Agnes

Agnes is a striking woman in her late fifties, navigating her roles as a wife and mother. She is plagued by the dread of losing her mental acuity, which she perceives as a form of "drifting" that would alienate her from the world she knows. To prevent this disconnection, Agnes strives to maintain a "delicate balance" in her life. Her struggle is compounded by the emotional distance of her husband and the perceived "embarrassment" of her sister. Agnes manages these challenges by taking verbal control, passing judgment to maintain order. Ultimately, she comes to understand that her grasp on reality is more reliant on her family than she was willing to acknowledge, a realization that fills her with fear.

Tobias

In his early sixties, Tobias is Agnes's husband, characterized by emotional repression and withdrawal. He conceals his profound anxieties behind a facade of self-control and tranquility, relying on alcohol to suppress them. Confronted by Agnes with the decision of whether their friends Harry and Edna should remain in their home, Tobias crumbles under the pressure of expressing his true feelings—not only about their guests but also about his own family. His overwhelming fear of death and solitude compels him to endure the demands of his family, reflecting the burden of honesty he cannot escape.

Claire

Claire is Agnes’s younger sister, battling alcoholism. Described by Agnes as an ingrate and one of the walking wounded, Claire is, however, the most candid member of the family. She unabashedly displays her emotions and darker inclinations. Her drinking serves multiple purposes: it irritates and embarrasses Agnes, entertains Tobias (with whom she might have shared an affair), teases Julia’s pretensions, and defies societal norms. Despite her weary demeanor, Claire is a resilient survivor.

Julia

Julia, the thirty-six-year-old daughter of Agnes and Tobias, has recently separated from her fourth husband. She returns home bearing a sense of failure and emotional turbulence, resembling a youthful version of Claire, whom she deeply admires and loves. Julia craves the sanctuary of her childhood room, a symbol of stability amid her emotional chaos. The realization that her godparents occupy this space leads to her hysteria. Her return forces a reevaluation of the familial dynamics and the alliances binding Agnes, Tobias, and Claire in their uneasy triangle.

Harry

Harry is one half of the couple comprising Agnes and Tobias's best friends and godparents to Julia. Alongside Edna, he is overwhelmed by an unnamed "terror," which marks them as "intruders" in the household. This terror is enigmatic and contagious, as each family member projects their own personal anguish onto it. While the women of the house urge them to leave, Tobias pleads for their stay. Ultimately, by choosing to depart on their own terms, Harry and Edna compel the family to confront their inner fears. The nature of this terror hints at existential dread, offering a glimpse into the inexorable passage of time, mortality, and alienation.

Edna

Edna, like her husband Harry, is a close friend of Agnes and Tobias, and a godparent to Julia. Together, they bring with them a mysterious "terror" that disturbs the household. Their presence prompts each person to reflect their personal fears, acting as a catalyst for self-examination. While the female members of the household prefer them to leave, Tobias desperately wishes for their company to continue. By choosing to exit independently, Edna and Harry inadvertently force the family to face their existential uncertainties, confronting the relentless march of time and the isolation it brings.