Frankie is an introverted sixteen-year-old girl living in Coalfield, Tennessee, who feels isolated from her peers. She occupies her quiet summer days watching VHS tapes and secretly drafting a subversive Nancy Drew-style novel. Lacking a social circle, she channels her feelings of disconnection into creative projects and careful observation of others.

Zeke is a skinny, somewhat awkward teenager who relocates from Memphis to Coalfield following his parents' marital issues. He is an aspiring comic-book artist who appreciates underground graffiti and subversive art. Recognizing Frankie as a kindred spirit, he proposes they spend their summer making something meaningful together rather than participating in typical teenage activities.

Following her divorce, Frankie's mother undergoes a positive transformation, abandoning her previously rigid demeanor for a more relaxed, free-spirited lifestyle. She works to provide a stable, non-judgmental environment while exploring her newfound independence. She remains highly protective of her daughter and supports her unconventional interests.

Mr. Avery is an elderly neighbor of the Budge family who initially appears as a quiet local resident. Unbeknownst to the neighborhood teenagers, he is a former Los Angeles performance artist with a deep appreciation for subversive creative expression. He becomes an unexpected confidant for Frankie.

Mazzy is a persistent journalist and art critic investigating the origins of the Coalfield Panic of 1996. Her research leads her directly to Frankie's doorstep decades after the events occurred. She is determined to document the truth behind the cultural phenomenon that swept the town.

Hobart is a writer for a local Coalfield newspaper who takes an active interest in documenting the town's unusual events. He spends significant time at the Budge household as he develops a relationship with Frankie's mother. He treats Frankie's creative pursuits with genuine respect and encourages her writing.

Cydney is Zeke's mother and a former Juilliard-trained violin prodigy. Following her husband's infidelity, she moves her son to her mother's house in Coalfield for the summer. She spends much of her time sequestered in her bedroom, dealing with the emotional fallout of her failing marriage.

Zeke's father resides in an affluent neighborhood in Memphis. His extramarital affair serves as the catalyst for his son's temporary relocation to Coalfield. He maintains a tense, volatile dynamic with Zeke, characterized by strict demands and a strong desire for control over his family's image.

Zeke's grandmother is a religious Coalfield resident who hosts her daughter and grandson during their family crisis. She attends a local Bible study where rumors about the town's strange posters first begin to circulate as a satanic panic.

Andrew is one of Frankie's triplet brothers. He and his brothers are outgoing, boisterous teenagers who work summer jobs at local fast-food restaurants. They represent the standard teenage experience in Coalfield, contrasting sharply with Frankie's introverted nature.

Frankie's father is entirely absent from the Budge household, having left his wife for another woman. He goes on to name his new daughter Frances, a decision that leaves his teenage daughter feeling easily replaceable and neglected.

Junie is Frankie's young daughter in the present-day timeline. She is energetic and musically inclined, often seen playing the drums at home. She serves as Frankie's anchor to her current adult life, representing the security her mother fights to protect.

Aaron is Frankie's husband and a professional dentist. He represents the secure, conventional adult life Frankie has built for herself away from her hometown. He is largely kept in the dark regarding the specific details of Frankie's teenage years.