Pieces

A disturbed university dean who, as a child, murdered his mother over a jigsaw puzzle and later adopts a respected academic persona. In adulthood he stalks and murders students with brutal, ritualized precision, echoing his mother’s death. His calm exterior masks a compulsive drive to recreate the past through violence.

A seasoned detective who leads the investigation into the murders. He relies on profiling, careful observation, and collaboration with university staff to uncover the killer. Bracken embodies methodical determination in the face of grisly crime scenes.

Bracken’s partner who methodically processes evidence and coordinates responses to the escalating murders. He provides practical experience and steady support, helping to drive the case forward.

A former tennis star recruited to go undercover as a tennis instructor to lure the killer. She stays poised under pressure and becomes a crucial ally in decoding the killer’s methods. Her presence adds strategic depth to the investigation.

A female student who assists in profiling and becomes entangled in the killer’s schemes. She collaborates with Bracken and Mary, and remains a resilient presence as the case unfolds.

An anatomy professor who is perceived with suspicion by students, yet contributes important insights after examining remains. His position within the academic setting makes him a potential focal point in the investigation.

The campus groundskeeper who becomes a suspect as the investigation ties him to the campus environment where murders occur. His ordinary role contrasts with the concealed danger lurking on campus.

A determined reporter pursuing the truth about the murders, often clashing with police and challenging them to reveal information. She embodies the tension between media scrutiny and investigative caution.

One of Mary Riggs' students who becomes a victim in the locker room, illustrating the killer’s reach across campus life. Her fate reinforces the film’s grim atmosphere and the stakes of the investigation.