Vineland

Prairie Wheeler is a teenage protagonist whose world expands beyond the familiar as federal pursuit closes in. She leans on a circle of old friends rather than authorities, showing resilience, curiosity, and a stubborn will to survive. Her journey centers on navigating loyalty, family history, and the pressure of being watched.

Frenesi Gates leads a double life that links a radical 1960s hippie film movement with present-day political intrigue. Her past choices continue to ripple through Prairie’s life, making her both a possible betrayer and a potential source of redemption. Her enigmatic presence fuels the tension between memory and the present conflict.

Brock Vond is a federal prosecutor wielding vast authority and resources, whose pursuit of Prairie and Frenesi embodies an unflinching belief in power. His operations are supported by surveillance and DEA funding, illustrating the modern state's reach. His fall comes as political winds change, leaving his ambitions unfulfilled.

Zoyd Wheeler is Prairie’s father, whose loyalty to family pushes him to resist authorities and rely on a network of old friends. He embodies wary resilience in a climate of suspicion, trying to shield his daughter from danger. His role highlights the tension between past loyalties and present safety.

Isaiah Two Four is Prairie’s boyfriend who accompanies her to a wedding tied to a rough-and-ready Mob faction. He represents loyalty and risk-taking, helping Prairie navigate the dangerous landscape while also being drawn into the story’s larger conflicts. His presence adds a personal stake to the broader power struggle.

DL Chastain is a cunning former confidant who drifts through a social circle aligned with the pursuit and the 24fps network. His presence adds unpredictability and moral ambiguity to the chase. He embodies the roguish, shifting loyalties that permeate the film’s world.

Takeshi Fumimota is Chastain’s partner who navigates the social web that binds the film crew and the broader pursuit. He contributes to the sense of a liminal space where death feels proximate yet not final, reflecting the film’s themes of mortality and memory.

24fps is a radical film collective that aims to document Frenesi’s life and critique authority, acting as a narrative device that makes private life public. The group’s work sits at the intersection of art, rebellion, and media spectacle, driving the meta-narrative of the story.

Hector Zuñiga is a resourceful figure who funds a media-driven pursuit and becomes a pivotal driver of the chase before the political climate shifts. His involvement shows how individual ambitions intersect with larger media projects and state power.