Character Relationship Map: The Cost

Characters

• David (played by Jordan Fraser-Trumble) — protagonist

  David is one of the two men who abduct Troy and take him to a remote property. He says he is Stephanie's husband and seeks revenge for her rape and murder, but Troy's pleas make him question whether h...

• Aaron (played by Damon Hunter) — protagonist

  Aaron is David's accomplice in kidnapping Troy and bringing him to an isolated bush property. He says he is Stephanie's brother and insists that their revenge plan must continue, even as David hesitat...

• Troy (played by Kevin Dee) — supporting

  Troy is the man David and Aaron kidnap and hold captive in the bush. They accuse him of raping and murdering Stephanie twelve years earlier and subject him to a violent interrogation before planning t...

• Brian (played by Clayton Watson) — supporting

  Brian lives on a neighbouring property and unexpectedly visits David and Aaron while they are holding Troy. Unaware at first of what they are doing, he spends the afternoon with them, giving Troy time...

• Stephanie (played by Nicole Pastor) — supporting

  Stephanie is the young woman whom David and Aaron say Troy raped and murdered twelve years before the events of the film. David identifies himself as her husband, and Aaron as her brother. Her death a...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• David → Aaron (Family Brother-in-law) — Their shared connection to Stephanie binds them together in the revenge plan.

  David identifies himself as Stephanie's husband while Aaron identifies himself as her brother, establishing a family connection through Stephanie.

• Aaron → Stephanie (Family Brother) — Aaron's family connection motivates his commitment to punishing Troy.

  Aaron tells Troy that he is Stephanie's brother and is seeking revenge for her death.

• David → Stephanie (Family Husband) — David's personal connection to Stephanie drives his desire for revenge.

  David tells Troy that he is Stephanie's husband and holds him responsible for her rape and murder.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Brian → Troy (Alliance Unwitting Rescuer) — Brian's property becomes Troy's route to exposure and possible safety.

  Troy escapes into the bush and reaches Brian's home, where Brian becomes alerted to the situation.

• Aaron → Brian (Social Temporary Acquaintance) — Aaron uses the temporary social encounter to conceal the kidnapping.

  Brian arrives at the property and befriends Aaron and David for the afternoon.

• David → Brian (Social Temporary Acquaintance) — Brian's unexpected companionship delays the planned killing and changes the situation.

  Brian arrives from a neighboring property and spends the afternoon befriending David and Aaron.

• Troy → Stephanie (Conflict Perpetrator And Victim) — Troy's alleged crime against Stephanie is the foundation of the revenge plot.

  David and Aaron tell Troy that he raped and murdered Stephanie twelve years earlier.

• Aaron → Troy (Conflict Captor And Victim) — Aaron remains committed to killing Troy throughout the central conflict.

  Aaron helps abduct Troy, beat him during the interrogation, and later leads him toward a shallow grave before attempting to shoot him.

• David → Troy (Conflict Captor And Victim) — David initially participates in Troy's captivity and torture.

  David helps ambush Troy, kidnap him at gunpoint, drug him with ketamine, tie him to a tree, and interrogate him.

Story Analysis

A revenge kidnapping forces two relatives to confront the moral and personal consequences of executing Troy for Stephanie's death.

Plot Progression

1. A Weekend of Deception — David, Aaron, and Troy prepare for the weekend while concealing their real intentions. David and Aaron coordinate a false fishing story and set an ambush at Troy's home.
2. The Road to Revenge — David and Aaron kidnap Troy, drug him, and hide him in their vehicle. Encounters at a service station and on the highway increase the danger of being discovered.
3. Punishment in the Bush — At a remote property, David and Aaron reveal their connection to Stephanie and begin torturing Troy. Troy's pleas gradually create doubt in David while Aaron remains determined.
4. An Unexpected Witness — Brian's arrival forces the kidnappers to hide Troy in the bush. While Brian unknowingly distracts them, Troy wakes and escapes.
5. The Cost of Revenge — David rejects the killing, but Aaron continues toward execution. Troy escapes from the shallow grave and reaches Brian's home, leaving the remaining characters facing an irreversible choice.