Sunshine

Nineteen-year-old gymnast with Olympic dreams who discovers she is pregnant. She wrestles between continuing her rigorous training and starting a family, showing fierce determination yet moments of vulnerability. Her choices ignite conflict with teammates, her boyfriend, and family as she navigates a perilous path.

Sunshine’s older sister and former gymnast who became a single mother to Gracie. She acts as a stabilizing, protective presence, urging Sunshine to rest while honoring her autonomy. Geleen embodies resilience and care within a strained family dynamic.

Sunshine’s younger brother; part of the family’s everyday life and a reminder of the ordinary world beyond gymnastics. His presence reflects how a crisis ripples through siblings and the wider household, grounding the drama in familial bonds.

Sunshine’s friend who accompanies her through the highs and lows of adolescence and sport. She shares in the hopes and uncertainties of coming-of-age under pressure, representing youth solidarity and honest emotion.

Sunshine’s boyfriend who dismisses the pregnancy and urges abortion, presenting a counterpoint to Sunshine’s feelings and choices. His indifference intensifies Sunshine’s isolation and resolve.

Compassionate obstetrician who discreetly assists Mary Grace, illustrating the tension between medical ethics and legal risk in a restrictive environment. She becomes a quiet ally within a system that stigmatizes abortion.

Sunshine’s gymnastics coach who notices weight gain and pressures her about the team. Eden embodies the demanding culture of elite sport and the tension between achievement and personal health.

Infant daughter of Geleen; a symbol of motherhood’s consequences and responsibilities that shadow Sunshine’s choices. Gracie deepens family bonds and emotional stakes.

A 13-year-old girl who becomes pregnant and seeks an abortion, representing the vulnerability of young girls in precarious circumstances. Her story intersects with Sunshine’s, highlighting shared desperation, care, and loss.

An unnamed figure who chastises Sunshine about consequences and later accompanies her in seeking abortion, acting as a catalyst for Sunshine’s decisions and exposing street-level risks.

Miggy’s father, a pastor who offers an alternative form of help and embodies the church’s reach into personal lives. His presence adds religious pressure and conflict to Sunshine’s journey.