Pete is a resident of Almost, Maine, who is dating Ginette. He is an honest and well-meaning individual but struggles to read social cues. He focuses heavily on analytical thoughts, choosing to theorize about distance rather than being emotionally present with his partner.

Ginette is dating Pete and prefers to experience her emotions in the moment. She is less analytical than her partner and tries to express her feelings directly. She becomes frustrated when Pete responds to her declaration of affection with an abstract theory.

East is a repairman who lives in Almost. He is a straightforward man who sees the world as a collection of things that can be fixed. He discovers a stranger in his yard and feels an immediate attraction to her.

Glory is an out-of-town hiker visiting northern Maine. She sets up a tent in a stranger's yard to watch the northern lights, believing they represent torches carried by the recently departed. She carries her broken heart in a paper bag and feels heavy guilt over her late husband.

Wes is Glory's late husband. He left her for someone else and later died in an accident after she refused to take him back.

Jimmy is a heating and cooling repairman who runs his family's business alone. He struggles with loneliness following a breakup. He carries a misspelled tattoo to punish himself for driving his ex-girlfriend away.

Sandrine is Jimmy's ex-girlfriend. She visits the local hangout with her friends to celebrate her upcoming marriage to a forest ranger. She tries to politely manage an awkward reunion with Jimmy without hurting his feelings.

Martin is a legendary forest ranger. He is engaged to Sandrine.

Villian is a waitress at the Moose Paddy hangout. She serves drinks to Jimmy and Sandrine, offering Jimmy a free drink special meant for sad customers.

Marvalyn resides at the local boarding house. She is kind but fiercely protects herself emotionally. She does laundry for herself and her boyfriend, struggling to admit her dissatisfaction with his controlling behavior.

Steve is an open and kind man who lives at the boarding house. He has a condition that prevents him from feeling physical pain. He carries notebooks to document things that can hurt him and things he should fear.

Paul is Steve's brother. He acts as a protector, helping Steve understand what causes pain and instructing him on what to fear.

Eric is Marvalyn's boyfriend. He fights frequently with Marvalyn and is described as jealous and controlling.

Gayle has been dating Lendall for eleven years. She arrives at his house to demand back all the love she gave him. She acts impulsively out of deep frustration because she believes he avoids the topic of marriage.

Lendall is Gayle's longtime boyfriend. He is roused from sleep by Gayle's demands and tries to understand her frustration. He struggles to clearly express his commitment, even though his intentions are earnest.

Randy/Deena is one half of a close friendship. After discussing terrible heterosexual dating experiences, they initially react with discomfort to their friend's romantic confession before realizing they share the exact same feelings.

Chad/Shelly is an impulsive and open individual. After a bad date, they realize that their best friend is the only source of happiness in their life. They take a major risk by making the first move, literally collapsing under the weight of their romantic feelings.

Phil is a working man dealing with the financial pressure of supporting his family. His long work hours cause him to neglect his role as a husband, leading him to forget his wedding anniversary.

Marci is Phil's hard-working wife. She conceals her frustration over Phil's lack of attention until an argument exposes her deep loneliness in the marriage.

Hope is a stylish woman who traveled to find a fulfilling life. She left Almost years ago without answering a marriage proposal. She returns to her hometown to deliver her delayed answer.

Daniel is Hope's former boyfriend. He stayed in Almost rather than traveling the world. The long wait for Hope's answer caused him to lose his optimism and physically change.

Rhonda is a tough woman who enjoys snowmobiling. She does not see herself as an object of romantic desire. She struggles to understand why a man would want to give her a gift or spend time with her romantically.

Dave is an earnest man who cares deeply for Rhonda. He takes art classes specifically to paint her an abstract picture. He persists in trying to break through her defensive exterior.