Phantom

A clerk and aspiring poet whose fixation on Veronika derails his life. His obsession consumes his work, leads to a failed attempt at publication, and pulls him into crime. He is emotionally vulnerable, capable of tenderness yet easily consumed by fantasy. By the end he seeks a measure of redemption with Marie.

An unattainable, wealthy woman who becomes the center of Lorenz's fixation. Her presence sparks a fantasy that misleads and isolates him. She represents social distance and desire, remaining out of reach as Lorenz drifts.

A warm, steadfast figure who becomes Lorenz's anchor and later his partner. She embodies sincere affection and practical support, offering a path back to ordinary life after the storm of obsession. Her presence grounds Lorenz and provides true connection.

A sharp, resourceful pawnbroker who finances Lorenz's desires but grows suspicious of his plans. She represents a gatekeeper of money and consequences, ultimately becoming a victim in the scheme. Her stern practicality triggers the crisis that drives the plot.

A manipulative associate who promotes risky schemes and swindles money from Schwabe. He embodies opportunistic crime and the lure of quick fortune. His actions propel the climactic break-in and murder, sealing Lorenz's fate.

A member of Veronika's social circle and the man she is engaged to, highlighting class barriers. He represents the distant, respectable world that keeps Veronika out of Lorenz's reach. His presence underscores the theme of social division.

A partner in the Harlan household who embodies the concerns and rigid norms of a bourgeois family. She adds to the family dynamics that pressure Lorenz and Veronika's circle. She serves as a quiet counterpoint to the male-dominated power structure.

The anxious matriarch who fears for her children' futures and health. Her concern drives family tension, especially with her daughter Melanie, and she ultimately bears the emotional weight of the unfolding events. She embodies the protective, worried parent amid chaos.

A noblewoman figure swirling through society where class and reputation matter. She helps illustrate the rigid social ladders present in the film's world. Her presence reinforces the sense of high-society distance that blocks Lorenz's romance.