Brad (played by Mark Wahlberg) is a protagonist in Balls Up.
Co-protagonist and salesman who clashes with inventor Elijah. They pitch a balls condom in Brazil, causing chaos at the World Cup final when Brad accidentally blocks a goal with his head. After being arrested, they pitch the product to a drug cartel, survive the jungle, and eventually reconcile with Elijah to achieve business success in Argentina. Elijah (played by Paul Walter Hauser) appears in Balls Up.
Co-protagonist and product inventor who initially despises Brad. They travel to Brazil for a World Cup pitch, where Elijah invades the pitch and fights a mascot. After jail and a dangerous jungle escape involving a drug cartel, he learns to respect Brazilian culture, reconciles with Brad, and achieves business success in Argentina. Pavio Curto (played by Sacha Baron Cohen) appears in Balls Up.
Eccentric leader of a Brazilian drug cartel who detains Brad and Elijah. He approves their condom pitch, seeing its potential to increase drug mules' transport capacity. After they swallow condoms as proof, a rival cartel attacks the compound, resulting in Pavio's death and the men's subsequent escape into the jungle. Santos (played by Benjamin Bratt) appears in Balls Up.
A sober Brazilian executive impressed by the condom pitch initially. Pressured by Brad to drink, he loses control and commits a public nudity scandal, losing his job and causing the product to be rejected. Later, he briefly rescues Brad and Elijah from a hostile mob in Brazil. Cristos (played by Luciano Szafir) appears in Balls Up.
The Brazilian Defence Minister who initially grants Brad and Elijah early release from jail. Later, after intercepting their boat, he leaves them to die at a waterfall as punishment for their continued disrespect of Brazilian football culture and the World Cup incident. Antonia / Isadora (played by Daniela Melchior) appears in Balls Up.
Initially appointed as an inexperienced public counsel to represent the arrested protagonists, but is rejected by them. Later revealed to be an Argentinian spy who orchestrated a rescue, leading military forces to save them. Brad and Elijah are hailed as heroes in Argentina for their World Cup actions.
Balls Up (2026) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Brad
(played by Mark Wahlberg) — protagonist
Co-protagonist and salesman who clashes with inventor Elijah. They pitch a balls condom in Brazil, causing chaos at the World Cup final when Brad accidentally blocks a goal with his head. After being...
Elijah
(played by Paul Walter Hauser) — supporting
Co-protagonist and product inventor who initially despises Brad. They travel to Brazil for a World Cup pitch, where Elijah invades the pitch and fights a mascot. After jail and a dangerous jungle esca...
Pavio Curto
(played by Sacha Baron Cohen) — supporting
Eccentric leader of a Brazilian drug cartel who detains Brad and Elijah. He approves their condom pitch, seeing its potential to increase drug mules' transport capacity. After they swallow condoms as...
Santos
(played by Benjamin Bratt) — supporting
A sober Brazilian executive impressed by the condom pitch initially. Pressured by Brad to drink, he loses control and commits a public nudity scandal, losing his job and causing the product to be reje...
Cristos
(played by Luciano Szafir) — supporting
The Brazilian Defence Minister who initially grants Brad and Elijah early release from jail. Later, after intercepting their boat, he leaves them to die at a waterfall as punishment for their continue...
Antonia / Isadora
(played by Daniela Melchior) — supporting
Initially appointed as an inexperienced public counsel to represent the arrested protagonists, but is rejected by them. Later revealed to be an Argentinian spy who orchestrated a rescue, leading milit...
Canonical Relationships
Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.
Antonia is appointed public counsel for Brad and Elijah, but they reject her because of her inexperience.
Pavio Curto → Elijah
(Professional Business Patron)
Pavio Curto sees that the larger condom could increase drug-mule transport capacity and approves a business partnership after testing it.
Pavio Curto → Brad
(Power Captive And Captor)
Pavio Curto detains Brad and Elijah in his cartel compound and plans to hold them indefinitely.
Cristos → Brad
(Power Political Custodian)
Cristos, the Brazilian Defence Minister, allows Brad and Elijah to leave jail without conviction after speaking with them.
Elijah → Santos
(Professional Product Presenter)
Elijah joins Brad in presenting The Testicle Sentinel to Santos, who initially responds positively to the invention.
Brad → Santos
(Professional Salesman And Client)
Brad and Elijah pitch the product to Santos, who is impressed and helps advance their World Cup sponsorship opportunity.
Brad → Elijah
(Professional Rival)
Brad is the salesman and Elijah is the inventor of The Testicle Sentinel. They are assigned to pitch the product together despite not respecting one a...
Story Dynamics
Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.
Antonia later reveals that she is an Argentinian spy and that the forces attacking the cartel compound were attempting to rescue Brad and Elijah.
Cristos → Elijah
(Conflict Punitive Authority)
Cristos later intercepts their boat and leaves Brad and Elijah to die at a waterfall because of their continued disrespect for Brazilian football cult...
Story Analysis
Two mismatched businessmen turn a disastrous World Cup adventure into survival, reconciliation, and commercial success.
Plot Progression
A Product Nobody Asked For
The Infamous World Cup
Captives With A Business Plan
Jungle Misadventures
From Punishment To Partnership
Directed by Peter Farrelly
Balls Up (2026) · 5.8/10 · action, comedy, adventure
