Harper is the 12-year-old youngest daughter of the Flynn family. A prodigy who taught herself multiple languages after her father casually suggested she learn Latin, she stops attending her eighth-grade classes because she finds the educational system restrictive and dull. She possesses a highly observant nature. She discovers hidden spy cameras in the town square's cedar balls and notices strange discrepancies in her father's work spreadsheets.

Abigail is the 17-year-old eldest Flynn daughter. She relies heavily on her physical appearance to validate her self-worth, an attitude reinforced by her mother's own fear of aging. Outwardly rebellious, she dates older men and ignores parental rules, but she secretly checks on her vulnerable family members at night to ensure they are safe.

Louise is the 15-year-old middle daughter of the Flynn family. She feels entirely invisible compared to her exceptional sisters, believing her only distinguishing characteristic is a slight speech impediment that surfaces when she is anxious. Desperate for attention and a sense of belonging, she enters the local church's Inner Beauty Pageant and seeks validation from a mysterious online relationship.

Bud is the patriarch of the Flynn family and an employee of a powerful shipping magnate. He lives in the family minivan because he refuses to participate in the open marriage his wife initiated, though he cannot afford to move out. Apathetic and defeated, he mechanically processes work spreadsheets without questioning their contents until his youngest daughter points out strange patterns in the data.

Catherine is Bud's wife and the mother of the three Flynn girls. A former photography student who gave up her artistic aspirations for suburban domesticity, she fears the aging process and feels suffocated by her routine life. Instead of having a secret affair, she initiates an open marriage as a perceived moral loophole, hoping to find emotional fulfillment elsewhere.

Paul Alabaster is a billionaire shipping magnate and real estate heir who employs Bud Flynn. He uses his extreme wealth and influence to operate with impunity, hosting exclusive and secretive parties at his heavily guarded mansion. He views human relationships in strictly transactional terms and expects absolute loyalty and discretion from his employees.

Father Andrew is the priest at Our Lady of Suffering. Despite his ordained position, he views his female parishioners with latent sexism and lacks self-awareness regarding his own moral shortcomings. He became a priest to atone for a tragic accident during his youth, but he now leverages his position to offer spiritual consultancy to wealthy, powerful men.

Wes is a 22-year-old former special contract mercenary who works security at Alabaster Manor. He grew up on a wheat farm where he endured physical abuse from his father, leaving him with an autoimmune disorder that targets his bowels. Despite his imposing background and rumors that he is a warlord, he treats Abigail with gentleness and genuine concern for her safety.

Jim Doherty is the Flynns' wealthy neighbor and a local pub owner. He initiates a connection with Catherine by showing her his amateur ceramics and validating her identity as an artist. He harbors deeply chauvinistic views toward women, which he freely expresses and models for his son.

Miss Winkle is a church volunteer who leads the "Lost Lambs Christian Guidance" support group. She feels lonely and unappreciated in her daily life, leading her to seek comfort in a romantic connection with Bud Flynn after he joins her group.

Tibet is Abigail's best friend. She possesses a deep interest in internet conspiracy theories and uses online forums to research the strange occurrences in their town. She is fiercely loyal to Abigail and actively works to keep her friend away from dangerous situations.

Yourstruly is Louise's Canadian internet boyfriend, whom she met in an online chat room for middle children. He provides Louise with the undivided attention she craves, using religious rhetoric to validate her worth while secretly manipulating her into procuring dangerous chemical ingredients.

Remy is a strikingly beautiful local contractor hired by Catherine from a community bulletin board. She possesses a bohemian perspective on life and motherhood, offering Catherine a sense of validation and unexpected romance when they spend an afternoon together.

Perry is Miss Winkle's daughter. She accompanies her mother to the Lost Lambs meetings and occasionally participates in local events. She harbors intense anxieties about the church's fumigation and the broader state of their town.

Marshall is Wes's roommate and friend. He provides practical support to Wes and possesses a cache of weapons that he keeps hidden behind a wall panel in their apartment.

Dolt is a smarmy man in a suit who attends Paul Alabaster's exclusive parties. He claims to be a physician and a philanthropist, though he uses a pseudonym and behaves aggressively toward young female guests.

Myles is Jim Doherty's son. He has absorbed his father's overt sexism, viewing women and girls as inferior. He plays violent games on his tablet to pass the time but experiences a quiet bewilderment when observing genuine warmth and love in other families.

Allen is Bud's supervisor at the shipping company. He notices Bud's declining work performance and forces him to select a self-help program. He is highly invested in maintaining the corporate status quo and warns Bud against looking too closely at company irregularities.

Caleb is a teenage boy from a brother school who visits his grandmother at the retirement center where Louise performs community service. He praises Louise for her protest at the beauty pageant, instantly winning her intense affection.