Amber Alert Cast & Character Guide

Kerry Bellessa’s 2024 movie Amber Alert is a fast-paced kidnap story. The film is a remake of Bellessa’s 2012 movie of the same name, which made use of a found footage style. While the primary plot elements are similar, the Amber Alert remake is able to expand on the original in a few ways, including some changes to the story. Amber Alert has received mixed to good reviews.

While the direction and interesting take on the abduction thriller genre keep the movie interesting, the real highlight of Amber Alert is the acting performances of the main characters. Amber Alert centers on two people in a ride-share who become involved in a kidnapping when they decide to follow a car fitting the description of an Amber Alert. The movie takes time to introduce the characters and make them feel real, and the two leads have great chemistry.

Hayden Panettiere As Jaq

Date Of Birth: August 21, 1989

Actor: Hayden Panettiere was born in Palisades, New York in 1989 and began acting in commercials at just 11 months old. She first gained attention as Sarah Roberts in the series One Life to Live in 1994, and she continued to act in other television series from that point on. As an adult, Panettiere continued to gain fame from her roles in the series Heroes and Nashville and as Kirby Reed in the Scream movie series. Panettiere has also been nominated for and won numerous awards throughout her career.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: Hayden Panettiere plays Jaq, one of the main characters, in Amber Alert. After missing her ride, Jaq convinces an Uber driver, Shane, to give her a ride despite his desire to get home to his son. After the two begin driving, they notice a car matching the description of an Amber Alert and decide to follow it, hoping to rescue the kidnapped girl. Jaq is characterized by her desire to help the abducted girl, despite the dangers and Shane’s initial skepticism.

Tyler James Williams As Shane

Date Of Birth: October 9, 1992

Actor: Tyler James Williams was born in Westchester County, New York in 1992, and he began acting as a child, making appearances on Saturday Night Live and Sesame Street. Williams’ breakout role came in 2005 when he starred as the main character, Chris, in Everybody Hates Chris. Williams also gained recognition from his roles in the 2010s, such as in the film Dear White People and the TV series The Walking Dead. More recently, Williams won an Emmy Award for his performance as Gregory in the popular series Abbott Elementary.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: Tyler James Williams stars as the second main character, Shane, alongside Hayden Panettiere. Shane is an Uber driver who reluctantly agrees to give Jaq a ride and then helps follow the potential kidnapper. He and Jaq are open and kind to each other throughout the ride, and Shane shares his love for his son with her.

Kevin Dunn As Sgt. Phil Casey

Date Of Birth: August 24, 1955

Actor: Kevin Dunn was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1955, and he began his career with small appearances in several TV shows and movies such as Jack and Mike, Cheers, and Blue Steel. Throughout his career, Dunn has made numerous guest appearances on well-known TV shows, but Kevin Dunn is most recognizable for his role in the Transformers movies and the 1998 movie Godzilla. Recently, Dunn has become well known for his role as Ben Cafferty in the comedy series Veep.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: Kevin Dunn appears as the police sergeant Phil Casey in Amber Alert. After hearing of Jaq and Shane’s call to the police with information about the alert, Casey attempts to help locate them and the kidnapper before it is too late.

Amber Alert Supporting Cast & Characters

Saidah Arrika Ekulona As Cici: Saidah Arrika Ekulona stars in Amber Alert as Cici, the monitor for the police’s phone line for information about the Amber Alert. Ekulona has appeared in numerous films and television series but is best known for her appearances in the series Impastor and Kevin Can Wait.

Kurt Oberhaus As Aaron: Kurt Oberhaus plays the kidnapper, Aaron, in Amber Alert whom Jaq and Shane follow in their car. Oberhaus has also appeared in the series Pam & Tommy and Truth Be Told.

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Katie McClellan As Monica: Katie McClellan plays Monica, the mother of the kidnapped child in Amber Alert. McClellan has also appeared on the TV shows Believe and FBI.

Ducky Cash As Charlotte: Ducky Cash plays Charlotte, the young girl who is kidnapped from the playground in Amber Alert. Before starring in Amber Alert, the young actor appeared in the 2022 movie Perimortem.

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After receiving an Amber Alert on their phones, Jaq and her driver Shane realize they are trailing the car of the suspected kidnapper. What begins as a typical rideshare quickly turns into a tense, high-stakes chase as they race against time to save the abducted child. The film stars Hayden Panettiere and Tyler James Williams.

Director

Kerry Bellessa

Writers

Kerry Bellessa
, Joshua Oram

Cast

Hayden Panettiere
, Tyler James Williams
, Kevin Dunn
, Saidah Arrika Ekulona
, Ducky Cash

Release Date

September 27, 2024

Runtime

90 Minutes