La Couchette

An English doctor traveling to an appointment, Maxwell seeks quiet rest in bunk 9E. His calm, rational demeanor helps him navigate the group’s shifting dynamics, translating etiquette and language quirks for others. The cramped social dance tests his limits, and the eventual revelation that he has murdered the wrong man exposes a fragile moral line beneath his composed exterior.

A loud, inebriated German passenger who initially intrudes into bunk 9D, his crude humor and blunt presence disrupt Maxwell’s attempt at sleep. He shifts bunk assignments with a practiced ease, masking a more calculating side. In the twist, he is revealed as Dr Meyer, traveling to the same interview, adding a chilling layer to the incident and confirming his capacity for deception.

Kath is a witty, self-assured passenger who shares a private joke with Les. Her flirtatious energy and ease in bending rules contribute to the car’s charged atmosphere. She faces the morning aftermath with uneasy calm as the group confronts the dead man and the consequences of their choices.

Kath’s partner, Les is practical and lighthearted but carries an undercurrent of anxiety about the upcoming wedding. The confined carriage heightens his sensitivity to responsibility and guilt, driving him to confront his own conscience as events unfold. His reactions reveal how fear can shape moral decisions in a claustrophobic setting.

An Australian backpacker with a keen eye, Shona observes the group with interest and practicality. She anchors the social dynamic with quiet, perceptive comments and notices small but telling details—like the deer strike—that hint at larger, unseen consequences. Her presence grounds the scene before she and Hugo decide to leave the carriage together.

An English trustafarian who prefers the carriage’s social cocoon to first class, Hugo is candid, flirtatious, and unexpectedly practical. He reveals his ticketless status, offering a sincere, if self-preserving, perspective during the crisis. By the end, he partners with Shona to face an uncertain future beyond the carriage.