Maryse is a 25-year-old monster hunter living in 1920s Georgia. She wields a magical, leaf-shaped sword that sings and appears when she feels intense anger or danger. She relies heavily on a book of Black folklore given to her by her deceased brother to survive overwhelming threats. Despite finding a supportive community of fighters, she carries deep psychological wounds from the night her family was killed.

Butcher Clyde is a terrifying antagonist with pale skin and blood-red hair, with multiple mouths shifting across his body. He operates a butcher shop catering exclusively to racist white people, feeding them unnatural meat that transforms them into monsters. He views humanity strictly as meat and attempts to manipulate Maryse into abandoning her resistance.

The Grand Cyclops is a colossal, otherworldly entity that consumes hatred. She possesses a horrifying body constructed from the flesh of those who consumed her meat. She exists initially as an infectious presence in the world before manifesting physically to threaten humanity.

Sadie is a resistance fighter from Alabama known for her sharp shooting skills with a rifle she names Winnie. She frequently wears overalls and uses humor as a defense mechanism. Following her mother's abandonment, her grandfather raised her on traditional folktales before he was murdered by the Klan.

Cordelia is a World War I veteran who earned her nickname by manufacturing bombs for the French military. She struggles to adjust to life in the United States after experiencing equality abroad. As a highly skilled sharpshooter and disciplined fighter, she provides a serious counterbalance to her more impulsive friends.

Nana Jean is the founder of the resistance community and a powerful Gullah woman with gold-brown eyes. She speaks exclusively in Gullah and channels protective magic through traditional movement and song. She brews potions like Mama's Water and experiences prophetic visions that warn the fighters of impending danger.

Jadine, Margaret, and Ondine are three entities from another universe who mask their true nature by appearing as well-dressed, churchgoing Black women. They possess unsettling features, including foxlike teeth and faces that appear stitched from brown skin. They gifted Maryse her magical sword and can perceive multiple timelines.

The Night Doctors are mythical, towering figures constructed of skin draped over bone, completely lacking eyes and mouths. They treat human hatred and misery as prized delicacies, consuming the emotional pain of marginalized communities. They operate strictly on transactional terms and force those who seek their help to confront intense suffering.

Emma is a small, bespectacled German widow of Jewish descent working as an amateur folklorist. She believes in the interconnected struggles of oppressed people and dedicates her time to recording traditional songs and stories. Her transcription work preserves the history and magical lore of the community.

Martin is Maryse's deceased older brother who died in a Klan attack after successfully hiding her in a secret floorboard hatch. He continues to influence his sister's survival through the folklore book he left behind. His memory serves as a tactical guide, reminding Maryse to employ trickster logic against stronger enemies.

Frenchy is a tall, handsome man originally from the Caribbean island nation of St. Lucia. He operates a vibrant juke joint that functions as a crucial social hub for the local Black community. He shares stories of his extensive travels, offering Maryse a vision of life beyond her consuming fight against monsters.

Molly operates as the resident scientist for the resistance fighters. She uses medical dissection to study the monsters, determining that their condition functions as a hate-fueled infection. Her scientific analysis provides the fighters with crucial intelligence about their enemies' physical evolution.

Dr. Bisset is a human researcher who investigated Black folklore and verified the existence of mythical beings. He surrendered his eyes as a price to live among these entities and study their consumption of human misery. He functions as an intermediary for humans attempting to negotiate in this dangerous environment.

The Shouters are a collective group of Black performers who utilize traditional rhythmic movement and singing to generate magic. They act as the voice of the farm community, channeling shared sorrow and resilience into tangible power to protect their people.

The Ku Kluxes are monstrous creatures conjured from humans infected by intense white supremacist hatred. They conceal their grotesque true forms beneath traditional Klan robes, appearing normal to the uninitiated. They serve as aggressive, easily manipulated foot soldiers for more powerful otherworldly entities.

Uncle Will is an elder and formerly enslaved man whose stories form the foundation of the folkloric records. He passes down the history of how enslaved people utilized secret music to subvert their oppressors. His knowledge preserves the cultural memory of his community.

Henrietta is an interviewee who shares her understanding of historical songs with researchers. She emphasizes the profound philosophical thoughts embedded in the music of enslaved people, ensuring their intellectual legacy is not forgotten.

Susannah is a formerly enslaved woman who recounts historical songs for preservation. She extracts moral lessons from these traditions, warning listeners against entanglement with evil forces.