"They'll never get caught. They're on a mission from God."
The Blues Brothers - Characters & Cast
Character Analysis
Jake "Joliet" Blues
John Belushi
Motivation
To save the orphanage (penance) and reclaim his identity as a frontman.
Character Arc
Starts as a freshly released convict with no direction; receives a divine vision and transforms into a focused leader who wills the mission into existence through sheer audacity and aggression.
Elwood Blues
Dan Aykroyd
Motivation
Loyalty to his brother and the mission.
Character Arc
Remains a constant, grounding force. While Jake provides the fire, Elwood provides the method (and the car). He is the pragmatic engine that keeps the mission moving without complaint or visible emotion.
Sister Mary Stigmata (The Penguin)
Kathleen Freeman
Motivation
To save the children and maintain moral order.
Character Arc
Serves as the moral compass and the catalyst for the journey. She rejects their "dirty money," forcing them to seek a legitimate (if chaotic) solution.
Mystery Woman
Carrie Fisher
Motivation
Revenge for being left at the altar.
Character Arc
A force of nature representing the consequences of Jake's past. She escalates from shooting at them to blowing up buildings, only to be disarmed by a single romantic gesture from Jake.