Cyrus is a first-generation Iranian American and poet living in Indiana. He is recovering from severe alcoholism and drug addiction. Orphaned at a young age after his mother died in a plane bombing and his father passed away, he suffers from insomnia and a profound sense of cultural alienation. He works part-time as a medical actor and writes a book of poetry centered on historical and contemporary martyrs.

Roya is Cyrus's mother, a woman from Tehran whose reported death on a civilian flight shapes her son's lifelong trauma. Orkideh is a terminally ill, mononymous Iranian artist living in New York who chooses to spend her final days interacting with visitors in an exhibit called "DEATH SPEAK." Cyrus becomes fascinated by both figures as he seeks to understand the meaning of life, art, and his Iranian heritage.

Zee is Cyrus's best friend and romantic partner. He is of Polish and Egyptian descent, giving him a grounded perspective on the prejudices he occasionally faces in the United States. Zee is highly protective of Cyrus and actively discourages him from obsessing over death.

Ali is Cyrus's father, an Iranian immigrant who raises his son alone in the American Midwest. He works exhaustingly long hours at an industrial poultry farm and attempts to assimilate by embracing American pastimes like basketball. To manage his profound grief and isolation, he secretly drinks gin at night.

Arash is Roya's brother and a veteran of the brutal Iran-Iraq War. During the conflict, his designated military role involved riding across battlefields dressed as an angel to comfort dying soldiers. He suffers from severe post-traumatic stress disorder and receives government assistance.

Gabe is Cyrus's AA sponsor in Indiana. He provides blunt accountability for Cyrus's recovery process. As a white American, Gabe is highly critical of Cyrus's desire to find spiritual meaning through his Iranian heritage.

Sang Linh is a New York-based art gallerist and Orkideh's ex-wife. She is a practical and dedicated professional who helped launch Orkideh's artistic career. She supports Orkideh's controversial exhibition despite the risks.

Leila is the wife of Ali's friend Gilgamesh. She is a vibrant, rebellious woman living under the strict control of her husband in 1980s Tehran. Her carefree attitude deeply impacts Roya during a weekend stay.

Gilgamesh is a friend of Ali Shams in Tehran. He is a strict, authoritarian husband to Leila. His controlling behavior serves as a catalyst for the women in his life to seek moments of escape.

Sad James is an artist friend in Cyrus's social circle. He points Cyrus toward an article about the Brooklyn Museum exhibit, setting off the protagonist's journey to New York.

Kathleen is Cyrus's wealthy, conservative ex-girlfriend. She displays casual racism and a lack of cultural awareness, making inappropriate comments that highlight Cyrus's feelings of alienation.

Jude is a local man who hires Cyrus and Zee to perform manual labor in his backyard. He pays the young men cash, providing them with income during their periods of active substance use.

Manifesting as the famous cartoon character, Lisa Simpson appears in Cyrus's imaginary conversations. She represents a comforting figure from his childhood reading habits, offering philosophical counterpoints during his insomnia.

The famous professional basketball player appears as a recurring figure in Cyrus's mind. He symbolizes the American culture Cyrus and his father bonded over during his childhood.

Beethoven is an imaginary brother concocted by Cyrus. He represents Cyrus's early attempts to cope with his loneliness and to present a more normalized family life to outsiders.

The spirit of the 13th-century Sufi poet appears to Ali in a surreal sequence. Speaking modern English, this version of the poet offers cryptic wisdom about the inescapable nature of martyrdom.

A snide caricature of a political figure appearing in Cyrus's dreams. He embodies vanity and a shallow appreciation for fame, serving as a psychological mirror for Cyrus's own fears.