Carousel

A rough-talking, macho carousel barker whose bravado masks financial insecurity and inner conflict. He loves Julie but grapples with jealousy and impulsive choices, including the planned robbery. His death becomes the catalyst for the journey toward redemption and reconciliation.

A young, innocent mill worker who falls in love with Billy and becomes pregnant. She embodies resilience and loyalty, supporting Billy through hardship and heartbreak. Her relationship with Billy and her care for Louise anchor the emotional core of the story.

The jealous carousel owner who resents Billy and Julie and pressures Billy to leave Julie to keep his job. Her actions reflect the town’s social fragility and the power dynamics at play.

A wealthy mill owner who imposes a curfew and uses his influence to control workers and relationships. He embodies the town’s social hierarchy and the pressures that drive Billy and Julie apart.

Billy’s scheming friend who lures him into the robbery. He is quick-witted and self-serving, and ultimately betrays Billy at a critical moment, sealing Billy’s fate.

Julie’s cousin who runs the seaside spa and restaurant where the couple seeks refuge after marriage. She represents hospitality and a supportive, close-knit community in the coastal town.

Billy and Julie’s daughter, emotionally scarred by taunting about her father’s ambitions. She embodies the impact of social stigma, while gradually finding hope and strength through family support and personal milestones.

A wealthy town figure who represents the social order and economic power within the community. His presence underscores the class dynamics shaping the choices and ambitions of the town’s inhabitants.

A celestial guide who provides moral framing during the afterlife sequences and supports Billy’s journey toward redemption.

A heavenly gatekeeper figure who oversees Billy’s afterlife visitation and clarifies the rules of his one-day return to Earth.

A dancer at the Starlight Carnival, appearing in the film’s more fantastical moments and reflecting the dreamlike quality of Louise’s world.