Characters / Bushwhacked

Max Grabelski

Played by: Daniel Stern

A fugitive on the run who finds himself stuck with a troop of scouts in the woods.

• Berserk Button: Threatening to hurt one of the scouts in front of Max comes with consequences, as Bragdon finds out the hard way.
• Beware the Nice Ones: Max is a nice guy deep down, but don’t push him too far.
• Child Hater: Originally starts out as this, although he would never even consider harming one.
• Fly Crazy: He does not like insects swarming him, being that he’s not at all used to being out in the wilderness. Due to his lack of expertise in such a field, he drinks an entire bottle of big repellent when it’s given to him instead of spraying it on his skin.
• Jerk with a Heart of Gold: At the start of the film, Max is shown to be the opposite of the guy one should look up to, to put it very mildly. His behavior towards the scout troop throughout the movie though, shows his character development, and he goes from despising them to acting almost like a paternal figure to the group within three days.
• Large Ham: At times, Max is this.
• Nerves of Steel: Despite his usual cowardly attitude, Max does admittedly show a fair amount of courage when he needs to. When Agent Palmer has him and the troop cornered and held at gunpoint for example, Max stands firmly between him and his scouts, shielding them all with his arms even though he’s very obviously terrified himself.
• Papa Wolf: Do not ever threaten to shoot one of the scouts while Max is around.
• Unstoppable Mail Man: Mostly due to his boss’ strict behavior and his own desire to keep his job.

Scout Leader Erikson

Played by: Brad Sullivan

A no-nonsense Scout Leader who sides firmly with the law.

• Ambiguously Trained: Heavily implied to have been trained in the military at some point.
• Badass Teacher: Was supposed to lead the scout troop before Max blundered his way into the situation. He’s far more experienced than the latter at well, most everything wildnerness-related.
• Butt-Monkey: Despite all his badassery, the poor guy ends up held at gunpoint, having his hands and chin superglued to the wheel of a car that he’s forced to drive off with , and later is backstabbed by Agent Palmer and handcuffed to a very tall tree that he’s forced to climb up to get out of said cuffs .
• Cool Old Guy: He’s evidently seen a lot of wilderness in his years as he’s climbed the ranks. His introduction scene shows him shaving his neck with a hunting knife while driving.
• Ironic Nickname: Max never calls him by his actual name, but as “Sergent Doofus”. He even does so when Erikson rescues him and the scouts from being shot by Palmer , although he’s obviously delighted to see him.
• Jerk with a Heart of Gold: When he first meets Max, he stumbles upon the latter parking his vehicle in a handicapped spot. He proceeds to slap a sticker on his driver’s side window, which reads “I am an inconsiderate person”. Max is naturally, offended by this, having just parked there in a hurry.

Gordy

Played by: Blake Bashoff

One of the scouts that Max is stuck with inadvertently. His mother is the former leader of his troop.

• Big Brother Mentor: Acts as the head of the scout troop (aside from Max of course), and treats all of them as his siblings.
• Big Damn Heroes: He and the rest of the troop are this for Max when he’s about to be shot by Agent Palmer at the edge of a cliff .
• Kid Hero: He turns out to be this at the end of the film.
• Kids Versus Adults: Briefly—he and the rest of the troop work together to subdue Max once they find out the truth via radio signal.

Barnhill

Played by: Max Goldblatt

One of the scouts who’s particularly experienced in mountain climbing. His father is allegedly a spy.

• Big Eater: Is supposedly this, according to Ralph.
• Chekhov's Skill: References having climbed Mt. Kilamanjaro with his father a few times, which makes him the most experienced of the group in mountain climbing. It comes in handy when the scout troop has to cross part of a mountain that’s missing a bit of ledge.
• Deadpan Snarker: Is very prone to this with the other kids.
• Disappeared Dad: When asked by Ralph that if his father is as cool as he claims, why he isn’t leading them, Barnhill sarcastically quips “Oh yeah, spies have a lot of time for the scouts!”

Fishman

Played by: Ari Greenberg

The most timid member of the scout troop who heavily relies on his camping manual for pretty much everything.

Kelsey

Played by: Janna Michaels

The only girl in the mostly male scout troop. She’s no less capable of keeping up with the boys however.

Dana

Played by: Michael Galeota

The smallest member of the troop. He makes up for his size with his courage.

Ralph

Played by: Cory Carrier

The sixth member of the troop.