To reflect his immaturity, Daniel Kim still carries a backpack covered with his middle school scribbles.
Daniel Kim's friend Tyler Mendoza is intentionally never named in the film. The focus is on the paralleled lives of Alex and Daniel, who call each other by name to establish that connection.
Alex Peterson is the only one of the three who has a vehicle, and he spends much of the film driving it. He is the only character who has a definite goal and a means to move towards it.
To focus on the innocence of these young men just entering adulthood, no older adults appear in the film. In fact, the film keeps other people at a distance or out of focus.
Before each incident of violence, a basketball bounces freely away from the characters.