling stage actor in Los Angeles who becomes entangled in a web of manipulation, sex, and murder as he is accused of killing his partners. He vacillates between artistic ambition and vulnerability, with his identity caught between performance and reality. His search for autonomy is crushed under legal and psychological scrutiny.

Denny’s friend and fellow actor who moonlights as an escort. She shows empathy for Denny but navigates a dangerous social circle, ultimately becoming entangled as power players threaten those around him. Her loyalty and complexity add tension to the unfolding drama.

Denny’s girlfriend and fellow actress who is murdered during a backstage encounter. Her death catalyzes the investigation and deepens the tragedy surrounding Denny’s trial. Cathy’s fate underscores the film’s danger for women in a world of excess and obsession.

A friend or colleague in the theater circle who briefly steps into Denny’s life during the crisis and becomes another murder victim. Her death echoes the pattern of violence targeting Denny’s partners, intensifying the mystery.

A wealthy attorney who initially appears as a lifeline to Denny, offering care and bail, then manipulates and murders Denny’s partners out of lust and control. He functions as the story’s central antagonist, blurring the lines between protector and predator.

The prosecuting attorney who fights to convict Denny, accusing him of misogyny and murder. He clashes with the defense and plays a pivotal role in the courtroom drama, even breaking into the defendant’s circle to intimidate witnesses.

A fellow actor who exists within the same LA theater milieu. While not central to the crime plot, he represents the social circle that surrounds Denny and the showbiz world that frames the drama.

The psychiatrist involved in Denny’s therapy, whose testimony influences the bail decision and provides insight into Denny’s traumatic past. The sessions reveal the depth of his psychological scars and shape the courtroom strategy.

The judge presiding over the case who weighs the admissibility of testimony and the conditions of bail. His rulings shape the tempo of the trial and the eventual outcome.

A hospital staff member who assists in the psychiatric setting alongside Denny’s treatment. His presence underscores the institutional setting of the character’s mental health journey.