Sydney is a 29-year-old graphic designer and bartender at the Black Box. She possesses a deep passion for the 1990s, frequently wearing vintage clothing and consuming media from the decade. She guards her emotions carefully, preferring casual dating over committed relationships due to the traumatic loss of her best friend 22 years ago.

Oliver is a 30-year-old man who recently returns to his hometown after spending 22 years held captive in an underground cell. He struggles to adjust to modern technology, societal norms, and the sensory overload of the outside world. Despite his prolonged isolation, he remains deeply observant, gentle, and eager to pursue a life outside confinement.

Also known as Bradford, he is a reclusive man living in an isolated farmhouse. He abducts six-year-old Oliver and keeps him in an underground cell for over two decades. He provides his captive with books, television, and art supplies while enforcing the lie of a nuclear apocalypse.

Clementine is Sydney's 32-year-old sister. She is currently enduring a divorce from her husband after discovering his infidelity. She acts playful and outgoing, frequently engaging in humorous banter, but she demonstrates fierce protectiveness when it comes to her young daughter.

Gabe is Oliver's stepbrother and Sydney's lifelong neighbor. He lives in his childhood home and maintains a highly active social life, favoring casual encounters over serious relationships. He feels a heavy responsibility toward Oliver, though he sometimes treats his stepbrother as overly fragile.

Travis is Gabe's father and Oliver's stepfather. A successful restaurant manager, he travels often for work but maintains a steady presence in his family's life. Following Oliver's return, he attempts to provide the younger man with financial assistance and housing options.

Lorna is an older, deeply religious woman who lives in Sydney's neighborhood. She frequently criticizes Sydney's lifestyle, clothing choices, and perceived lack of decorum. Despite her sharp tongue, she pays close attention to the well-being of the neighborhood.

Tabitha is a local woman who survived a harrowing abduction by a serial killer in the past. She reaches out to Oliver to offer solidarity, understanding the unique challenges of reentering normal society after enduring a traumatic event.

Edgar is Lorna's deceased husband. During the late 1990s, he regularly took pictures of the local children playing outdoors. Sydney recalls him having an unsavory demeanor.

Charlene is Oliver's mother. She passed away from lung cancer ten years prior to Oliver's rescue. During her life, she held onto the hope that her missing son would eventually be found.

Poppy is Clementine's young daughter. She spends time visiting Sydney's house and occasionally repeats mature language she hears from adults or media.

Brant is a bartender who works with Sydney. He adopts a flirtatious persona with male customers to increase his tips, but he harbors genuine romantic interest in Sydney.

Athena is a wild raccoon that Oliver discovers injured near his house. He decides to nurse the animal back to health, seeing similarities between the raccoon and his own vulnerable state.

Alexis is Sydney's beloved pet cat. She provides comfort to Sydney and quickly takes a liking to Oliver when he visits.