Ed is a 19-year-old, underachieving cab driver living in an impoverished, working-class suburb of Sydney. He views himself as a complete failure with no real prospects, heavily burdened by self-doubt and the recent death of his father. Following a sudden act of courage, he begins receiving cryptic playing cards in the mail that direct him to intervene in the lives of strangers. He is deeply compassionate but often overwhelmed by the dangerous tasks he feels compelled to complete.

Audrey is a 19-year-old friend of Ed's who works alongside him at the cab company. She struggles heavily with emotional intimacy due to a painful domestic history, which makes her refuse to fall in love. She values her platonic connection with Ed deeply and relies on him for safety, maintaining a boundary that frustrates his romantic hopes.

Brash, argumentative, and highly miserly, Marv is Ed's closest friend. He refuses to spend money on a new vehicle despite accumulating a large amount of savings, driving a broken-down Ford Falcon that constantly draws ridicule. Beneath his abrasive, sarcastic exterior, he carries the heavy burden of a past relationship that ended abruptly.

Universally called "Ritchie" by his friends due to a tattoo of Jimi Hendrix that looks like Richard Pryor, Dave is an unemployed young man drifting aimlessly through life. He spends his days placing bets at the pub and his nights sitting awake listening to the radio. He relies heavily on humor and nonchalance to mask his profound lack of direction.

Ed's mother is a bitter, hypercritical woman who directs immense anger toward her son. She openly resents the impoverished town she lives in and blames her late husband for failing to provide a better life. She treats her other, more successful children cordially but unleashes constant verbal abuse on Ed because he reminds her of his father.

Ed's younger brother, who is studying to become a lawyer. Tommy represents the traditional success and ambition that Ed feels he lacks, making him a frequent point of comparison by their mother.

An 82-year-old woman suffering from profound loneliness. She has spent sixty years waiting for her husband, Jimmy, to return from World War II. When Ed arrives, she mistakes him for Jimmy, and he plays along to provide her comfort.

A shy teenager living in a wealthy neighborhood who trains extensively for track meets. While she practices barefoot, she competes in battered shoes, which continually causes her to lose races.

An incompetent criminal whose botched getaway forces Ed into an unexpected act of heroism. Following his arrest, he threatens Ed directly, promising revenge.

A violent enforcer hired by an unknown employer to ensure Ed completes his tasks as the messenger. He relies on physical intimidation to convey instructions.

The second half of the enforcer duo sent to monitor Ed's progress. He helps deliver the playing cards and emphasizes their employer's threats through force.

A down-to-earth priest who swears casually and chooses to live in a rough neighborhood to help broken people. His church suffers from dwindling attendance until Ed organizes an unconventional event to draw a crowd.

The priest's estranged brother who lives in a wealthier part of town. He feels disconnected from Thomas but harbors a desire to mend the relationship.

A weary single mother of three who regularly buys her children ice cream while sacrificing her own needs. She loves her kids but quietly wishes for moments of freedom.

A troubled, sneering teenager who constantly engages in brutal fistfights with his older brother, Daniel. Ed views him as a bully in desperate need of an intervention to fix his family dynamic.

Gavin's older brother, who responds to his sibling's bad behavior with physical violence. The brothers' toxic dynamic escalates until Ed forces them to rely on each other.

The patriarch of a loving Polynesian family struggling with financial strain in their new neighborhood. He is welcoming to Ed despite never having met him before.

Lua's wife and the mother of five children. She ensures her family remains tightly knit and joyful even when facing economic hardship.

One of the Tatupu boys, whose radiant smile and excitement over a simple gift profoundly impacts Ed.

An elderly man who bought a cinema after retiring. He operates the theater despite having virtually no customers, maintaining a connection to the joyful days of his youth.

A young woman from Marv's past who relocated suddenly due to familial shame. Her absence left a lasting scar on Marv, dictating much of his current behavior and his fierce need to save money.

Suzanne's strict father, who forced his family to relocate out of a sense of shame. He remains highly aggressive toward Marv.

Audrey's current boyfriend, who also works as a cab driver. Despite dating Audrey, he possesses clear insight into her true feelings and the undeniable bond she shares with Ed.