An older Haitian American man who works as a barber in Brooklyn, trying to lead a quiet, redemptive life. He carries a large, ugly scar across his face, which he nervously covers with his hand in public. Beneath his calm exterior as a dedicated husband and father, he hides a violent past as a torturer for the Duvalier regime in Haiti.

Ka is a young Haitian American sculptor who attempts to make sense of her family's past through art. Raised in Brooklyn with minimal connection to the broader Haitian community, she lives a sheltered existence designed by her parents. She crafts a wooden sculpture titled "Father" out of mahogany, leaving the wood's superficial cracks intact as a tribute to him, unaware of his actual history.

Anne is the deeply devout wife of the dew breaker and mother to Ka. She relies heavily on her Catholic faith and a belief in everyday miracles to manage the stress of her family's hidden past. She suffers from epilepsy, which she historically viewed through a spiritual lens, and works quietly to foster harmony between her husband and daughter.

A young Haitian immigrant who works in New York and shares a basement apartment to save money. He carries the trauma of losing his parents in a tragic fire, a loss that continually shapes his life. He returns to his home country to reconnect with his elderly aunt, seeking closure and a sense of belonging.

A Haitian American who shares a basement apartment with Eric and Dany before eventually marrying. He writes a memoir for his unborn son to ensure the next generation understands their heritage. He specifically documents his teenage years during the chaotic fall of the Duvalier regime in 1986.

A young journalist assigned to write a brief human-interest piece on a retiring dressmaker. Distracted by a recent breakup, she expects a routine interview but finds herself drawn into a much darker narrative. She resolves to uncover and document the complex, difficult stories of her community.

A hospital nurse who leads a profoundly isolated existence in America. Distanced from both her family in Haiti and her coworkers, she relies on television to numb her emotional distress. She struggles with feelings of voicelessness and grief over a terminated pregnancy.

A hardworking immigrant who juggles two jobs, including a night shift as a college janitor. He lives in a shared basement apartment to save money for his wife's immigration and legal fees. He struggles to rebuild intimacy and bridge the gap created by their lengthy physical separation.

A Haitian woman who immigrates to the United States after a seven-year wait. Speaking only Creole, she finds herself isolated in a new, unfamiliar country while her husband works long hours. She attempts to adjust to life in a cramped basement apartment while dealing with the emotional distance in her marriage.

A skilled bridal seamstress who has spent years hand-sewing dresses for young women in her community. She insists her clients call her "Mother" and maintains a strict, proud demeanor. Beneath her professional exterior, she suffers from severe paranoia, believing she is constantly followed by a former prison guard.

Dany's elderly aunt who lives in a remote mountain village. She was blinded and scarred in a tragic fire but continues to work as a vital midwife for surrounding communities. She serves as a living connection to the past for her visiting nephew.

A self-educated intellectual youth who quotes Voltaire and Socrates. He is highly skeptical of political improvements following the departure of the Duvalier regime. Desperate to distance himself from his father's thuggish reputation, he formulates a plan to flee the country.

A dedicated Protestant religious leader in the impoverished Bel Air neighborhood. He broadcasts antigovernment sermons over the radio, directly challenging the regime's authority. He acts out of a deep sense of moral duty and profound grief following the murder of his wife.

A professional mourner who once sang at funerals in Haiti. She fled the country after refusing an invitation to perform at the presidential palace. Now studying English in Manhattan, she bonds with other immigrant women and copes with her displacement by sketching faces in a notebook.

An American-born man of Haitian descent who relocates to the rural mountains. Unable to speak Creole, he feels culturally isolated but appreciates the villagers' welcoming nature. He seeks redemption and a new mission in life following a violent confrontation with his father.

A wealthy resident of Michel's childhood neighborhood in Port-au-Prince. He operates a lucrative water pumping station, controlling a vital resource for the community. His wealth and status make him a primary target for angry mobs during periods of political unrest.

A successful Haitian American television star who collects art. She represents a different class of immigrant experience, enjoying wealth and regular visits back to Haiti. She expresses interest in purchasing Ka's mahogany sculpture because it reminds her of her own father.

A former teacher who recently underwent a laryngectomy. Frustrated by her sudden inability to speak, she communicates through written notes. Her physical loss of voice deeply resonates with the emotional silencing experienced by the nurse who treats her.

A hospital worker who tries to break through the emotional walls of her isolated colleague. She represents the possibility of social connection in an otherwise sterile work environment, though her efforts are largely rebuffed.

A Haitian American woman taking classes to earn an English-speaking diploma. She carries the tragic memory of her husband, an artist who was executed for painting an unflattering portrait of the Haitian president. She finds solace in the company of other women who understand her grief.

A Haitian American restaurant owner who provides a gathering space for her friends to study and socialize. She survived severe childhood trauma after being sold into prostitution by her parents in Haiti. She uses her current success to build a supportive community for women like herself.

A low-level thug who worked for the Duvalier regime in Port-au-Prince. Having abused his limited power to dominate his neighbors, he finds himself hunted by an angry crowd seeking retribution once the government collapses.

A short, stout, bespectacled woman who serves as a superior officer in the Duvalier regime. She delivers commands directly from the national palace, embodying the bureaucratic and deeply paranoid nature of the totalitarian state.

A local shoeshine man in Port-au-Prince who operates near the church. He quietly subverts the regime, having once participated in a plot to dump slop on government volunteers. He acts as a watchful, protective presence in his community.