Ride the Pink Horse

A wary, hard-edged outsider with a personal vendetta. He hatches a plan to blackmail Frank Hugo to avenge his friend Shorty, mixing calculation with reckless risk. Gagin is resourceful, stubborn, and willing to bend rules to force a reckoning, yet he remains wary of the consequences.

A warm, loyal local who runs the tiovivo and shelters visitors. He provides hospitality and practical help, becoming a steady, protective presence in Gagin’s chaotic scheme. Pancho embodies the town’s generosity amid danger.

A spirited local woman who befriends Gagin and navigates the dangers of the fiesta. She acts as a catalyst and ally, showing resilience and courage in the face of coercion. Pila’s resourcefulness helps move the plot toward its tense confrontations.

A mob-connected figure who uses power and manipulation to control the town’s underworld. Hugo relies on a hearing aid and a network of toughs to enforce his interests. He is calculating, dangerous, and unafraid of violence to protect his interests.

A sophisticated, calculating social figure who participates in schemes to extort more money from Hugo. She uses charm and wit to influence others, blurring moral lines in pursuit of gain. Her presence heightens the film’s sense of manipulation and power plays.

An FBI agent who tries to steer the situation toward a safer resolution. He exerts pressure on Gagin and acts as the official counterbalance to the mob’s schemes. Retz is authoritative, cautious, and perpetually calculating the costs of capture versus escape.

Frank Hugo’s secretary who is part of the mob’s circle. He represents the administrative side of criminal operations and helps move information and plans along the chain. His role is supportive of Hugo’s schemes, contributing to the plot’s momentum.

A figure associated with Hugo’s operations who confronts Gagin as the pursuit intensifies. Locke’s presence underscores the reach of the mob’s influence and the danger surrounding the main players. He embodies the menace that closes in on the main characters.

One of Hugo’s rough associates who physically confronts Gagin during the film’s tense sequences. He represents the immediate threat of violence that drives the plot toward its confrontations. His actions escalate the danger surrounding the scheme.