Brother John

A calm, enigmatic stranger who arrives amid labor unrest and quickly becomes the focal point of suspicion. He refuses to reveal his 'work' and carries a passport filled with exotic stamps, suggesting a history beyond the town's confines. His interactions reveal a principled, compassionate core and a willingness to help others even as his own future remains unsettled.

A schoolteacher who forms a tentative, hopeful bond with John, hoping he will stay. Her familiarity with the town and its tensions gives her a grounded perspective, even as she risks personal heartbreak. She embodies compassion and a desire for connection amid social pressures.

The town's physician and a steadfast ally who knows John’s true character. He visits John in jail and speaks in veiled terms about the horrors John has witnessed, hinting at a broader backstory. His faith in John's innocence contrasts with official suspicion.

District Attorney and son of Doc Thomas, a pragmatic figure who channels fear into action. He uses John’s supposed connections to the union movement as a reason to question and prosecute him. His authority reflects the town’s fear of upheaval at the factory, and he embodies the pressure to maintain order.

A religious figure in the town who embodies the moral conscience around the labor conflict. His interactions with Louisa and the community anchor the film's spiritual undertones. He offers guidance as tensions rise and the concept of a larger fate looms.

A local man with his eye on Louisa since high school, embodying the social pressures and romantic rivalries within Hackley. His presence heightens the film's sense of personal stakes amid public unrest. He acts as a counterpoint to John's enigmatic nature.

A town elder whose observations hint at the community’s memory and weight of events. She contributes to the town's atmosphere, offering a traditional perspective on the unfolding drama. Her stance underscores how ordinary citizens navigate extraordinary circumstances.