Sam is a 28-year-old woman working on the local ferry who dreams of leaving San Juan Island for a more prosperous life. She is fiercely protective of her older sister and terminally ill mother, shouldering immense economic stress alongside them. Wariness of outsiders defines her interactions, as she prefers the safety of her isolated family unit over socializing with peers. She survives her exhausting, low-paying shifts by constantly daydreaming about a future where she can sell her grandmother's house and relocate to the mainland.

Elena is Sam's 29-year-old sister who works at a local golf course and manages the household's demanding finances. Resigned to a permanent life on the island, she quietly bears the brunt of their mother's daily medical care and the family's mounting bills. Unlike her anxious sister, she approaches the unexpected arrival of a bear in their yard with intense fascination. She finds rare joy in searching for the animal during her walks home from work.

The Arthur sisters' mother is a former nail technician suffering from a terminal pulmonary condition. Once vibrant and locally admired for her beauty, she now relies entirely on her adult daughters for daily care and financial support. Despite her chronic physical pain, she remains deeply interested in her daughters' lives and envisions a continued future for them in their ancestral home.

The bear is a wild animal that unexpectedly arrives at the Arthur sisters' island home. Its lingering presence outside their house creates immediate tension, as bears are not typical permanent residents of San Juan Island. It serves as a severe disruption to the sisters' mundane, stressful routines, dividing their opinions on safety and nature.

Danny is a lifelong San Juan Island resident and a former high school classmate of the Arthur sisters. He lives next door and frequently offers unsolicited but practical help with home exterior repairs. Though Sam initially views his attention with extreme skepticism, he attempts to prove himself as a reliable, non-judgmental presence in their neighborhood.

Madeline Petitt is an agent for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. She approaches human-animal encounters with professional detachment and strict adherence to state protocol. Her primary goal is to assess residential properties for food attractants and ensure locals do not accidentally embolden wild predators.

Ben is a deckhand working alongside Sam on the local passenger ferry. He comes from a wealthier background, which creates immediate friction with the financially struggling Sam. Despite her constant defensive rebuffs, he persistently attempts to spend time with her off the clock.

Kristine works at the local island golf course alongside Elena. She provides basic logistical support for her coworker, occasionally driving her to and from their early shifts when the sisters share a single vehicle.

The mother's former partner lived with the Arthur family when the sisters were young teenagers. His violent behavior shattered the safety of their childhood home until a teacher's intervention finally forced him off the property. His memory continues to cast a long shadow over Sam's ability to trust men or outsiders.

The local island sheriff responds to initial emergency calls regarding wildlife disturbances. He approaches the unexpected animal sighting casually, assuming the creature is merely migrating through the area toward Canada and will not bother the residents again.