Brainstorm

A driven scientist and husband who pushes the device forward and must confront the consequences of his creation. His devotion to Karen becomes complicated as memory and emotion threaten his objectivity. He ultimately seeks to destroy the project.

Michael's wife and fellow scientist who champions ethical use of the invention. She resists militarized applications and navigates a difficult relationship with Michael as memories bring them closer and threaten their careers. She participates in sabotaging the project to prevent abuse.

A chain-smoking team member with health problems who records her experiences to the end. Her heart attack and later recording push the team to confront mortality and the fragility of human life.

A risk-taking team member who shares tapes and becomes a problematic catalyst for the project. His exposure to the recordings demonstrates how intimate experiences can be misused.

A colleague who helps operate the device and collates tapes. He becomes implicated in the mix of professional ambition and personal temptations, ultimately contributing to the program's unraveling.

The project CEO who pressures the team to commercialize the invention for military use and ultimately fires Michael and Karen when they resist. His leadership is marked by pragmatism and cold calculation.

A federal government figure with ties to the military who pushes for the weaponization and military funding of the project, creating a dangerous leverage against the researchers.

Michael and Karen's son who inadvertently views the memory tape and suffers a psychotic break, illustrating the personal stakes of the technology.

The plant manager who controls the lab's operations and orders the arrest of Michael when the security breaches escalate.

Hal's wife who is mentioned as part of the memory and relationships that surround the team, but whose on-screen presence is limited.