Siblings Megan and Noah return to their childhood home to help their aging parents downsize, expecting a weekend of tedious packing and nostalgic reminiscing. Instead, they uncover a nightmare buried beneath the foundation of their family’s past: a human skeleton, long hidden in a forgotten corner of the basement. This grisly discovery instantly shatters their perception of their parents and their seemingly ordinary upbringing, plunging them into a terrifying rabbit hole of long-buried secrets, small-town lies, and a legacy of crime and murder they never knew existed.

Forced to question everything they thought was true, Megan and Noah embark on a dangerous investigation of their own, unsure of who they can trust in a town where everyone seems to be keeping secrets. As they dig deeper, they realize that unearthing the past has made them targets in the present, and the peaceful facade of their hometown begins to crack, revealing a darkness that threatens to consume them. “Adulthood” is a gripping thriller about the horrifying moment you realize your parents are strangers and that the truth can be deadly.

Adulthood all actors list

1. Kaya Scodelario as Megan

Kaya Scodelario delivers a powerhouse performance as Megan, the older, more pragmatic sister who has always been the responsible one in the family. Scodelario portrays Megan as a woman whose controlled, orderly life is completely upended by the macabre discovery in the basement. Her initial shock quickly hardens into a determined, almost obsessive need for answers, driven by a profound sense of betrayal and a desperate need to reconcile the parents she loved with the potential monsters she never knew. Scodelario masterfully captures her character’s transformation from a skeptical realist into a fearless investigator.

Scodelario ensures that Megan is the emotional and intellectual engine of the film. Her resolve is tested as the investigation becomes increasingly perilous, forcing her to confront her own limits and make morally ambiguous choices to protect her brother and uncover the truth. Her chemistry with Josh Gad provides both the film’s emotional core and its source of tense, sibling friction, as their contrasting approaches to the crisis threaten to tear them apart even as the external danger closes in.

2. Josh Gad as Noah

Josh Gad reveals impressive dramatic range as Noah, the younger, more sensitive brother who has always lived somewhat in his sister’s shadow. Gad portrays Noah as a man unprepared for the horrifying reality they uncover, his initial fear and reluctance giving way to a surprising resilience he never knew he possessed. Where Megan is driven by logic, Noah is guided by emotion and a deep, aching need to preserve the memory of the family he thought he had, making him initially more willing to believe there’s some innocent explanation.

Gad’s performance provides the heart of the film, as Noah’s journey is one of shattered innocence and reluctant courage. His often-humorous demeanor serves as a crucial relief valve in the tension, but Gad never lets the audience forget the profound trauma and vulnerability simmering beneath the surface. His evolution from a frightened bystander into an active, crucial participant in their dangerous quest is one of the film’s most compelling arcs, showcasing a side of the actor we rarely get to see.

3. Anthony Carrigan as Everett

Anthony Carrigan is chillingly effective as Everett, a mysterious and intimidating figure from the town’s shadowy past whose path crosses with Megan and Noah’s investigation. Carrigan brings his signature ability to blend unsettling calm with palpable menace, creating a character whose friendly smile never quite reaches his cold, calculating eyes. He is a man of few words, but each one carries a veiled threat, and his sudden interest in the siblings’ activities suggests he holds the key to the basement’s dark secret.

Carrigan’s performance is a masterclass in quiet threat. His Everett is a ghost from a bygone era, a living embodiment of the secrets the town has worked hard to forget. His interactions with the siblings are charged with a terrifying ambiguity; he could be a potential ally, the murderer they seek, or something far more complex. Carrigan ensures that Everett’s every appearance raises the stakes and deepens the mystery, making him a fascinating and formidable antagonist.

4. Billie Lourd as Lindsey

Billie Lourd appears as Lindsey, a sharp, resourceful local archivist or journalist who becomes an unlikely ally to Megan and Noah. Lourd brings a witty, skeptical energy to the role, portraying a woman who knows the town’s history better than anyone and is initially amused by the siblings’ city-slicker paranoia. Her deep knowledge of the community’s past and her access to long-buried records make her an invaluable resource in piecing together the puzzle.

Lourd’s character provides a crucial bridge between the siblings and the insular town. Her initial curiosity about their investigation slowly turns into invested concern as she helps them connect the dots, potentially putting her own safety at risk. Her performance adds a dose of levity and local color, but also serves as a reminder that some people in the town are willing to confront its dark history, even if it means challenging powerful, long-held secrets.

5. Alex Winter as Joe Coella

Alex Winter brings a grounded, weary authority to the role of Joe Coella, the town’s longtime sheriff who initially dismisses the skeleton as a historical artifact. Winter portrays Coella as a man who prefers simple, tidy explanations, his patience wearing thin as Megan and Noah’s investigation stirs up old rumors and threatens to disrupt the peace he’s worked hard to maintain. His folksy demeanor masks a sharp mind and a deep protectiveness over his community.

Winter’s performance expertly walks the line between ally and obstacle. Is Sheriff Coella genuinely trying to manage a messy situation, or is he actively obstructing the investigation to protect someone—or himself? His evolving dynamic with the siblings creates a compelling cat-and-mouse game, as they must decide whether he is a figure of authority they can trust or a gatekeeper of the town’s darkest secrets.

6. Chris Candy as T’Shawn

Chris Candy appears as T’Shawn, a charismatic and well-connected local who operates on the fringes of the law. Candy brings a charming yet dangerous energy to the role, portraying a man who has his finger on the pulse of the town’s underworld and who might be willing to trade information for a price. He represents the gritty, unspoken economy and relationships that exist beneath the town’s placid surface.

Candy’s performance adds a layer of street-level tension and realism to the investigation. T’Shawn’s knowledge of the town’s history and its players makes him a wildcard who could either provide the breakthrough Megan and Noah need or lead them into a deadly trap. His character reinforces the theme that every person in this town has a role to play and a secret to keep.

– The Supporting Town

The film is populated by a talented ensemble that brings the claustrophobic town to life: Leandro Vigueras provides a memorable turn as a potential suspect with a volatile temper. Nck Name appears as Diego, another local with ties to the past. Jinny Wong brings urgency to her role as a concerned family friend. Joel Lacoursiere and Sean O.G. Simms round out the cast as Officers Powell and T’Shawn, representing the official response to the chaos. Heather Tod Mitchell is haunting as an Older Woman who may hold the final, devastating piece of the puzzle in her memory.

Why Adulthood Is a Must-See

• A Gripping Mystery: A perfectly paced thriller that will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat until the final, shocking reveal.

• Stellar Lead Performances: Kaya Scodelario and Josh Gad are a phenomenal duo, blending drama, tension, and humor seamlessly.

• Chilling Supporting Turn: Anthony Carrigan delivers another unforgettable, unsettling performance that steals every scene he’s in.

• Relatable Fear: Taps into the universal anxiety of uncovering family secrets and realizing the people you trust most might be strangers.

The Truth is Down There. Adulthood premieres in theaters September 19, 2025.