As I'm reading about character and characterization, some things come to mind. I should watch this movie
super quick thought.... character vs characterization in THE WAILING. How the main character is definitely not a "hero" in the traditional sense. He's a cop but he's kinda a doofus. He's constantly in trouble and clearly not the best officer in his unit by far. But this makes the lengths he is willing to go to save his daughter all the more compelling and his inevitable failure all the more compelling as well because despite his efforts, which push him to reach beyond himself, he ultimately fails BECAUSE of his nature. He is not the hero he tries to be.
ANYWHO- scene in PRISONERS with Jake Gyllenhaal.
So many things are established in that opening scene. He's alone at a diner, literally the only customer there. It's pouring out, this already establishes that he's a loner. But the waitress saying "happy thanksgiving" is awesome. He doesn't have a family. He asks the waitress playful questions, he's not got many people to talk to.