Emily Robinson — The Central Protagonist (Madison Young surrogate). Robinson plays the film’s primary point-of-view character, a young woman navigating identity, sexuality, and artistic self-definition. The role is widely understood as a fictionalized stand-in for Madison Young herself, tracking her evolution from repression to self-ownership. Functionally: Anchor of the film’s emotional and thematic arc.
Family & Authority Figures
Ally Sheedy — The Mother. Portrays the protagonist’s mother, representing traditional values, constraint, and generational tension.
Her performance operates as a moral counterweight to the protagonist’s exploration of sexuality and autonomy. Functionally: embodiment of internalized conflict and inherited expectations.Mentors / Cultural Interlocutors
Margaret Cho — Mentor / Guide Figure. Plays a supportive, worldly presence who intersects with the protagonist’s journey. Often interpreted as a voice of experience within queer/sex-positive cultural space. Functionally: bridge between marginalization and empowerment.Romantic / Interpersonal Dynamics
Brant Daugherty — Romantic Interest / Emotional Counterpart. Appears as a significant relationship figure in the protagonist’s life.
His role reflects heteronormative tension vs. the protagonist’s evolving identity. Functionally: dramatic foil in the protagonist’s emotional and sexual self-definition.
Brittany Blum — Intimate Partner / Community Figure. Plays a closer-aligned figure within the protagonist’s chosen community.
Likely tied to queer or alternative relationship dynamics explored in the film. Functionally: representation of belonging and lived identity.
Community & Subculture Ensemble
Josephine Chiang — Friend / Peer Figure. Appears within the protagonist’s social or creative circle. Functionally: grounding presence within community scenes.
Jiz Lee — Performer / Industry Figure. A notable casting choice given Lee’s real-world prominence in sex-positive and adult performance spaces.
Likely plays a character adjacent to or reflective of that world. Functionally: adds authenticity to the film’s depiction of sexual subcultures.
Bunny Michael — Spiritual / Cultural Presence. Known as an artist and spiritual influencer, Michael’s role suggests a philosophical or reflective layer. Functionally: expands the film’s thematic register into identity, spirituality, and self-concept.
King Lotus Boy — Subcultural Figure. Likely part of the performance/art/queer community depicted in the film.
Functionally: texture and realism within alternative cultural spaces.
Extended Ensemble (Primarily Contextual Roles)
These actors contribute to world-building rather than singular narrative arcs:
Kuba Adams
Alotta Boutté
William Brosnahan
Casey Calvert
Daniel Camou
Wyatt Denny
Nessa Dougherty
Jenna Harwood
David Kubicka
Briar Magee
Rose McAvoy
Lea Robinson
Jagger Risk
Piera Tamer
Audrey Wells
Function collectively: Populate performance venues, social circles, domestic spaces, and transitional environments reinforce the film’s immersive, semi-autobiographical realism
From Other Film Critics
“Emily Robinson anchors the film as Young’s on-screen surrogate…”
“Ally Sheedy’s mother figure embodies the friction between repression and liberation…”
“Margaret Cho appears as a seasoned guide through the film’s sex-positive landscape…”