Onibaba

A weary veteran who returns from war and is drawn to the younger woman. His desire clashes with the older woman's warnings, driving a love triangle that exposes the fragility of loyalty in a war-torn landscape. He meets a violent end at the hands of a later deserter, highlighting the perilous randomness of this world.

A shrewd merchant who buys loot from dead soldiers and trades it for food, becoming a conduit for news about the war’s brutality. His feasts on information and barter reflect a society driven to barter survival at the edge of civilization.

The older woman is protective of her daughter-in-law and is willing to manipulate others to keep her rival close. Her jealousy pushes her to scheme and even wear the samurai’s disguise to scare away the younger woman. The film hints at a monstrous power that resides in her determination.

The younger wife who pursues a forbidden relationship with Hachi, sneaking to his hut at night. Her desire collides with her mother-in-law’s control, driving the central conflict. Her actions propel the plot toward the culmination of the tragedy.

A deserter wearing a Hannya mask who is guided by the older woman out of the field. His mask hints at a hidden, deformed face and precipitates a chain of deadly events as he meets his fate in the pit.

A deserter encountered in the war-torn landscape, adding danger to the field where the two women extract resources. His presence heightens the sense of precarious survival and violence.

Another deserter who raids for food and contributes to the film’s tragic arc, including the assault that ends Hachi’s life. His presence underscores the indiscriminate brutality of war.

A disfigured samurai whose blood-streaked presence and broken mask symbolize the physical and moral scars of battle. He embodies the theme of appearance versus reality and the consequences of violence.