This article contains discussions/references to murder and racism

The Blumhouse-produced horror thriller Soft & Quiet involves a limited cast for its claustrophobic settings. The choice of relying on only a handful of main cast members makes sense given how the entirety of the movie takes place within a matter of a few hours. Building upon horror movies with social commentary, like Blumhouse’s Get Out, Soft & Quiet seems to show a women's get-together. However, things soon take a dark turn when these women reveal their white supremacist views, which set off a chain of chaotically violent events. Helmed by Beth de Araújo in her directorial debut, Soft & Quiet is a haunting insight into the race relations plaguing modern America.

While the Soft & Quiet cast might not include mainstream names, each of the main actors chillingly showcase their dramatic prowess. Ranking among the best horror movies filmed in one continuous shot, it provides an unsettling viewing experience as the central figures indulge in ill-intentioned mischief that soon turns into full-blown anarchy. Instead of relying on any supernatural scares, Beth de Araújo lets the central ensemble terrify the audiences with their mannerisms and beliefs, which can be found in the real world.

Stefanie Estes As Emily

Stefanie Estes leads the Soft & Quiet cast as the elementary school teacher Emily. Harboring conservative views on race and gender, Emily is intent on brainwashing children with her propaganda and even hopes to write children’s books to forward her feelings towards “an ethnic state”. The antagonistic lead is played by Estes, who played a supporting character named Sarah in the sci-fi drama, Tales from the Loop. Interestingly, Sarah is also a teacher. Estes also appeared in an episode of the superhero thriller series Legion as a clinical nurse called Williams and starred in the horror, Bethany, as Claire, a woman traumatized by her abusive mother and a mysterious entity.

Olivia Luccardi As Leslie

An ex-convict who now works as a store clerk, Leslie is new to the women’s group but is overly enthusiastic to participate in their activities. Finding a purpose in life to align with the supremacists, Leslie gets a little too involved in spreading hate and indulging in violence (the shocking repercussions of which can be felt in the Soft & Quiet ending). Leslie is very similar to Olivia Luccardi’s character in the prison drama Orange Is the New Black, the immature and racist inmate Jennifer Digori. The actor is also known for playing the helpful yet terrified teenager, Yara, in It Follows and the optimistic sex worker Melissa in The Deuce.

Dana Millican As Kim

Kim is a store owner, a proud mother of four children and one of the chief figures of the women’s collective, known as Daughters for Aryan Unity. Even though she can be violently hot-headed when required, she still holds back her temper out of concern for her family. A far cry from her evil character, Soft & Quiet cast member Dana Millican had a more empathetic role in Leave No Trace as Jean, a social worker taking care of Thomasin McKenzie’s protagonist Tom. She also appeared in several hilarious sketches of Fred Armisen’s Portlandia, playing a therapist, waitress, wedding planner and many other characters.

Melissa Paulo As Anne

Anne is a waitress and one character who is the victim of a hate crime as the Daughters for Aryan Unity racially abuse her. Even though Anne tries to avoid any conflict with the supremacists, she's compelled to face deadly challenges and remains determined to survive at all costs. The character is played by Melissa Paulo, who has made brief appearances in films like The Opening Act and Sex Tape and in tv shows, 90210 and Hawaii Five-0. She was also credited as a Bar Girl in Star Trek Into Darkness and Room Service Waitress in A Futile and Stupid Gesture. Soft & Quiet marks her first major leading role.

Eleanore Pienta As Marjorie

Marjorie is a disgruntled and racist retail worker, who has a personal grudge against a co-worker of Colombian descent. Even though she’s new to the ways of the Daughters for Aryan Unity, she quickly starts aligning with the group’s racist ideologies and is the first one to aggravate the situation with Anne. Eleanore Pienta joins the Soft & Quiet cast as Marjorie. Pienta previously starred in the drama Kendra and Beth where she played the titular protagonist Kendra, a friendly stranger who befriends the lonely warehouse employee Beth. Apart from acting in various shorts, Pienta was credited as “Anthropologie Customer” in an episode of Broad City.

Jon Beavers As Craig

Emily's husband, Craig, identifies with the hateful agendas of the other lead characters. At the same time, he exercises control over his impulses and refrains from indulging in any troublemaking activities unlike his wife and her peers. Craig is played by Jon Beavers whom Animal Kingdom fans would remember as Jake Dunmore, a criminal associated with Manny’s Crew and the Cody family. Interestingly, Jake is the father of one of the most powerful Animal Kingdom characters, who is also named Craig. Beavers started his career as the goofy-natured DJ and rapper Twist in The Fresh Beat Band and has also portrayed the exploitative social media influencer Kylo in Bel-Air.

Cissy Ly As Lily

Anne’s sister, Lily, is angered by the racism she faces and decides to stand up for herself against the hate-fueled leads of Soft & Quiet. Her bold nature is evident from how Lily taunts Emily by bringing up her incarcerated brother's past, instantly bringing Emily to tears. Much like her sister, she is also forced to resort to her own wits when her life comes under threat. The supporting character is portrayed by Cissy Ly, who has had single-episode appearances in Shameless, Roadies and A Little Late with Lilly Singh. She also starred in the drama Sad Eyes as Camille, a melancholic woman returning to her hometown.

Soft & Quiet Supporting Cast & Characters

Jayden Leavitt as Brian - Brian is a kindergarten student of Emily’s. It’s hinted that Emily is grooming Brian to harbor prejudices against people of color, which makes Soft & Quiet’s real-world themes all the more haunting. The character is played by Jayden Leavitt who marked his screen debut by joining the Soft & Quiet cast.

Rebekah Wiggins as Alice - Alice is one of the main members of the Daughters for Aryan Unity and joins the collective’s social mixer. She is played by Rebekah Wiggins, who has appeared in episodes of Manhattan, Preacher, Longmire and numerous short films. She also had brief roles in the war drama Brothers and the buddy cop black comedy War on Everyone.

Shannon Mahoney as Jessica - The daughter of a Ku Klux Klan chapter president, Jessica is herself a proud member of the infamous organization and regularly posts on the neo-Nazi web forum Stormfront. She is played by Shannon Mahoney, who has chiefly appeared in the spiritual sci-fi film The Wisdom Tree and the romantic drama My Sunset Girl.

Josh Peters as Father - The priest at the venue of the women’s get-together is played by Josh Peters. While his stint in the Soft & Quiet cast marks his only acting credit, Peters is an accomplished producer having executive produced The Lighthouse and Uncle Frank. He also serves as one of the producers of Soft & Quiet.

Nina E. Jordan as Nora - Nora is Brian’s mother who briefly appears at the beginning of Soft & Quiet. She is played by Nina E. Jordan, who previously appeared in the Winona Ryder-led horror Gone in the Night.

Jovita Molina as Maria - A janitor at Emily's kindergarten school, Maria is looked at with suspicion by Emily who later frames her for hurting Brian. The Soft & Quiet character is played by Jovita Molina who appeared in an episode of the Hugh Laurie-led drama series Chance and the short film Mi Alma.