An unnamed former temp worker who reluctantly accepts the silent, physically demanding role of the "Thin Kid" in a 1993 low-budget horror film. Having struggled with low self-esteem and childhood bullying, he finds unexpected comfort in the anonymity of his character's monstrous mask. In the present day, he remains heavily defined by his association with the infamous, unfinished movie and is approached to participate in a big-budget reboot thirty years later.

The screenwriter of the original 1990s production and a deeply creative young woman from Rhode Island. She bases much of the film's screenplay on her own teenage fears and experiences, including her strange discovery of a monster mask in an abandoned elementary school. While passionate about capturing real fear on camera, she also demonstrates a practical concern for the cast's physical safety during filming.

The ambitious, driven director of the original *Horror Movie*. Coming from a wealthy family that pressures her to pursue conventional commercial success, she rebels by pouring her energy into independent horror filmmaking. She is fiercely dedicated to her artistic vision, often prioritizing the raw realism of the movie over standard safety measures or the comfort of her actors.

A childhood friend of Cleo and Valentina from Rhode Island who wears multiple hats on the 1993 film set. He acts in the movie as a thinly veiled version of himself while also handling makeup and practical effects for the production. His on-screen persona directly mirrors his real-world anxieties, including an intense fear of his aggressive father.

A reclusive, critically acclaimed Canadian director hired by a major studio to helm the big-budget reboot of the unfinished 1993 film. She approaches the project with immense reverence for Valentina's original vision and insists on keeping Cleo's original script intact while adding new scenes to expand the story.

A Hollywood producer responsible for greenlighting the modern reboot of the cult classic film. He attempts to establish false rapport with the narrator by inventing a fake personal connection to the original crew, signaling his underlying focus on the commercial viability of the film's legends.

The director of photography for the original 1993 film. He acts as a rare voice of reason on set, frequently pushing back against Valentina's reckless decisions and advocating for the physical safety of the cast.

Karson's cousin, who works as his makeup and effects assistant on the original set. She spends time with Karson between scenes and partakes in the casual, sometimes callous atmosphere of the shoot.

A nonbinary makeup artist leading the Feral FX team for the modern film reboot. They are thrilled to examine the original prop mask and are tasked with creating a life cast of the narrator's upper body for the new production.

A young actor hired to play the teenage version of the Thin Kid in the modern film. The narrator views him with immediate skepticism and jealousy, doubting that the new actor will treat the physically and emotionally demanding role with the appropriate gravity.