Luke Shapiro (played by Josh Peck) is a protagonist in The Wackness.
Luke Shapiro is a New York high-school graduate who sells marijuana while struggling with his family's financial crisis and eviction. He trades drugs for therapy with Dr. Squires, falls in love with Stephanie, and later helps Dr. Squires through a suicidal crisis. By the end, Luke decides to become a psychiatrist. Stephanie (played by Olivia Thirlby) appears in The Wackness.
Stephanie is Luke Shapiro's classmate and Dr. Squires' stepdaughter. She spends the summer with Luke, joins him while he deals marijuana, kisses him, and later invites him to Fire Island, where they have sex. Luke falls in love, but Stephanie does not want a committed relationship and later dates Justin, leaving both of them regretful. Eleanor (played by Jane Adams) appears in The Wackness.
Eleanor is Luke Shapiro's marijuana client. Luke introduces her to Dr. Squires while seeking help with selling marijuana, and she and Dr. Squires immediately connect. After Dr. Squires' wife leaves him, Eleanor contacts him and they make plans to meet, suggesting a possible new relationship as the story concludes. Justin (played by Aaron Yoo) appears in The Wackness.
Justin is Luke Shapiro's classmate and appears to be part of the summer social circle that has left the city. He later contacts Stephanie to ask whether she wants to spend time together, and Luke eventually finds Stephanie on a date with him. This makes Justin a direct catalyst for Luke's heartbreak and final separation from Stephanie.
The Wackness (2008) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Luke Shapiro
(played by Josh Peck) — protagonist
Luke Shapiro is a New York high-school graduate who sells marijuana while struggling with his family's financial crisis and eviction. He trades drugs for therapy with Dr. Squires, falls in love with S...
Stephanie
(played by Olivia Thirlby) — supporting
Stephanie is Luke Shapiro's classmate and Dr. Squires' stepdaughter. She spends the summer with Luke, joins him while he deals marijuana, kisses him, and later invites him to Fire Island, where they h...
Eleanor
(played by Jane Adams) — supporting
Eleanor is Luke Shapiro's marijuana client. Luke introduces her to Dr. Squires while seeking help with selling marijuana, and she and Dr. Squires immediately connect. After Dr. Squires' wife leaves hi...
Justin
(played by Aaron Yoo) — minor
Justin is Luke Shapiro's classmate and appears to be part of the summer social circle that has left the city. He later contacts Stephanie to ask whether she wants to spend time together, and Luke even...
Canonical Relationships
Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.
Luke Shapiro → Eleanor
(Professional Drug Supplier)
Luke introduces the psychiatrist to Eleanor, identified in the plot as his client, while seeking help selling marijuana for college money.
Justin → Stephanie
(Romantic Dating Interest)
Justin contacts Stephanie and later Luke finds Stephanie on a date with Justin.
Luke Shapiro → Stephanie
(Romantic Interest)
Luke and Stephanie kiss after spending the day together. Luke later tells her that he loves her after they have sex.
Story Dynamics
Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.
Eleanor → Justin
(Unknown Indirect Social Connection)
The plot places Eleanor within Luke's client network, while Justin is part of Luke's overlapping social world; no direct interaction between Eleanor a...
Luke Shapiro → Justin
(Social Classmate)
Justin and Luke are members of the same graduating class, and Luke learns that Justin has left for the summer.
Story Analysis
A lonely teenager turns summer heartbreak, family instability, and dangerous adult influence into emotional maturity and a desire to help others.
Plot Progression
A Lonely Summer Begins
Dangerous New Companions
Fire Island Intimacy
Heartbreak And Crisis
A Difficult Beginning
Directed by Jonathan Levine
The Wackness (2008) · 6.4/10 · comedy, drama, romance
