Frances is a 65-year-old widow and Manhattan socialite known for her icy demeanor and history of scandalous behavior. After her financial advisor informs her that her vast wealth is entirely gone, she decides to liquidate her remaining assets and move to Paris. She frequently uses her signature gold lighter to assert authority and maintains a strict emotional distance from most people, preferring transactional interactions.

Malcolm is Frances's 32-year-old son, who remains entirely dependent on his mother and lives in her massive New York apartment. Described as broody and unkempt, he actively avoids conflict and tries to remain insulated from adult responsibilities. His passivity affects all his relationships, causing him to hide from uncomfortable truths rather than face them.

Small Frank is the family's aging cat, who is possessed by the spirit of Frances's deceased husband, Franklin Price. In life, Franklin was a famously ruthless and wealthy lawyer who defended indefensible clients and intimidated those around him. In his current feline form, he experiences a frustrating lack of power and control.

Mme Reynard is an American expatriate living in Paris who lost her French husband. Lonely but highly proactive, she boldly invites the infamous Frances to dinner despite never having met her. She is disarmingly honest and vulnerable, often ignoring Frances's initial rudeness in her quest for genuine friendship.

Susan is Malcolm's patient but frustrated fiancée. She struggles to build a serious life with Malcolm because of his complete enmeshment with his mother. Despite breaking off their engagement due to his passivity and Frances's open hostility, she remains deeply conflicted by her lingering love for him.

Joan is Frances's oldest and closest friend, having known her since they attended summer camp together as girls. Though she belongs to the new money circles rather than Frances's old-money society, she is the only person who can evoke true warmth and vulnerability from Frances. She offers the use of her Paris apartment when Frances goes bankrupt.

Madeleine is a psychic medium who meets Malcolm during the cruise to France. She possesses the supernatural ability to see a green aura around people, which gives her insight into their spiritual states. She is somewhat socially awkward but highly perceptive.

Mr. Baker is the Price family's financial advisor. He deeply admired Franklin Price when he was alive but is exasperated by Frances's complete disregard for money management. He acts as the catalyst for the plot by informing Frances that her wealth has completely drained away.

Tom is Susan's previous, and later renewed, fiancé. He is described as a handsome and decidedly conventional man who offers Susan the stability that Malcolm cannot. He travels to Paris with Susan but quickly finds himself caught in the strange dynamic of Frances's social circle.

Julius is a Parisian private investigator hired by Frances and Malcolm to track down Madeleine the medium. Though initially doubtful about his ability to find someone using only a first name, he eventually joins the eccentric group of people congregating in Frances's apartment.