The Being

Marge Smith is a devoted mother and town resident who is driven by the disappearance of her son. She embodies maternal resilience amid fear and uncertainty, pushing to uncover the truth even when local authorities hesitate. Her determination helps propel the investigation and frames the emotional stakes of the town’s ordeal.

Garson Jones is a chemical safety engineer hired to investigate the disappearances and potential hazards. He is methodical and knowledgeable, yet his secretive nature and the town’s fear suggest deeper stakes. He faces danger when attacked by the mutated creature, testing his resolve to uncover the truth. He collaborates with the detective to confront the threat.

Mayor Gordon Lane is the town’s leader who fears publicity could harm the potato economy, so information is managed carefully. He weighs actions against public opinion, revealing a conflict between economic concerns and public safety. His decisions create tension with investigators and reveal the town’s fragility under threat.

Detective Mortimer Lutz is a determined investigator who suspects there is more to the disappearances than meets the eye. He challenges Jones, confronts the creature, and uses unorthodox methods to fight it. He demonstrates resourcefulness, courage, and a willingness to risk himself to protect others.

Laurie is Lutz’s waitress girlfriend who becomes a direct witness to the attacks. She displays resilience and practicality in the danger, contributing to the couple’s attempt to reach the authorities. Her relationship with Lutz humanizes the crisis and adds emotional stakes.

The creature is a radioactive mutant with above-average intellect but psychotic tendencies. It is intelligent, cunning, and violently predatory, yet remains sensitive to light. The slime it leaves at each scene marks its presence and links the killings. Its terror drives the town’s desperation and the investigators’ resolve.

Joe the Lab Assistant accompanies Garson Jones, assisting with experiments and observations. He represents the scientific community’s involvement and the undercurrent of suspicion among investigators. He faces danger as the creature closes in and the truth becomes more perilous to uncover.

One of the patrons at a drive-in theater becomes a brutal victim, underscoring the creature’s reach and the town’s sense of vulnerability. The incident leaves behind a green slime trace, confirming the monster’s involvement and escalating fear.