Snowtown

A charismatic but brutal vigilante who imposes his own rigid morality on others. He despises pedophiles and homosexuals, using intimidation to drive out his enemies. He forms a small team and orchestrates murders, presenting himself as a righteous enforcer. His authority hinges on fear and coercion, shaping the town’s brutal course of violence.

A 16-year-old boy living with his distressed mother, Jamie is vulnerable and impressionable. He becomes drawn into John’s world, seeking protection and belonging. Under John’s influence, Jamie becomes desensitized to violence and participates in brutal acts. This dynamic shows how coercive power can distort a young person’s sense of right and wrong.

Barry is a gay cross-dressing man who introduces Elizabeth to John Bunting. His presence marks the early pattern of intimidation surrounding the central figure. Barry disappears after being targeted by John and his circle, leaving behind only an answering machine message. His arc highlights the dangers faced by those who cross or threaten the group’s rules.

Troy is Jamie's half-brother who rapes Jamie, embodying the abuse that drives the film’s violence. He is tortured by John and Robert, and dies at Jamie’s mercy in a pivotal moment. His brutality and treatment by the brothers fuel the escalation of the group’s deadly acts. He represents the cycle of violence that the film exposes.

Gavin is Jamie's drug-addicted best friend. He is pulled into John’s orbit and becomes a victim as the group’s brutality intensifies. His body is among those shown to Jamie in the shed, symbolizing the personal toll of the murders. Gavin’s fate underscores the collateral damage of the cult’s rule.

Robert is John’s loyal ally and a key participant in the murders. He tortures Troy, helps bury bodies, and supports the group’s escalating violence. His steadfast loyalty sustains John’s regime of terror and demonstrates how complicity cements a murderous project. He embodies the dangers of unchecked groupthink.

Elizabeth is Jamie’s distressed mother, pressured by her situation and the men circling around her son. She is drawn into John’s circle through Barry, but her attempts to protect Jamie collide with the group’s threatening dynamic. Her vulnerability and limited agency illustrate the impact of violence on families. She embodies the struggle to seek help in a perilous environment.

Dave is Jamie’s step-brother who is lured to Snowtown and becomes involved in the group’s killings. He watches the events unfold and is drawn into the danger around him. Dave is among the victims later referenced in the film’s closing captions, signaling the indiscriminate reach of the violence.