The Majorettes

A pregnant teenager and one of the first victims, Nicole’s murder sets off the investigation and exposes the vulnerabilities of young women in the community. Her death anchors the sense that innocence is at risk from hidden predation. She serves as a catalyst for the town’s moral panic and the pursuit of truth.

A detective entangled in an extramarital affair with Marie Morgan, Roland navigates professional duty and personal desire. He pieces together clues about water-related murders and the town’s secrets. His investigation reveals the complexity of loyalties in a small town.

A teen friend of Nicole who becomes linked to the detective through a relationship subplot. Marie embodies the vulnerable social circle around the majorette squad and faces danger as the killings continue. Her ties to Roland complicate the investigation and heighten the emotional stakes.

Rich but infirm grandmother's ward, Vicky is the central target of the will-based plot. Her kidnapping by biker gang and the family fortune scheme drive much of the suspense. Her resilience and peril reflect the larger theme of protecting youth from predation and greed.

Housekeeper who manipulates the grandmother and helps orchestrate the murder plot to secure the fortune. She and her son operate in the shadows, keeping dangerous secrets from the town. Helga’s scheme reveals the dark underbelly of seemingly respectable households.

The local lawman who is revealed to be the killer, a religious fanatic targeting the majorettes to maintain purity. He uses his position to evade suspicion and to frame others posthumously. His arc exposes institutional corruption and the peril of moral absolutism.

Barbara is a fellow majorette whose murder in a swimming pool shocks the squad. Her death reinforces the danger facing young performers and the vulnerability of the group. She represents the perils faced by talented teens in the film’s town.

A male acquaintance who falls victim early in the killing spree, emphasizing the indiscriminate nature of the killer. His death marks the start of a chain of investigations and heightens the threat to other youths. He serves as a catalyst for the sheriff’s escalating actions.

Household pervert who spies on teen majorettes and is connected to the Grandmother’s world. He becomes a victim of the sheriff’s dealings and illustrates the film’s themes of surveillance and hypocrisy. His character helps to reveal the victims’ vulnerability.