Who Are the Main Characters in Lowriders?

The main characters in Lowriders are Danny Alvarez (Gabriel Chavarria), his father Miguel Alvarez (Demián Bichir), his older brother Francisco “Ghost” Alvarez (Theo Rossi), Gloria (Eva Longoria), and Lorelei (Melissa Benoist). These central figures drive the film’s family drama set against the East L.A. lowrider scene.

About the Film and Its Context

Lowriders, directed by Ricardo de Montreuil and released widely in 2017 after a 2016 festival debut, follows a Mexican American family in East Los Angeles whose lives intersect with the artistry and rivalry of the lowrider community. The story centers on a young graffiti artist torn between his own ambitions and the pull of family legacy, pride, and reconciliation.

Main Characters

Below is a concise guide to the film’s principal characters and the roles they play within the narrative of family conflict, culture, and creativity.

• Danny Alvarez (Gabriel Chavarria) — A talented graffiti artist struggling to define his identity beyond his family’s lowrider heritage and the expectations placed on him.
• Miguel Alvarez (Demián Bichir) — Danny’s father, a proud, exacting lowrider builder whose dedication to craft and tradition strains his relationship with his sons.
• Francisco “Ghost” Alvarez (Theo Rossi) — Danny’s older brother, recently out of prison, whose simmering resentment and charisma fuel family tensions and competition on the streets.
• Gloria (Eva Longoria) — Miguel’s partner, a stabilizing, empathetic presence who urges dialogue and healing within the fractured family.
• Lorelei (Melissa Benoist) — Danny’s girlfriend, an aspiring photographer who encourages his creative vision and offers a path beyond the confines of family conflict.

Together, these characters embody the film’s core themes: generational rifts, the push-pull between tradition and self-expression, and the search for belonging within culture and family.

How These Characters Shape the Story

Danny’s artistic ambitions collide with Miguel’s devotion to craftsmanship and Ghost’s hunger for recognition, creating a triangle of conflict that plays out in garages, galleries, and car shows. Gloria and Lorelei provide moral support and perspective, pushing the men toward growth and reconciliation without dulling the film’s gritty authenticity.

Summary

Lowriders centers on five main characters: Danny, Miguel, Ghost, Gloria, and Lorelei. Their intertwined relationships, set amid the vibrant lowrider culture of East L.A., drive a story about family, identity, and the cost—and value—of honoring one’s roots.