Wilfred is a traditional Nebraskan farmer who views his 80-acre plot as his entire world. He holds deep patriarchal beliefs and reacts with extreme hostility when his authority is challenged. Convinced that rural farm life is the only path to salvation, he manipulates his son to help secure his hold on the property.

Henry is the 14-year-old son of Wilfred and Arlette. He is initially sensitive and hesitant about violence but lacks the maturity to resist his father's relentless psychological pressure. His innocent attachment to his girlfriend offers a clear contrast to the dark secrets festering in his own home.

Arlette is a forward-thinking woman who inherits 100 acres from her late father. She desires to escape the grueling isolation of rural farming to open a dress shop in Omaha. Her refusal to submit to her husband's demands threatens his entire way of life.

Sheriff Jones represents local law enforcement in the rural Nebraskan county. He is generally unbothered by domestic disputes and holds sexist views about marriage. He conducts superficial investigations and often takes men at their word.

Shannon is a local teenager who provides a source of light and normalcy for Henry. She visits the James farm twice a week to cook meals and spend time on the porch. She remains completely unaware of the dark activities occurring on the neighboring property.

Harlan is the most successful farmer in the county, boasting modern amenities like indoor plumbing. He expects strict obedience from his family and acts as a harsh judge of the James family's behavior.

Sallie is Harlan's wife and a practical rural woman. She participates in the community's polite exchanges, occasionally offering food and farm equipment usage to her neighbors.

Andrew is a lawyer representing the Farrington Company, a livestock corporation. He brings formal legal pressure to the isolated farming community and searches for answers regarding Arlette's property.

Mr. Stoppenhauser is a local banker who manages the finances of area farmers. He encourages property owners to take out secondary mortgages for home improvements.

Victoria is a resident of the St. Eusebia Catholic home for girls. She pays close attention to the people passing by the alleys near the institution and acts as a secret messenger.

Charles is a security guard stationed at a bank in the city. He tries to maintain order and peace rather than using force during dangerous and tense situations at his workplace.

Elphis is a cow on the James farm named after the Greek goddess of hope. She is a vital asset to the family's agricultural operations and daily survival.

Achelois is a dairy cow whose name means "she who washes away pain." She produces milk for the James family and serves as a critical component of their livelihood.