(Paul Dano): Sammy's practical, scientist father who views filmmaking as a mere hobby.
: Encouraged by his artistic mother, Mitzi, Sammy begins making his own home movies using his father's 8mm camera. He recreates train crashes, directs his sisters in "monster" movies, and eventually makes more ambitious films for his Boy Scout troop. (Paul Dano): Sammy's practical, scientist father who views
: The film explores the conflict between Sammy’s artistic drive and his personal life as he deals with his parents' fracturing marriage, antisemitic bullying at school, and first love. : The film explores the conflict between Sammy’s
: Ultimately, the story highlights how film acts as a way for Sammy to process reality and find his truth, culminating in a fateful meeting with a legendary Hollywood director that sets him on his future path. Main Characters Through the lens of his camera, he accidentally
: As Sammy enters adolescence, his family moves from New Jersey to Arizona and later California. Through the lens of his camera, he accidentally discovers a shattering secret—an emotional affair between his mother and his father’s best friend, Bennie.
(Seth Rogen): Burt's best friend and a constant presence in the family's life.