Chapman is a 14-year-old boy living in Au Sable, New York, who frequently clashes with his mother and stepfather. Harboring unspoken trauma from his unstable home life, he turns to petty theft and drug use as coping mechanisms. He sports a mohawk and nose rings, projecting a rebellious exterior that masks his vulnerability and deep desire for genuine connection.

Ken is a man originally from Ontario who presents a respectable front to his wife while secretly subjecting his stepson to severe sexual abuse. This hidden predatory behavior creates a highly toxic home environment. He uses his position of authority in the household to enforce silence and drive his stepson away.

Working at a local medical clinic, she struggles to maintain a stable household while dealing with her son's escalating rebellion. She expects conformity and obedience, remaining entirely blind to the abuse her husband inflicts under her roof. Her inability to see the root causes of the family's distress pushes her son further away.

Russ is a 16-year-old teenager who lives a chaotic, unsupervised life alongside a group of bikers. He works occasionally at a video store below the apartment and views petty crime as a viable survival strategy. Confident and highly opportunistic, he provides a place to crash, though his self-interest often dictates his loyalty.

I-Man is a middle-aged Jamaican migrant farmer who abandoned harsh agricultural work to live off the land. A devout follower of Rastafarianism, he adheres to a strict vegetarian diet, grows his own crops, and carries a carved walking stick. He offers a highly non-judgmental presence to the youths who cross his path.

Paul, often referred to as "Doc," is Chappie's biological father who abandoned the family years ago. He once faked military credentials to secure a medical job. He currently resides in Jamaica, living a comfortable lifestyle funded by illicit activities while maintaining a charming exterior.

Bruce is a weightlifter and the intelligent, imposing leader of the Adirondack Iron biker gang. He oversees a rough household involving drugs and stolen property. Despite his criminal lifestyle and racist ideology, he maintains a strict code of order within the apartment.

Joker is a volatile member of the biker gang living above the video store. He collects firearms and frequently uses them to threaten others, keeping the younger boys on edge with his unpredictable temper.

Roundhouse is a member of the Adirondack Iron biker gang. Unlike his more threatening peers, he is generally viewed as harmless by the younger residents, participating in the gang's illicit activities without displaying the same level of malice.

Wanda owns the building where the bikers live and operates the video store on the ground floor. She struggles with alcoholism, which the boys occasionally try to use to their advantage. She remains sharp enough to threaten them with police action when pushed too far.

Bart works security at the Champlain Mall in Plattsburgh. While he projects an image of authority by catching shoplifters, he secretly purchases drugs from local youths and turns a blind eye to larger criminal operations.

Buster Brown is an older, fast-talking man who frequents the local mall. He claims to be managing a young acting protégé, but his true nature is highly predatory. He uses free meals and false promises of screen tests to lure vulnerable youths into isolated situations.

Froggy is a vulnerable young girl caught in a dangerous dynamic with an older man. She appears unkempt and lethargic when first spotted at the mall food court. Her helpless state triggers a strong protective response from other social outcasts.

Richard is a homeless young man who lives with his brother in an abandoned school bus. He survives by stealing groceries and trading goods, exhibiting a severe lack of motivation that serves as a cautionary example for the younger runaways.

James is Richard's brother and fellow occupant of the school bus camp. He brings local news back to their isolated dwelling and participates in minor transactions with other homeless individuals to secure resources.

Chappie's grandmother lives alone in an apartment and craves constant attention. She tends to center conversations entirely around herself, resulting in a highly sarcastic dynamic with her grandson. She serves as a vital link to the family's past, holding key information about absent relatives.

Evening Star is a wealthy, sexually liberated white woman living in a massive Jamaican mansion. She embraces the local culture aesthetically while hosting constant gatherings for tourists. Her lifestyle focuses entirely on pleasure and entertainment, showing zero concern for the consequences of the illicit activities on her property.

Jason is one of the young Jamaican men who frequent Evening Star's property. He participates in the local drug trade and operates on the fringes of the wealthy tourists' social circles, carrying out errands that occasionally involve procuring weapons.

Captain Ave runs a tourist cruiser out of Jamaica. He frequently deals with dissatisfied customers who find his boat lacking, prompting him to constantly seek out temporary crew members to help placate his frustrated passengers through cooking and service.