Al Roberts (played by Tom Neal) is a protagonist in Detour.
The protagonist, an unemployed piano player who hitchhikes to California to marry his girlfriend. After taking the identity of a dead bookie, he gets entangled with a blackmailing hitchhiker and accidentally kills her, leaving him trapped in a cycle of crime and paranoia. Vera (played by Ann Savage) is a protagonist in Detour.
A manipulative hitchhiker who blackmails Al after realizing his true identity. She forces him to continue posing as the dead bookie for financial gain and moves in with him in Hollywood, ultimately meeting her accidental death at Al's hands during a heated argument. Sue Harvey (played by Claudia Drake) appears in Detour.
Al's former girlfriend and a nightclub singer who leaves for Hollywood to pursue fame. Her departure motivates Al's cross-country journey, though he eventually abandons his plan to reunite with her following his traumatic experiences. Charles Haskell Jr. (played by Edmund MacDonald) appears in Detour.
A wealthy bookie who picks up Al in Arizona. He dies during a rainstorm while Al is driving, prompting Al to steal his identity, money, and car. His impending inheritance becomes the catalyst for Vera's blackmail scheme. Diner Owner Gus (played by Tim Ryan) appears in Detour.
Hedy (played by Esther Howard) appears in Detour.
Used Car Salesman (played by Don Brodie) appears in Detour.
A local car dealer Al and Vera intend to sell the stolen convertible to in Hollywood. They rent an apartment first to establish an address for the transaction. Cop (played by Roger Clark) appears in Detour.
Law enforcement officers Vera threatens to contact, and whom Al fears will arrest him for the murders and identity theft. They are ultimately responsible for the wanted poster circulating after Vera's death.
Detour (1945) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Al Roberts
(played by Tom Neal) — protagonist
The protagonist, an unemployed piano player who hitchhikes to California to marry his girlfriend. After taking the identity of a dead bookie, he gets entangled with a blackmailing hitchhiker and accid...
Vera
(played by Ann Savage) — protagonist
A manipulative hitchhiker who blackmails Al after realizing his true identity. She forces him to continue posing as the dead bookie for financial gain and moves in with him in Hollywood, ultimately me...
Sue Harvey
(played by Claudia Drake) — supporting
Al's former girlfriend and a nightclub singer who leaves for Hollywood to pursue fame. Her departure motivates Al's cross-country journey, though he eventually abandons his plan to reunite with her fo...
Charles Haskell Jr.
(played by Edmund MacDonald) — supporting
A wealthy bookie who picks up Al in Arizona. He dies during a rainstorm while Al is driving, prompting Al to steal his identity, money, and car. His impending inheritance becomes the catalyst for Vera...
Diner Owner Gus
(played by Tim Ryan) — supporting
Hedy
(played by Esther Howard) — supporting
Used Car Salesman
(played by Don Brodie) — supporting
A local car dealer Al and Vera intend to sell the stolen convertible to in Hollywood. They rent an apartment first to establish an address for the transaction.
Cop
(played by Roger Clark) — supporting
Law enforcement officers Vera threatens to contact, and whom Al fears will arrest him for the murders and identity theft. They are ultimately responsible for the wanted poster circulating after Vera's...
Used Car Mechanic
(played by Eddie Hall) — minor
Key Relationships
Vera → Hedy
(Social Acquaintance)
Al Roberts → Used Car Mechanic
(Professional Client)
Vera → Used Car Salesman
(Alliance Conspirator)
Al Roberts → Diner Owner Gus
(Social Customer)
Al Roberts → Used Car Salesman
(Professional Buyer)
Al Roberts → Cop
(Conflict Fugitive)
Vera → Charles Haskell Jr.
(Professional Previous Passenger)
Al Roberts → Vera
(Conflict Blackmailer And Victim)
Al Roberts → Charles Haskell Jr.
(Professional Driver And Passenger)
Al Roberts → Sue Harvey
(Romantic Ex Lover)
Story Analysis
A tale of fate and bad luck leading to inevitable downfall
