The Lady in Red

A farm girl who endures a harsh Midwest upbringing during the Great Depression. She evolves from a vulnerable witness into a determined survivor who leads workers in revolt, navigates dangerous relationships, and ultimately plans a high-stakes bank heist for personal justice. Her emotional journey blends resilience, affection, and moral ambiguity as she pursues freedom on her own terms.

Polly’s Jewish coworker and roommate who is politically outspoken and deeply loyal. Her arrest and brutal treatment in custody expose the system’s cruelty toward marginalized people. Rose’s fate becomes a driving force for Polly’s actions, representing sacrifice and the cost of dissent.

A Romanian madam who runs a clandestine network and befriends Polly. She leverages Polly’s image to attract clients and uses information to influence larger forces, including local authorities. Her betrayals and shifting loyalties complicate Polly’s path to autonomy.

A sleazy journalist who uses Polly’s story for sensational headlines and then twists the truth to spite her. His actions illustrate how media figures can weaponize personal narratives for fame, often at the expense of those they claim to protect. His involvement catalyzes Polly’s resolve to reclaim power.

A well-dressed gangster who becomes Polly’s romantic interest. Their relationship exposes Polly to glamor and danger alike, and his public downfall intensifies her own sense of loss and urgency. His presence catalyzes Polly’s final act of reclaiming agency through calculated risk.

A cruel prison guard who targets Polly and Rose, embodying the brutal power structure that polices incarcerated bodies. Her arc ends in violent rebellion, reflecting the prisoners’ desperate fight for dignity. Alice’s brutality underscores the cost of resistance within oppressive systems.

A local hoodlum who befriends Polly and helps her navigate the criminal underworld. His loyalty is tested by violence and survival, and his choices contribute to Polly’s ability to eventually escape with the money. He embodies the morally gray alliances that define the film’s world.