Paul is a former history teacher and the cynical narrator of the story. He dreads the scheduled dinner with his politician brother and frequently experiences intense, aggressive internal thoughts regarding everyday social interactions. He harbors a fiercely protective instinct toward his family, especially after viewing a disturbing video on his son's phone just before leaving for the restaurant.

Claire is Paul's wife and acts as a stabilizing presence who can halt his socially unacceptable impulses with a simple look. Paul views her as the smarter partner in their marriage. She is highly attentive to her family's well-being and intensely protective of her son's future.

Serge is Paul's older brother and a prominent Dutch politician favored to become the next Prime Minister. He enjoys fine wine, expensive food, and the privileges of his fame, which severely irritates his brother. Underneath his polished public persona, he faces a massive private crisis involving his children.

Babette is Serge's stylish wife and potentially the future First Lady of the Netherlands. She is intelligent but frequently clashes with her husband over his behavior. At the dinner, she struggles to maintain her composure in the face of their children's escalating crisis.

Michel is Paul and Claire's fifteen-year-old son. He is athletic and generally popular, but his mother notices he has been acting strangely. His phone holds evidence of a dark, violent secret that drives the central conflict of the parents' dinner.

Rick is Serge and Babette's teenage son, around the same age as his cousin Michel. He is involved in the same serious situation as his cousin but is depicted as more of a follower who struggles heavily under the emotional weight of his actions.

Beau is Serge and Babette's teenage son, adopted from Burkina Faso. Sometimes called "Faso" by his cousins, he possesses critical information regarding his cousins' recent violent actions, creating a dangerous tension among the boys.

Valerie is Serge and Babette's thirteen-year-old daughter. She is described as having slight autism and a distinct, translucent beauty. She does not attend the dinner with her parents.

Tonio is the owner of the high-end organic restaurant where the families hold their dinner. He pays special attention to VIP guests like Serge, though his overly familiar hospitality quickly annoys Paul.