Cristian is a 17-year-old student living in Bucharest under the oppressive regime of Nicolae Ceauşescu. He secretly writes poetry and philosophy in a hidden notebook in his makeshift closet bedroom, yearning for access to western culture. Coerced by the secret police into becoming an informer, he struggles with intense guilt over keeping this dangerous secret from his family.

Cristian’s grandfather is an outspoken critic of the communist regime who refuses to speak in the terrified whispers adopted by the rest of the family. He reportedly suffers from leukemia, prompting Cristian's desperate deal with the secret police to secure medication. He acts as the family patriarch and encourages Cristian to pursue independent thought despite the immense danger.

Liliana is a quiet, thoughtful classmate of Cristian's who lives in the apartment building across from his. She stands apart from the typical high school crowds, sharing Cristian's secret curiosity about life outside of Romania. Her family's precarious social standing creates tension, but she frequently meets with Cristian in their apartment stairwell to share rare moments of teenage normalcy.

Luca is Cristian’s sweet-natured, intelligent best friend who hopes to eventually become a doctor. He serves as a peacemaker among their peers and shares Cristian's quiet disdain for the totalitarian state. The pervasive culture of government surveillance frequently strains their bond, as citizens are conditioned to suspect even their closest confidants.

Cici is Cristian’s resourceful older sister who works as a seamstress. She acts as a maternal figure to her brother, offering him practical advice and sewing warm clothes for him to endure the freezing Bucharest winters. She participates in the illicit market to secure goods for their household, showing a practical approach to surviving the harsh economic conditions.

Gabriel and his wife struggle to keep their family safe under the watchful eye of the communist regime. The mother works as a housekeeper for an American diplomat family and maintains a strict posture of fear, constantly demanding her family speak in whispers to avoid government listening devices. Gabriel is a remarkably quiet man who rarely voices his opinions, keeping his head down to avoid drawing the attention of the secret police.

Dan is the teenage son of the United States diplomats employing Cristian's mother. He lives in a well-heated apartment filled with unimaginable luxuries like color television and imported snacks. He possesses a cavalier attitude toward the Romanian government's surveillance, freely criticizing the regime in ways that terrify the local citizens.

Starfish is an older neighborhood teenager known for his daring possession of Western contraband. He blatantly defies cultural expectations by wearing American clothing and operating an underground network to screen illegal American movies. His access to foreign goods and information makes him a valuable but potentially dangerous connection for those looking to understand the outside world.

"Paddle Hands" is the nickname Cristian assigns to his handler in the Securitate. He operates with cold efficiency, leveraging threats against Cristian's family and promises of black-market medicine to force the teenager into espionage. He demands floor plans, signed statements, and constant updates about the American diplomats living in Bucharest.

Mr. Van Dorn is an American diplomat stationed in Romania. He possesses access to Western news, unmonitored communication, and the American Library, making him a figure of immense strategic importance to citizens desperate to smuggle information out of the country.

Alex is Liliana's older brother who lives in the neighboring apartment building. He shares his sister's quiet resilience and works to support their family after his father faces employment retaliation from the state.

Mr. Pavel is Liliana and Alex's father, who manages a local grocery supply. His position affords him rare access to black-market items, though it also places him under intense scrutiny from the secret police.