Carmen

A serious Basque sergeant in the Spanish army who becomes a feared bandit after Carmen's seduction. He starts as disciplined but is pulled into crime by passion, losing his rank and steady life. His jealousy and fixation on Carmen drive him toward brutal acts, including murder.

A sultry, tempestuous woman who uses charm and sexuality to manipulate men and advance her own interests. She flirts with José to secure loyalty and moves between smuggling, crime, and prostitution. Her shady past and fierce will push the plot toward escalating danger.

A fellow factory worker who inflames tension by calling Carmen gypsy and provoking confrontations. She is the target of Carmen's actions and becomes a catalyst in the early conflicts. Her rivalry exposes social prejudices and the fragility of friendships in the factory town.

Carmen's dangerous husband, a gangster who is released from prison and enters the story with a menacing presence. His arrival heightens jealousy and threats within the group. He is eventually killed in a knife fight with José.

A dashing matador who draws Carmen's eye and becomes a focus of José's jealousy. His affair with Carmen catalyzes a violent confrontation that ends with his murder at José's hands.

One of Carmen's bandit companions who joins José in the hideout and becomes part of the ruthless circle. He embodies the camaraderie and violence of the outlaw group.

An experienced madame who runs the brothel where Carmen's encounters occur and warns José about the limits of Carmen's schemes. She represents the criminal underworld’s support network and pragmatic outlook.

José's lieutenant who facilitates Carmen's schemes by passing smuggling routes and providing opportunities for loose sexual arrangements. He becomes entangled in the moral ambiguity of loyalty and desire.

The French writer who befriends the imprisoned José and records his tragic tale. He serves as a witness and narrator, guiding the audience through José's memories and the events that shaped Carmen's world.