Elias represented the "Golden Child" trope turned sour. His loyalty wasn't born of love, but of a desperate need for a father’s approval that Arthur only gave in the form of more work.

John, the patriarch of the family, was a hardworking man who provided for his family but was often absent due to his demanding job. He had a strained relationship with his eldest son, Michael, who felt abandoned and neglected by his father's constant absence. Michael, who was 19 years old, had become rebellious and distant, often clashing with his parents over his late-night outings and poor grades.