Francis is a middle-aged commuter and father of four living in the affluent suburban enclave of Shady Hill. He recently survived a harrowing plane crash that his community refuses to acknowledge. This brush with death leaves him profoundly disconnected from his daily routine. Desperate for authentic feeling, he develops an intense infatuation with his children's new babysitter.

Julia is a 1950s suburban housewife entirely committed to maintaining her family's social standing. She orchestrates Christmas card photoshoots and manages the busy household. She also works tirelessly to secure invitations to the correct neighborhood parties. She places a high value on appearances, causing friction when Francis begins behaving erratically.

Anne is a beautiful young student who works as the new babysitter for the Weed family. She lives with an alcoholic, abusive father, a vulnerability that immediately attracts Francis's attention. She represents passion and a life outside the rigid expectations of suburban Shady Hill.

Clayton is a college-aged man living in Shady Hill. He lost his father in World War II, making his family the only one in the neighborhood lacking a traditional patriarch. This outsider status allows him to openly criticize the artificiality of suburban life, prompting his plan to escape the community entirely.

Toby is one of Francis and Julia's four children. He engages in typical childhood play, such as dressing up in a makeshift space suit consisting of tights and a cape to jump off his bed. He remains oblivious to the adult tensions brewing in his household.

Jupiter is a high-spirited retriever who roams freely through Shady Hill. He completely ignores the strict social codes of the community. He ransacks garbage pails, breaks up tennis matches, and steals slippers, much to the annoyance of the residents.

A young French woman working as a domestic servant for the Farquarson family. Francis recognizes her from his time in newly liberated France, where he witnessed her being publicly humiliated for associating with a German officer.

Mrs. Wrightson is a resident of Shady Hill who embodies the neighborhood's focus on superficial matters. She chatters endlessly about her drapes, prompting an unusually rude outburst from the mentally strained Francis.

Gertrude is a neighborhood girl described as a stray who wanders around Shady Hill. She accidentally witnesses Francis impulsively kissing Anne in the hallway, making her a sudden liability to Francis's reputation.

Trace is one of Francis's neighbors and commuting companions. When Francis attempts to describe his harrowing plane crash, the comfortable atmosphere of the train and Trace's polite demeanor make it impossible for Francis to convey the true terror of the experience.

He is the alcoholic and abusive parent of Anne Murchison. His behavior frequently drives his daughter to tears and forces her to seek comfort outside her home.

The Farquarsons are a socially active couple in the neighborhood who employ a new French maid. They provide the venue for Francis's sudden flood of repressed wartime memories.

Mr. Nixon is a Shady Hill resident who spends his evening yelling at the local wildlife, contributing to the familiar background noise of the suburban enclave.