Late 20s. South Indian (Malayali). Malayalam-speaking actors are strongly preferred for authenticity. Jerry is an international student navigating the harsh realities of immigration in Canada. Once hopeful and determined, he is now emotionally exhausted, financially strained, and as a result, he internalizes his pain rather than expressing it outwardly. He carries the weight of expectations from back home, while struggling with a deep sense of failure.

Late 20s. South Indian (Malayali). Malayalam-speaking actors are strongly preferred for authenticity. Arjun is Jerry’s close friend and housemate who has successfully secured permanent residency. Confident and social, he represents someone who "made it”, but beneath that he understands the system's flaws and the role of luck in his success. Empathetic but practical, he carries a subtle sense of survivor's guilt.

South Asian. Fluent in English. Daniel is a composed and professional immigration lawyer. He operates within the system and understands its limitations, but remains emotionally detached from clients' struggles. To him, it’s business efficient, structured, and transactional. Polished and professional.

White. Early 20s. Noah is a Canadian-born individual who has never experienced immigration struggles. Curious and naiive, he often asks questions that highlight his lack of exposure to the system.

Black Any gender. 20s. Elissa is lively, outgoing, and the social glue of the group. Carefree, and slightly oblivious to emotional undercurrents.

South Asian. 20s. English speaking. Mumta is grounded and realistic. She has seen the struggles of immigration closely and speaks with quiet authority. Honest, composed and emotionally aware.

VOICE OVER. South Asian (Malayali). Must speak Malayalam A caring and emotionally strong mother calling her son from back home. She provides comfort, perspective, and emotional grounding for Jerry during his lowest moment.

Richard Carter - Male / 45 Ethan’s father and the billionaire CEO of Carter Capital Group. Convinced that suffering will “discipline” Ethan, he is not truly religious, but uses religion as an excuse to justify years of abuse. He blatantly favors his adopted son, Lucas. His pride and blind faith in Lucas lead directly to Ethan’s death. Only after Ethan is gone does Richard learn the truth and begin to regret what he has done. Appearance: Around 45. A middle-aged man. Taller and more physically imposing than Ethan, with a strong, authoritative presence that feels intimidating and fear-inducing. A wealthy man who is used to being in control. Personality: Harsh, controlling, arrogant, emotionally cold, and self-righteous. Later broken by guilt and regret.

**PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT UNDER LEGALLY 18YRS OLD. Lucas Carter - Male / 18 to early 20s Richard’s adopted son. Raised in luxury by the Carter family, Lucas sees Ethan as a threat and manipulates the family to secure his place as heir. He frames Ethan, covers up his illness, and hides the truth about his death. He is the undisputed villain of the family. Appearance: Around the same age as Ethan. Slim, but healthy-looking. Should look well cared for and clearly come from wealth, with expensive clothes and a polished appearance. Needs to come across as sharper and meaner than Ethan, without Ethan’s soft or gentle look. Personality: Manipulative, jealous, calculating, cruel, performative, and deeply insecure underneath.

Margaret Carter - Female / 40s Ethan’s mother. She has doubts about Richard’s twisted way of raising Ethan and is often the first to sense that something is wrong, but she is never strong enough to stand against Richard. Because she keeps trusting Richard and Lucas over Ethan, she repeatedly fails to protect Ethan. Her silence and disbelief ultimately help lead Ethan to his death. Appearance: A middle-aged woman. Polished, wealthy, and refined. Should look like a high-status woman. Personality: Weak-willed and easily influenced.

**PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT UNDER LEGALLY 18YRS OLD. Nancy Foster - Female / 18 to early 20s. She has feelings for Ethan and deeply sympathizes with the abuse he suffers at the hands of his cruel family. In the end, she is the one who reveals the truth to Ethan’s parents. She must look kind and gentle. Around Ethan’s age, and should not look too mature. Big eyes are preferred. She needs to be able to express sympathy and determination without seeming harsh or aggressive. A cold expression is acceptable, since she has later scenes confronting Ethan’s parents.

Dr. Miller - Female / 30-35. A female doctor in charge of Ethan’s medical care. Female. 30-35. Professional, upright, and with a strong sense of justice.

Sam - Male / 30. Street thug and hired muscle. Dangerous, intimidating, and clearly villainous. Sam must look stronger than Ethan, with visible facial scars (makeup).

Mia (8-11) A kind and lively little girl who is fond of Joe and longs for a father figure.

He has no bottom line—only survival—and is driven purely by profit. Joe’s former coach and an accomplice in framing him years ago, he launders money for Scott, arranges underground fights, and even kidnaps Bella and her daughter, with the blood of many fighters on his hands. He seeks to control Joe, but when Scott is finally arrested, he is the first to step forward as a cooperating witness.

Scott’s lackey and a spoiled heir of the Martin Group—arrogant, despicable, and a bully who preys on the weak. He has committed every kind of wrongdoing.

The ultimate antagonist and the mastermind behind Joe’s downfall. Ruthless and defiant, he is a man of few words but extreme brutality. He became the new boxing champion by defeating Joe through conspiracy, not true skill. His confidence comes not from real fighting ability, but from his status as the son of powerful capital. Driven by an intense need for control and a violent nature, he craves honor as a way to satisfy his deep narcissism. **Boxing Exp. a plus

Mia’s biological father—a compulsive gambler and a despicable man. To repay his debts, he sells his ex-wife Bella to Martin and even kidnaps his own daughter.

A person who smokes a cigarette recently dropped on the ground.