WiseGirls

A Missouri transplant who arrives on Staten Island to restart her life after leaving medical school. She proves to be cool under pressure, saving a patron during a life-threatening gunshot incident at the restaurant. As she builds a life with her friends, she confronts violence and betrayal while pursuing independence and a steadier future.

An undercover police officer who befriends Meg and provides a steady, protective presence. She harbors Broadway ambitions, adding a personal dream to the orbit of danger around Meg. Kate keeps Meg’s confession and uses it to pursue justice, risking her own safety in the process.

Bold and outspoken, Raychel is Meg’s loyal friend who becomes a manager and anchor in their nightly world. She embodies risk-taking loyalty and the drive to improve her own life while supporting the others. In the climax, she shoots Mr. Santalino to protect Meg and faces arrest for her actions.

The charismatic yet volatile owner of the restaurant, whose temper and charm draw Meg into his orbit. His relationship with the restaurant’s inner circle reveals a danger that threatens everyone around him. Gio is murdered during the mob-linked chaos that erupts in the story.

A mob-connected restaurant patriarch whose generosity masks coercive power and a willingness to eliminate threats. He exerts control through intimidation, and his violent resolve becomes a driving force in the escalation of events. His confrontation with Meg and the others culminates in a deadly showdown.

Mr. Santalino’s hot-headed son who pressures Meg and participates in a violent plan to cover up a murder. He embodies reckless aggression and the perils of being drawn into a family-driven crime economy. His actions contribute to the film’s violent climax and his own downfall.

Kate’s police partner who becomes a grim figure in the final confrontation. He fires on Meg during the chaotic gunfight, realizing too late that she was trying to save Raychel. His action underscores the tragedy and moral ambiguity surrounding law enforcement in a world of crime.

The restaurant matriarch who gives Meg a chance to work there, acting as the entry point into Gio Esposito’s world. Her generosity is a catalyst for Meg’s new life, though it also ties her to the restaurant’s perilous circle. Mrs. Saladino’s role underscores the theme of opportunity with a price.