Germaine is a middle-aged, working-class housewife living in Montreal. She proudly commands the attention of her peers after winning a massive sweepstakes, throwing a spontaneous pasting party to organize her new wealth into redemption booklets. Bound by societal expectations and her own vanity, she uses the gathering to boast about the items she plans to buy. Her desire to appear superior blinds her to the deep jealousy brewing among her guests.

Rose is Germaine’s loud and irreverent sister. She uses harsh humor to mask deep frustrations regarding her unhappy marriage and the physical demands of her husband. Although she complains bitterly about traditional family life, she strictly enforces Catholic social rules and harshly judges younger women. She secretly spends money on contest stamps in hopes of escaping her exhausting reality.

Gabrielle is another of Germaine's sisters. She is slightly more tactful than Rose, making her the sibling Germaine is most likely to confide in. She expresses particular resentment toward her college-educated son, believing his schooling has made him pretentious and alien to their lifestyle. Her complaints reflect a stubborn desire for her family to stay within their familiar working-class station.

Pierrette is Germaine's youngest sister, universally ostracized by the family for working at a nightclub. Despite her reputation as a fallen woman, she possesses a genuine kindness and loyalty absent in her socially acceptable siblings. She is the frequent subject of the other women's malicious gossip, though her actual presence challenges their hypocritical assumptions.

Linda is Germaine’s twenty-year-old daughter who still lives at home. She frequently clashes with her overbearing mother regarding her dating life, her boyfriend Robert, and her social habits. Despite her rebellious streak and modern outlook on restaurants and outings, she remains heavily influenced by the conservative values instilled by her family. She longs for independence but fears the social consequences of stepping outside acceptable boundaries.

Lisette is a neighbor who attempts to project an upper-class, sophisticated image. She constantly references her worldly travels and expensive furs, looking down on the crude behavior of the other attendees. Her affected mannerisms alienate the rest of the group, leading to frequent clashes with the more outspoken guests who suspect her wealth is entirely fabricated through debt.

Marie-Ange is Germaine's direct neighbor and a fiercely bitter housewife. Married to an unemployed man, she struggles daily with poverty and resents any display of wealth from her peers. She firmly believes she works harder than Germaine and deserves the prize more, bringing a hostile, cynical energy to the gathering from the moment she arrives.

Yvette is an enthusiastic neighbor who eagerly seeks a connection to luxury and success. She endlessly recounts the details of her daughter's extravagant wedding and her son-in-law's vacation, clinging to these events as if they were her own accomplishments. She is captivated by the idea of winning and constantly asks the other women about their contest entries.

Des-Neiges is an unmarried woman who frequently faces teasing from the married housewives. She harbors a quiet desperation for companionship and romanticizes the monthly visits of a traveling salesman. Her intense fear of living out her life alone drives her to seek validation, making her an easy target for the group's sharp tongues.

Thérèse is Germaine’s sister-in-law and the reluctant, full-time caretaker of an elderly relative. She presents herself as a selfless martyr to the other women while actively resenting her exhausting obligations. Behind her facade of devoted duty, she exhibits cruel and violently abusive behavior toward the disabled woman in her charge.

Olivine is Thérèse’s 93-year-old mother-in-law. Living with advanced dementia, she spends her time in a wheelchair and rarely speaks beyond repeating isolated words. She represents the bleak future the other women fear, existing entirely at the mercy of younger relatives who view her strictly as a burden.

Angéline is a woman in her late fifties who projects a timid and intensely pious image. She worries deeply about spiritual purity and the terrifying prospect of dying without confession. Beneath this traditional exterior, she harbors a controversial social secret that threatens her standing with her strict, conservative companions.

Rhéauna is Angéline's closest companion and a fiercely judgmental adherent to Catholic doctrine. She prides herself on her moral superiority and actively shames anyone who falls short of her strict standards. Her rigidity makes her quick to issue ultimatums and cut ties with those she deems inappropriate or sinful.

Ginette is one of Linda’s youthful friends. She bridges the gap between modern teenage rebellion and the conservative attitudes of the older generation. Coming from a tense household where she feels inferior to her sister, she occasionally parrots the older women's harsh judgments regarding social propriety despite her young age.

Lise is a young, working-class woman facing a terrifying personal crisis. Abandoned by a manipulative man, she carries a secret that threatens her reputation and future financial independence. Desperate to maintain control over her own life, she seeks unconventional advice and is willing to defy social and religious norms to protect herself.