Terror in the Family

A 15-year-old who has become a rebellious force within the family. Deena manipulates situations to avoid responsibility, engages in risky relationships, and reacts with violence when pressured. Her volatile behavior exposes the cracks in her parents’ authority and highlights the toll of a dysfunctional home on a teenager seeking control. She oscillates between seeking connection and pushing others away, culminating in a police arrest and probation.

Deena's aunt who steps in during moments of family crisis. Judith provides a more grounded perspective and acts as a counterbalance to the parents' dysfunction. She communicates the family history and offers guidance while struggling with her own relation to the cycle of alcohol and conflict. Judith embodies the possibility of mediation and accountability within a fractured family.

The distant father who prefers his woodworking to parenting. Todd attempts to impose structure with lists and curfews, yet his efforts often come across as ineffective. His journey includes recognizing his own limitations and seeking therapy for the family, illustrating a reluctant but hopeful move toward responsibility and connection.

Deena's older brother who becomes a proxy for his father by managing the family’s stresses in his own way. He forges notes for school and becomes involved in the household’s coping mechanisms, including his own drinking. Adam's complicity and later exposure to family tensions highlight how children absorb parental struggles.

Deena's mother, whose alcoholism and emotional distance contribute to the family’s instability. Cynthia alternates between seeking closeness and retreating into self-destructive behavior, often undermining Todd’s attempts at discipline. Her relationship with Deena is fraught; she fears losing her daughter while also grappling with her own dependency and regrets.

Deena's boyfriend whose own family turmoil and volatile consequences influence the relationship. Their plan to run away together illustrates a desperate bid for escape from a dysfunctional home. Garret's confrontations with his own mother and his reaction to Deena's changing circumstances drive key turning points in the story.

The elder matriarch whose presence anchors the family history. Her experiences with alcohol and harsh parenting echo through the generations, shaping the characters’ responses to conflict. Ivy’s legacy underscores the film’s exploration of cycles of behavior and the possibility of breaking free from them.