The Reverend (played by Guy Pearce) is a protagonist in Brimstone.
The central antagonist. A fanatical, abusive preacher who terrorizes the town. He is revealed to be Joanna's biological father, whom he abuses and attempts to rape. He murders Eli, Elizabeth, and Samuel, and sends deputies to hunt down Liz and her children. His cruelty drives the entire narrative's conflict. Liz (played by Dakota Fanning) is a protagonist in Brimstone.
A mute midwife and the film's protagonist. She flees after her husband Eli is murdered by the Reverend. In the past timeline, she was known as Elizabeth Brundy, a brothel worker who escaped by taking a dead prostitute's place and mutilating herself to avoid capture. She raises her children alone before ultimately drowning herself to evade the sheriff. Anna (played by Carice van Houten) appears in Brimstone.
Joanna's mother and the Reverend's wife. She lives under her husband's strict and cruel religious rule. After discovering his lust for their daughter, she is publicly humiliated with a scold's bridle and subsequently commits suicide to escape the abuse. Samuel (played by Kit Harington) appears in Brimstone.
A wounded survivor of a violent gold dispute who travels with Wolf. He collapses at the Reverend's farm and is secretly aided by Joanna. He attempts to rescue Joanna from her father's planned incestuous wedding, resulting in his murder by the Reverend. Nathan (played by Bill Tangradi) appears in Brimstone.
Sally (played by Vera Vitali) appears in Brimstone.
A prostitute in the mining town of Bismuth who initially protects the young Joanna. She is hanged after shooting a violent customer, after which another prostitute named Elizabeth takes over Joanna's protection. Joanna (played by Emilia Jones) appears in Brimstone.
The central child protagonist. Abused by her fanatical preacher father, she is sold to a brothel where she is protected by prostitutes. She escapes with the mute Elizabeth (Liz) and assumes her identity. Her traumatic past and identity swap drive the film's complex timeline. Frank (played by Paul Anderson) appears in Brimstone.
The owner of a brothel in the mining town of Bismuth. He purchases young Joanna. He is eventually murdered by Elizabeth (who later becomes Liz), an act that sets off the chain of events leading to her escape and identity swap.
Brimstone (2016) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
The Reverend
(played by Guy Pearce) — protagonist
The central antagonist. A fanatical, abusive preacher who terrorizes the town. He is revealed to be Joanna's biological father, whom he abuses and attempts to rape. He murders Eli, Elizabeth, and Samu...
Liz
(played by Dakota Fanning) — protagonist
A mute midwife and the film's protagonist. She flees after her husband Eli is murdered by the Reverend. In the past timeline, she was known as Elizabeth Brundy, a brothel worker who escaped by taking...
Anna
(played by Carice van Houten) — supporting
Joanna's mother and the Reverend's wife. She lives under her husband's strict and cruel religious rule. After discovering his lust for their daughter, she is publicly humiliated with a scold's bridle...
Samuel
(played by Kit Harington) — supporting
A wounded survivor of a violent gold dispute who travels with Wolf. He collapses at the Reverend's farm and is secretly aided by Joanna. He attempts to rescue Joanna from her father's planned incestuo...
Nathan
(played by Bill Tangradi) — supporting
Sally
(played by Vera Vitali) — supporting
A prostitute in the mining town of Bismuth who initially protects the young Joanna. She is hanged after shooting a violent customer, after which another prostitute named Elizabeth takes over Joanna's...
Joanna
(played by Emilia Jones) — supporting
The central child protagonist. Abused by her fanatical preacher father, she is sold to a brothel where she is protected by prostitutes. She escapes with the mute Elizabeth (Liz) and assumes her identi...
Frank
(played by Paul Anderson) — supporting
The owner of a brothel in the mining town of Bismuth. He purchases young Joanna. He is eventually murdered by Elizabeth (who later becomes Liz), an act that sets off the chain of events leading to her...
Eli
(played by William Houston) — supporting
Liz's husband and a local farmer. After the Reverend's threats and the death of his sheep, he is violently disemboweled by the Reverend. Dying, he instructs his son Matthew to flee with the family to...
Key Relationships
Joanna → Frank
(Professional Client & Owner)
Sally → Joanna
(Social Protector & Protected)
Nathan → Liz
(Professional Sheriff & Fugitive)
The Reverend → Samuel
(Conflict Killer & Victim)
Liz → The Reverend
(Conflict Enemies)
Anna → Joanna
(Family Mother & Daughter)
The Reverend → Anna
(Family Husband & Wife)
The Reverend → Joanna
(Family Father & Daughter)
Liz → Samuel
(Family Mother & Daughter)
Liz → Eli
(Family Spouses)
Story Analysis
A non-linear frontier saga exploring religious fanaticism, survival, and brutal retribution across four interwoven acts.
