David is a young American expatriate living in France, running from his past and his internal panic regarding his sexuality. Described vaguely as a tall, blond man approaching thirty, he constantly seeks to project traditional masculine ideals while secretly exploring his attraction to men. His intense fear of social persecution causes him to maintain a strict facade of heterosexuality, leading to a profound sense of isolation. He depends on alcohol and transient relationships to avoid confronting his true identity.

Giovanni is a young, handsome, and charismatic Italian immigrant working in Paris. Despite his outward bravado and passionate demeanor, he harbors a deep, hidden grief from his past in Italy. He lives in a small, disorganized maid's room on the outskirts of Paris that visually reflects his internal turmoil. He accepts his fluid sexuality openly and longs for a genuine connection, viewing David as a stabilizing force in his chaotic life.

Hella is an intelligent, well-read American expatriate exploring Europe. While she initially presents herself as an independent, modern woman who enjoys casually drinking and observing men, she harbors a deep desire for a committed relationship and a family. She views marriage as a practical necessity to secure her identity and place in the world.

Guillaume is the wealthy owner of a Parisian gay bar and comes from one of the oldest, most respected families in France. He uses his wealth, social status, and ability to provide working papers to exploit young, vulnerable men in the city. Flamboyant and theatrical, he demands respect and submission, reacting with vindictive anger when he feels embarrassed or rejected by the younger men he pursues.

Jacques is a wealthy, older Belgian-American businessman living in Paris. He frequents the city's queer community, frequently using his money to seek the company of younger men to stave off his intense loneliness. He sees entirely through David's performative distance from the gay community and often exaggerates his own feminine mannerisms specifically to annoy David and challenge his hypocrisy.

David's father is a widower who copes with the grief of his wife's death by drinking heavily and dating numerous women. He attempts to act more like a friendly companion than a traditional authority figure to his son, hoping to bond over shared masculinity. He uses his financial leverage to pressure his son to return to America and settle down.

Sue is an acquaintance of David living in Paris. She is a lonely, hesitant woman who has experienced being used by men in the past, making her naturally distrustful of sudden advances. She provides a practical, physical presence that David uses to test his own internal desires.

Joey is David's childhood best friend in Brooklyn. Described as quick and dark-haired, he is a typical teenage boy who enjoys playful banter and sneaking drinks. He serves as the catalyst for David's lifelong internal panic regarding his sexuality after an unexpected weekend of intimacy.

Aunt Ellen is David's unmarried, deceased aunt who lived with the family following the death of David's mother. She is a rigid, traditional woman who disapproves of her brother's drinking and womanizing, fearing it will negatively influence David's development into a proper man.