Yunior is a sensitive and observant Dominican boy who later immigrates to New Jersey. He faces heavy expectations imposed by his father and brother, who demand he perform traditional masculine roles. Caught between his native culture and American society, he searches for his own identity while experiencing deep emotional vulnerability.

Rafa is Yunior's older brother. Rough and confident, he comfortably performs aggressive masculine traits, acting as a direct contrast to Yunior's quiet nature. He actively seeks independence from his family and focuses heavily on socializing and pursuing girls.

Ramón is Yunior and Rafa's father, who leaves his family in the Dominican Republic to seek prosperity in the United States. He is a domineering figure who enforces strict, traditional norms on his sons through physical and emotional abuse. His life in America involves difficult manual labor, language barriers, and broken promises to his original family.

Virta is Yunior and Rafa's mother. She works exhaustingly long hours before eventually moving her family to the United States. She silently endures financial hardship and marital strife, trying to provide emotional stability and care for her children.

Ysrael is a young Dominican boy whose face was severely disfigured by a pig when he was an infant. He wears a mask to hide his injuries and wanders his town alone. He takes refuge in superhero comic books and wrestling fantasies to cope with relentless bullying from other children and adults.

Lucero is a small-time drug dealer living a chaotic life in his New Jersey neighborhood. He balances his illegal trade with intense moments of emotional vulnerability, specifically regarding his unstable romantic life. He frequently patrols his neighborhood corners and breaks into empty apartments.

Aurora is a troubled seventeen-year-old girl battling drug addiction. She spends time in a juvenile detention center and frequently wanders between different groups in the neighborhood. She relies on Lucero for shelter and affection, though their bond is highly volatile.

Cut is Lucero's reliable friend and partner in the drug trade. He prefers to keep their operation small and manageable to avoid police attention. He acts as a pragmatic voice of reason, actively disliking the chaos that Aurora brings into their lives.

Wayne is a delivery driver who transports high-end pool tables to wealthy suburbs. He takes his job seriously but struggles with fidelity, frequently discussing his affairs with his coworker. He reacts poorly to disrespectful customers.

Pruitt is an affluent, demanding bachelor living in a newly constructed New Jersey neighborhood. He expects prompt service and maintains a pristine home, leaving his domestic worker to handle interactions with delivery men.

Nilda is a Dominican woman living in Brooklyn who takes Ramón in and teaches him English after he arrives in New York. She provides him with housing, stability, and a new family life, unaware of his original family back in the Dominican Republic.

Milagros is Nilda's daughter from a previous marriage. She lives in Brooklyn and possesses an extensive collection of formal dresses that her mother proudly displays to visitors.

Jo-Jo, formally Jorge Carretas Lugones, is a friend of Ramón in New York. He is an ambitious immigrant who constantly encourages Ramón to start a business and send for his original family.

Tía Yrma is Virta's sister who lives in the Bronx and hosts a large family party. She is highly observant of the tension between Virta and Ramón, expressing quiet concern for her sister's well-being.

Tío Miguel is Tía Yrma's husband, a gregarious and larger-than-life figure who hosts the family in his Bronx apartment. He frequently offers alcohol and loud jokes to lighten the mood.

Abuelo is Virta's father who lives in Santo Domingo. He watches over his grandsons and attempts to manage Ramón's infidelities, eventually loaning Ramón the money needed to travel to the United States.

Padre Lou is a local priest who protects Ysrael and teaches him English in preparation for a potential medical trip up north. He provides Ysrael with a safe haven from the cruelties of the town.

Madai is Yunior and Rafa's younger sister. As a toddler, she is terrified of her father's loud and abusive outbursts, frequently trembling when he raises his voice.

Wilfredo is a neighborhood boy in the Dominican Republic who plays with Yunior. He trades North American nicknames with Yunior and frequently asks about the family's business.

Pesao is Ysrael's healthy four-year-old brother. His lack of physical deformities starkly contrasts with Ysrael's condition, highlighting Ysrael's isolation within his own family.

Chuito is Ramón's coworker at the aluminum factory. He endures workplace discrimination and eventually helps Ramón find a new job as a superintendent in New Jersey.

Eulalio is Ramón's roommate in Miami who constantly mocks his lack of English skills. He brags excessively about his past and avoids paying rent.

Stefan is an older Guatemalan immigrant losing his eyesight to cataracts. He works menial cleaning jobs at the train station and shares a Miami apartment with Ramón.

Tomás is Stefan's younger brother. He works in Miami to support a family back home and remains largely indifferent to the roommate conflicts.

Charlene is a showroom girl at the department store where Wayne works. She becomes the target of Wayne's workplace flirting and eventual infidelity.

Harry is a local boy who stays close to Aurora, claiming to be like her brother. He is easily intimidated by Lucero and Cut, frequently asking them for drugs.

Eggie is a friend of Lucero who previously worked as Cut's gunboy. He sports a distinctive Afro and frequently gets into petty arguments while intoxicated.

Nelo is a neighborhood local who has extensive experience with the pretrial intervention program. He frequently engages in loud street disputes.