Polyester

A large, emotionally volatile housewife whose life crumbles as her husband cheats, her children rebel, and her Catholic beliefs clash with family life. She fluctuates between self-pity, alcoholism, and bouts of determination, seeking a fresh start amid chaos. The arc blends melodrama with Waters's signature camp satire.

A polyester-clad husband who runs an adult movie theatre and treats his family as accessories in his self-aggrandizing world. His infidelity triggers Francine's crisis and exposes the hollowness of their suburban life.

Promiscuous, rebellious daughter who becomes pregnant and navigates abortion pressure amid hostile picketing. She evolves into a more free-spirited figure by the end, signaling a shift in the family’s dynamic.

Delinquent son who terrorizes women by stomping on their feet, is arrested, and later rebrands as an artist painting feet. His arc tracks a search for identity within a collapsing home.

Francine's cocaine-snorting mother, a class-conscious snob who robs her daughter and belittles her weight. She embodies pretension and fierce control, fueling the family’s combustible dynamics.

A simple-minded, warm-hearted housecleaner who consoles Francine and unexpectedly inherits money. She provides campy support to the family’s chaos and remains a steady, comic presence throughout.

Lu-Lu's degenerate boyfriend who contributes to the chaotic Halloween night and is ultimately killed by the house's mayhem and La Rue’s actions.

German chauffeur/fiancé to Cuddles, a surreal, ominous presence who participates in the family’s upheaval, culminating in the story’s final tumult.

Elmer's secretary and lover; her presence accelerates the marital breakdown and she is killed in the climactic confrontation.

A charming art-house drive-in owner who appears to offer Francine a new start but is revealed to be entangled with La Rue. His involvement foreshadows the betrayal at the heart of Francine’s new life.