Sunburn

A restless young Irish man who travels to America amid a looming abortion and a fragile family situation. He is resourceful and bold, often acting on impulse, while trying to shield his private crisis from home. His summer abroad reveals his capacity for growth, even as he negotiates risky alliances with Billy and Aideen and wrestles with the consequences of leaving Ireland.

A high-strung, pragmatic youth who imagines a future in well-paying fishing work. He forms a close but complicated bond with Carolyn and becomes entangled in the social dynamics of the group, facing heartbreak when his relationship with Carolyn falters. His loyalty to Davin and willingness to help drive the summer’s events forward.

Aideen works as a dispatcher for a cab company and becomes a focal point between Davin, Billy, and Veronica. She is witty and perceptive, keeping Davin’s secret while navigating jealousy and attraction. Her summer decisions—whether to stay or leave—shape the group’s evolving dynamics and test her own commitments.

An adult woman who anchors the group with hospitality and social gatherings, growing closer to Robert. Her home becomes a stage for shifting loyalties, and the party at her house tests boundaries and leads to heartbreak when relationships fray. She remains a steady presence amid the summer’s volatility.

The mother of Davin’s child, she communicates from Ireland about Davin’s obligations and future plans. Her presence grounds Davin’s decisions in family responsibility and the real consequences back home, highlighting the pull between obligation and the allure of escape.

Davin’s younger brother who highlights the pull of home and the weight of familial expectation. He asks Davin for his Adidas Predators, symbolizing the small, personal ties that anchor Davin as he contemplates leaving. His presence underscores the film’s theme of obligation to family.

A shrewd immigration facilitator who claims to know a way around the system. He introduces Davin to New York friends and uses the promise of opportunity to propel Davin’s plans. His underhanded ties illuminate the tension between urgent dreams and the risks of shortcuts in pursuit of a better life.