Richard Detmer

Richard Detmer is the main antagonist of the 2012 film, Chronicle. He is abusive father of Andrew Detmer and the alcoholic husband of Karen Detmer. He is portrayed by Michael Kelly.

Richard has been an alcoholic since he lost his job as a firefighter. He was verbally and physically abusive to Andrew, contributing to the latter's psychopathy. His wife, Karen had cancer and he seems to some what care for her. He teases and beats Andrew presumably out of alcohol-induced jealousy for his wife giving more love and attention towards Andrew than him. When Andrew gets telekinetic powers he uses them on him one day, who tries to abuse Andrew out of jealousy for trying to independently find his own happiness by attending a talent show and a party, to a point Richard calls Andrew a "loser." Even though Richard was overpowered, rather than showing respect for the super-powered Andrew, it made him more viciously jealous of Andrew for being more powerful than him. Then Andrew takes a gas mask and a fireman suit and calls himself "The Apex Predator" and robs people. Andrew is suddenly in a hospital and Richard is called down. He says to Andrew that he spent all day looking for Andrew one day to follow him and when he got home his wife was dead. He blamed Andrew for her death and tried to hit Andrew while he was in bed once again out of his warped jealousy of his son for altogether being loved more by his wife who died without what Richard thinks to be not showing any love towards him, his powers and his overall were existence, but Andrew stopped the attack. He blew up the hospital room and threw Richard off the building but Matt Garetty saved his life.