Targets

An aged, embittered horror movie star who considers himself outdated and fears audiences are no longer frightened by his old-fashioned scares. He resists the erosion of his fame but agrees to one last in-person promotional appearance at the drive-in, drawn by a sense of duty and nostalgia. His conflict centers on whether genuine fear still lives in cinema or if the era has moved on without him.

A young, quiet insurance agent who becomes a violent killer with an obsession for guns. He murders his wife, his mother, and a grocery delivery boy, then continues his spree to the drive-in theater. The character embodies the era's fears about suburban violence and the hidden dangers within ordinary lives.

Bobby's wife, living in a suburban home with his family. She represents the domestic front of the Thompson household and becomes a victim of Bobby's escalating violence. Her presence underscores the fragile veneer of suburban peace that the film unsettles.

Orlok's secretary at the drive-in who is caught in the chaos of the night and is wounded by Thompson. She embodies the civilian bystander pulled into the violence surrounding the star's final appearance. Her role highlights the harm that spills from the screen into everyday life.

A young director who persuades Orlok to make a final promotional appearance. His ambition and faith in film as a force of art drive the plot and reflect a new generation challenging the old guard. He acts as a bridge between cinema's myth and the viewers' reality.

The theater's projectionist who is killed early in the sequence. He represents the silent, unseen workers who enable the cinematic experience and become casualties when the line between screen and street violence blurs.

The drive-in’s operator, navigating the business side of evening entertainment while the night spirals into danger. His role anchors the venue in the community and provides a practical counterpoint to the film's more surreal elements.

A minor drive-in staff character who contributes to the everyday life around the theater. Her presence helps flesh out the backdrop of the venue as the events unfold.

The manager overseeing drive-in operations on a busy night, responsible for keeping the show going. He represents the organized, rule-bound world of mid-century suburban entertainment.

Bobby Thompson's father, a working man who leaves for work early in the day. He is part of the family dynamic that frames Bobby's domestic life and the contrast with his later violence.