Nunzio

A grown man with the demeanor of a child, Nunzio is gentle and earnest but feels burdensome to his family. His superhero fixation gives him a public persona of courage, even as he grapples with guilt, loneliness, and the pressure to do good. His ultimate act of bravery intertwines loyalty to family with self-sacrifice.

A neighbor married with a child, she becomes a troubling catalyst in Nunzio’s life when she coerces him into sex. Her actions complicate Nunzio’s sense of guilt and boundaries, intensifying his emotional turmoil. She represents a morally gray influence in the community surrounding Nunzio.

Leader of the neighborhood gang who bullies Nunzio. His antagonism triggers the chain of events that leads to the basement fire, illustrating how unchecked bravado can have dangerous consequences for others. He embodies the film’s tension between aggression and its fallout.

A bakery employee whom Nunzio admires from afar. He is heartbreakingly drawn to her, only to learn she is married with a child, which deepens his sense of longing and rejection. Her presence catalyzes Nunzio’s emotional arc and sense of unattainable normalcy.

The neighborhood grocer who employs Nunzio and acts as a steady, practical mentor figure. He represents a stable pillar in Nunzio’s turbulent life, offering a sense of belonging and responsibility within the community.

Nunzio’s brother, whose relationship with Nunzio adds a dynamic of familial support and rivalry. Jamesie helps ground Nunzio’s journey through shared history and emotional tension within the family unit.

A younger neighbor who looks up to Nunzio as a potential do-gooder. Georgie embodies innocence and the hopeful future Nunzio represents for the community.

Nunzio’s loving mother who balances nurturing, concern, and pride in her son’s aspirations. She anchors the family’s emotional life and frames the communal support system around Nunzio.