The Big Empty

A struggling actor drowning in debt, John accepts a dangerous assignment to deliver a blue suitcase and a gun, hoping it will be his big break. He is wary, resourceful, and increasingly trapped by the consequences of his choices. As the desert and danger close in, his naivety clashes with a harsh world of conspiracies and violence. His journey forces him to confront what he really wants from life.

A volatile gunman who suspects John of stealing his girlfriend and holds him at gunpoint. He uses intimidation to control others and asserts his criminal edge throughout the desert sequence. His plan unravels as the town's enforcers close in, culminating in shootouts and arrest. He embodies the film's threat-driven tension.

A figure connected to Devil's Crest with a troubled past, Ruthie becomes a key link between John and the desert's mysteries. She navigates danger with a wary but resilient spirit and a fragile trust in John. Her presence grounds some of the film's human drama amid surreal events. She is also tied to the town's legends and past rescues by Stella.

A bar patron who spouts strange tales and conspiracy theories about the desert, creating a fog of rumor around Devil's Crest. His stories plant seeds of doubt and blur the line between truth and fiction. He functions as a narrative guide who drives John deeper into the mystery. His tales shape the film's mood more than its actual plot.

John's friend who calls to deliver news about Neely's fate and then becomes a supportive ally. She helps him navigate the danger, offering practical insight and a sense of normality. Her presence contrasts the film's surreal elements with grounded, human warmth. She ultimately helps him reframe his circumstances and pursue a safer path.

A mysterious desert figure who lures John with the promise of Paradise, then reveals a darker, supernatural power as his skin turns blue. He represents the film's core enigma, embodying the desert's pull and the idea that some truths are better left unspoken. His presence drives the climax as the plan to reclaim the money unfolds on Devil's Crest.

An FBI agent investigating Neely's murder and the missing people in Baker, Banks blends authority with oblique skepticism. He withholds complete information, shaping the film's tension and forcing John to improvise answers. His interrogation scene highlights the gulf between official narratives and private truth. The ending hints Banks may be shaping events to fit a story rather than solving it.

A bar owner who reveals she rescued Ruthie as a toddler from Devil's Crest, a fact that ties Ruthie to the desert's legend. She acts as a wary, practical confidante who understands the town's secrets. Stella's role anchors some of the story's backstory and emotional stakes.