Nightmare

A man reprogrammed by an experimental procedure, outwardly respectable but haunted by a violent, unresolved past. His fragile mental state, marked by nightmares and memory gaps, repeatedly pushes him toward murderous impulses. The character embodies a chilling tension between reform and relapse as he pursues his former family.

George’s former wife and the mother figure at the center of the Florida segment. She juggles single motherhood, a new relationship, and mounting fear as disturbing calls invade her life. Her instinct to protect Kim, Tammy, and C.J. anchors the family’s struggle to endure the threat.

The mischievous young son who becomes an inadvertent link between the past and the present danger. He experiences paranoia of being followed, yet his actions culminate in defending his family when confronted by the killer. His perspective highlights how childhood innocence collides with brutal reality.

One of Susan’s daughters, living in the Florida home. Tammy represents the vulnerable family member whose safety is jeopardized by the intrusions of a violent past made present. Her presence intensifies the protective instincts of the adults around her.

Susan’s other daughter who shares the Florida home and the danger it attracts. Kim’s experience mirrors the family’s fragile balance between normal life and a creeping threat, underscoring the stakes of keeping children safe.

Susan’s boyfriend in Florida, providing a complicated adult relationship amid the household’s turmoil. His presence adds another layer to the domestic dynamics and the strain of maintaining stability under crisis.

The babysitter who becomes entangled in the night’s danger as the killer closes in on the children. Her role heightens the sense of vulnerability in the household and the fragility of safety in unfamiliar environments.

A figure from George’s memory who embodies the coercive, abusive past. The memory of his father’s actions, including a brutal murder, catalyzes George’s violent trajectory and reveals the roots of his trauma.

George’s mother, a recalled presence in his childhood that underscores the family’s troubled history. Her character contributes to the exploration of family dynamics and the origins of George’s pathology.

A younger version of George that appears in flashbacks, illustrating the formative events that shape his later behavior. The portrayal provides context for the film’s exploration of trauma and identity.