Nadia is an independent young woman living alone in an unnamed Middle Eastern city on the brink of war. Estranged from her conservative family, she rides a motorcycle and wears a full-length black robe to deter unwanted attention rather than out of religious devotion. She adapts quickly to changing environments and approaches challenges with a practical mindset.

Saeed is a mild-mannered advertising agency employee. He is deeply attached to his family and holds traditional beliefs regarding courtship and religion. As his city becomes dangerous, his conservative instincts provide him with a sense of stability and connection to his roots.

Saeed's mother is a forceful former schoolteacher, and his father is a gentle professor. They share a loving marriage despite their differing temperaments. They provide a stable home for Saeed and extend immense hospitality, forming a close bond with Nadia as the city becomes increasingly unsafe.

She is a volunteer worker stationed at a crowded refugee camp in Mykonos. She assists migrants with medical needs and provides crucial guidance to those seeking further passage, offering a moment of genuine connection in a chaotic environment.

The daughter of a local religious leader, she is of half-Middle Eastern and half-African American descent. She bridges traditional faith with progressive civic engagement by participating in modern social activism alongside her church activities.

A local musician in the unnamed city. He maintains a casual, uncommitted relationship with Nadia before the encroaching war prompts a shift in her personal life.

A mysterious figure operating in the war-torn city. He claims to have access to magical, hidden doors that transport citizens to safer, distant locations. He charges a premium for his smuggling services.

A white culinary worker living in the California Bay Area. She is embedded in the local cooperative food scene and participates in the vibrant, forward-thinking culture of the region.

A religiously observant woman who owns the building where Nadia rents a top-floor apartment. Her conservative views force Nadia to employ subterfuge when hosting male guests.

An African American religious leader who presides over a church group in a largely migrant-populated California community. He fosters a supportive environment for arriving refugees seeking connection.

The manager at the advertising agency where Saeed works. He is visibly distracted by the deteriorating security situation in the city, barely noticing the quality of the work presented to him.

A member of Nadia's estranged traditional family. His presence in the city serves as a reminder of the conservative background Nadia has actively chosen to leave behind.

An extended family member of Saeed who also moves through the global refugee network. He serves as a crucial link to the homeland, sharing updates about extended relatives across borders.

A peripheral figure in the unnamed city's underground economy. He supplies contraband to locals, reflecting the hidden subcultures operating under strict societal rules.

An elderly traveler who emerges from a magical door in a garden shed. He bridges cultural divides by initiating a friendly connection with the home's resident.

An elderly resident of Amsterdam. He initially harbors suspicions about the magical door in his shed, but eventually embraces the interpersonal connection it brings.

An elderly, non-verbal domestic worker in Morocco. Despite the flight of her former wealthy employers and the changing world around her, she stoically refuses to leave her familiar surroundings.

The concerned child of the elderly maid. She desperately attempts to convince her aging mother to emigrate and join her in a safer environment.