Erik is a 60-year-old father who prides himself on his strong work ethic and his history of providing for his family. He carries a heavy burden of financial anxiety and suffers from sleeplessness due to a recurring, unsettling dream about a faceless woman. His memories of being near the World Trade Center during the September 11 terrorist attacks cause lingering anxiety, especially regarding his daughters living in large cities. He harbors deep insecurities about his financial stability and tries to project authority despite feeling a lack of control.

Deirdre is a 61-year-old woman who has worked at the same company for decades, where she is underpaid and managed by younger, less experienced men. She relies heavily on her Catholic faith to cope with the unpredictability of life and worries deeply about her family's physical safety. She frequently tries to share her religious beliefs with her daughters, leading to arguments when they reject her traditional perspective.

Brigid is a 26-year-old aspiring musician who works as a bartender while applying for grants to jumpstart her career. She is eager to impress her family as she hosts Thanksgiving in her new Chinatown duplex but quickly becomes defensive under her parents' constant scrutiny. Despite her desire for independence, she craves her family's approval and struggles with feelings of inadequacy regarding her professional life.

Aimee is a 34-year-old lawyer whose career trajectory is threatened by her worsening struggle with ulcerative colitis. She is dealing with intense emotional pain following a breakup with her long-term girlfriend, Carol, yet she tries to hide her distress from her family. As the eldest daughter, she often acts as a mediator during family arguments, prioritizing the group's peace over her own physical and emotional comfort.

Richard is Brigid's 38-year-old boyfriend and a graduate student studying social work. Having managed his own struggles with depression in his early thirties, he approaches life with a structured, organized mindset that helps ground his girlfriend. He comes from a wealthy background and will inherit a trust fund at age 40, creating a quiet class contrast between him and the working-class Blake family.

Momo is Erik's 79-year-old mother who requires constant, intensive care due to advanced dementia. She communicates entirely in nonsensical, fearful phrases and frustrated outbursts throughout the Thanksgiving gathering. Her condition demands significant financial and emotional resources from the family, serving as a constant, physical reminder of their precarious stability.

Carol is Aimee's former long-term girlfriend. Though not physically present at the Thanksgiving dinner, her recent separation from Aimee casts a long shadow over the holiday. She sets clear boundaries during their phone call, rejecting Aimee's attempts to stay connected.