Nine-year-old protagonist and narrative focal point. His innocent perspective captures the impact of The Troubles on a working-class Protestant family, navigating childhood friendships, peer pressure, and the looming decision to leave Belfast.
They are brothers whose relationship is shaped by family protection and the Troubles.
The plot identifies Will as Buddy's elder brother, and Will helps protect the family during the riot's climax.
Granny is a close elder in Buddy's household and a symbolic supporter of his future.
Granny is identified as Buddy's paternal grandmother and lives with the family. She watches the family leave Belfast at the end.
Pop is Buddy's beloved grandfather whose decline marks the family's transition.
Pop is identified as Buddy's paternal grandfather and household elder. His death before the departure deeply affects the family.
Their family bond is mixed with peer influence and shared childhood mischief.
The plot explicitly identifies Moira as Buddy's cousin and describes their attempted chocolate theft together.
Catherine is Buddy's school friend and an important emotional connection across sectarian division.
Buddy develops feelings for Catherine, a high-achieving classmate, and they eventually become friends.
Billy becomes a direct physical and psychological threat to Buddy.
Billy takes Buddy and his mother hostage as leverage during his attempted escape and threatens retribution after being arrested.
The Minister's rhetoric becomes a moral framework that shapes Buddy's thoughts.
The Minister delivers a harsh fork-in-the-road speech in church, which Buddy repeatedly reflects upon throughout the film.
Explore the full interactive character relationship map of Belfast