Emily is a young professional living in Milwaukee who longs for stability. Still struggling with the trauma of a harrowing trip to Cambodia a year prior, she deals with severe anxiety and guilt. She relies heavily on her decade-long friendship with Kristen, though she wants space to nurture her new romantic relationship with Aaron. Her conventional desires put her at odds with her best friend's nomadic expectations.

Kristen is Emily's fiercely independent best friend of ten years. Recently returned to the United States from a job in Sydney, Australia, she presents herself as a free-spirited adventurer who dislikes conventionality. She is highly protective of Emily and demands a tight, exclusive bond, often intervening in Emily's romances and pushing her to embrace a nomadic lifestyle.

Aaron is Emily's new boyfriend. He is thoughtful and provides Emily with the sense of stability she deeply desires. He tries to be understanding of Emily's close bond with Kristen, even as he finds himself dealing with Kristen's constant interruptions and unusual demands on their time.

A South African backpacker whose violent actions set off a chain of traumatic events. His assault on Emily in a hotel room profoundly altered the course of both women's lives, leading to a desperate cover-up.

A handsome American tourist who goes back to the hotel with Kristen. His violent encounter with her results in his death, plunging the two friends into a frantic effort to hide his body and evade local authorities.

Emily's first long-term boyfriend from college. He was controlling and manipulative, eventually becoming physically abusive, which prompted Kristen to intervene and move Emily's belongings out of their shared apartment.

Another of Emily's past boyfriends. Emily ended the relationship at Kristen's insistence, having been convinced at the time that he was overly possessive and demanding.

Emily's therapist in Milwaukee. She helps Emily work through her feelings of guilt, her past trauma, and the increasingly concerning boundaries within her friendship with Kristen.

A friendly coworker of Emily's. Kristen monitors their casual interactions on social media, viewing their developing friendship with suspicion.

Kristen's grandmother and legal guardian, who raised Kristen after the tragic death of her parents. She has a strained, tense relationship with her granddaughter but shows genuine maternal concern for Emily's well-being.

Kristen's grandfather, who shares custody of her following her parents' deaths. He maintains a distant and highly critical dynamic with Kristen, often making rude comments about her life choices.

Kristen's childhood best friend. The girls shared an intensely close bond before Jamie's tragic death at age twelve, a loss that Kristen refuses to discuss openly but that continues to cast a shadow over her present relationships.

Jamie's father, who moved to Las Vegas with his wife following the tragic events of their daughter's childhood. He maintains distant contact with Kristen's grandparents.

Jamie's mother. She carries the heavy burden of her daughter's tragic past and holds crucial insight into the childhood dynamic between Jamie and Kristen, offering Emily much-needed context about Kristen's early behaviors.

A child psychologist whom Kristen saw in her youth following the sudden death of her parents. Emily discovers that her clinic specifically serves court-ordered child patients, raising new questions about Kristen's history.

A cold, uncaring figure from Emily's childhood. His tendency to scold and punish her for minor infractions or accidents instilled a deep-seated sense of unwarranted guilt and shame in her from a young age.

Emily's distant and neglectful mother. She failed to protect Emily from her father's harshness, leading to a strained adult relationship between mother and daughter.

A cruel and abusive man who died in a house fire when Kristen was twelve. His dark actions caused immense trauma for the children in his orbit, creating a cycle of pain that long outlasted his life.

Kristen's beloved mother, who perished in the devastating house fire when Kristen was twelve years old. Her presence at the house on the night of the fire was an unexpected schedule change.