Eddie is an 83-year-old war veteran who works as the head of maintenance at the Ruby Pier amusement park. He lives with chronic pain from a combat injury that left him with a permanent limp. He harbors a deep sense of regret, believing his life is mundane and unfulfilling because he never left his hometown or pursued his early dream of studying engineering. He is highly skilled at fixing machines and quietly protective of the park's patrons.

Marguerite is Eddie's wife, a woman who possesses a naturally joyful and forgiving disposition. Unlike Eddie, she does not hold onto anger and finds contentment in simple things, like looking at the Ferris wheel from their apartment window. Her presence offers Eddie a sense of peace and a reason to persevere through his darker moments.

Originally named Joseph Corvelzchik, The Blue Man is a former sideshow performer at Ruby Pier whose skin turned blue after he ingested silver nitrate as a child. Having suffered from severe anxiety, he eventually found a sense of acceptance and community working at the amusement park. He is the first person to greet Eddie in the afterlife.

The Captain is Eddie's former commanding officer during World War II. Raised in a military family with strict expectations, he is deeply committed to the safety of the soldiers under his command. He operates under the unwritten rules of military leadership, prioritizing the survival of his men above his own well-being.

Ruby is a former diner waitress who married a wealthy businessman with a passion for amusement parks. She is the namesake of Ruby Pier, the park her husband built to honor their marriage. She carries complex feelings about the park's existence and watches over those who have been connected to its history.

Tala is a young girl, about five or six years old, from the Philippines. She communicates in broken English and represents a haunting memory from Eddie's time serving overseas. Her interactions with Eddie help him process the guilt and confusion he carries regarding his military service.

Eddie's father works as a ride mechanic at Ruby Pier, a job he holds for many years. He is a harsh, demanding man who struggles with gambling and often treats his sons with neglect or physical aggression. Despite his volatile temper, he works hard to provide for his family and values his employment at the pier.

Mickey is a coworker and friend of Eddie's father at Ruby Pier. He struggles heavily with alcohol addiction, which causes turmoil in his personal and professional life. Despite his flaws, he offers Eddie advice and represents the complicated nature of the adults surrounding Eddie during his childhood.

Dominquez is a young maintenance worker at Ruby Pier who reports directly to Eddie. He is planning a trip to Mexico to visit family and shares a quiet camaraderie with his older boss, occasionally fishing with him off the boardwalk.

Amy (or Annie, as Eddie cannot quite remember her name) is a young girl who frequently visits the amusement park. She often wanders unsupervised, prompting Eddie to keep a watchful eye on her and occasionally make her small toys out of pipe cleaners.

Eddie's mother is a gentle and nurturing presence in his early life. She organizes family celebrations, encourages her children, and attempts to maintain peace in a household heavily influenced by her husband's difficult temperament.

Joe is Eddie's older brother. He grows up sharing a bedroom with Eddie and enduring their father's unpredictable moods. He often relies on Eddie's natural toughness for protection during their childhood.

Emile is a wealthy businessman who makes his fortune in lumber and steel. He has a deep fascination with amusement parks and builds a grand seaside attraction to celebrate his love for his wife.

Noel is a friend of Eddie's who shares his interest in gambling. He encourages Eddie's habit of visiting the racetrack, providing a temporary escape from everyday responsibilities.

Nicky is a young boy who visits Ruby Pier. He inadvertently loses his car key while riding one of the drop tower attractions, creating a mechanical hazard that the maintenance crew must address.