Special Effects

An aspiring actress from Dallas who has run away with her toddler; her disappearance and murder become a central narrative device. Her life is turned into material for Neville's film project, raising questions about exploitation and objectification. Her presence haunts the film as a real tragedy that critics would debate.

Andrea's husband, a grieving father who becomes entangled in Neville's production. He is both suspect and participant, ultimately cast as himself in the film. His choices drive the conflict between art and family loyalty.

A disgruntled filmmaker who returns to New York after budget disputes and uses Andrea's life as raw material for a movie. His obsession blurs ethical lines, leading him to violence and murder as he assembles his cast and crew. He meets his end during a confrontation with Keefe.

The police detective who follows the case and ultimately confronts Neville's manipulation. He serves as the final authority that threatens to arrest Keefe and exposes the director's dangerous scheme. His investigation threads the tension between crime and media fabrication.

A Salvation Army worker who physically resembles Andrea and is cast to stand in for her in Neville's film. She becomes entangled with Keefe and Neville, joining a dangerous mix of imitation and desire. Her choices propel the story toward its violent climax.

A sharp-tongued film lab assistant who becomes the target of Neville's rage and is murdered in cold blood. His death underscores the film's brutal critique of on-set violence and the commodification of the creative process.

A film lab worker drawn into Neville's merciless production. He meets a fatal end as public violence bleeds into private life. His death marks the escalating danger of mixing reality with a director's fantasy.

A detective who notices the suspicious patterns in the director's house and the blackout that disrupts the murder reconstruction. He shadows the case as the danger builds around Neville and Keefe. His role heightens the police presence in a story about films and crime.

The director's assistant who helps coordinate the chaotic shoot and navigate the project through a web of deceit. Their role shows how the production mindset can eclipse ethical concerns in a quest for the perfect scene.

Andrea's NYC roommate who witnesses the turmoil around Andrea's disappearance and the film's production. Their presence on the periphery highlights the personal cost of celebrity culture and artistic ambition.

A member of the on-set crew who helps prepare actors for shoots, illustrating the everyday services that sustain the film industry. Their brief presence underscores the scale of production behind a dramatic murder story.

A behind-the-scenes figure who represents the financial side of Neville's project, embodying the industry pressures that frame the film's violence and spectacle. Their role hints at budgetary influence over creative decisions.

A minor character who ferries characters around the city, a reminder of the urban setting where the story unfolds and the film's constant motion between locations.

An uncredited journalist who appears in the media framing of Andrea's story, representing the press's role in shaping sensational narratives around crime and art.