A Closed Book

A renowned art critic and blind author who rents his mansion for a final autobiography. He exhibits a ruthless, exacting temperament, dictating his work and demanding obedience, all while concealing a dangerous past. His claustrophobia and fear of the dark create a paradox: he is powerful yet physically vulnerable. The revelation that he is a pedophile ties his self-image to the manipulation of truth and art.

An intelligent candidate who becomes Sir Paul's amanuensis and moves into the mansion. She crafts lies about her life, manipulates Paul, and escalates her actions to threaten him after learning his secrets. Her destructively precise schemes reveal a desire to destroy the man who threatened her late husband, Ralph. Her capacity for deception drives the suspense and moral ambiguity of the story.

The cook and housekeeper who manages the daily rhythm of the mansion. She serves as the quiet anchor in the household and the point of contact when tensions rise. Her presence underscores the domestic facade that both houses and hides the characters' secrets, including news about her own husband’s illness.

One of the interviewees Sir Paul considers for the ghostwriter position; his role underscores the audition-like process that frames the mansion as a stage for manipulation. He represents the many potential subjects and the blurred line between artistic collaboration and psychological testing. His presence adds to the atmosphere of judgment and power dynamics in the house.

Jane's husband whose controversial paintings and arrest precede his death by suicide after a public confrontation with Sir Paul. Ralph's art becomes the hidden truth behind the quick shots shown in the film, revealing the real subject of Jane's vendetta. His memory haunts the mansion and informs Jane's plan to confront Sir Paul with the truth.