Scorpio

An experienced, aging CIA agent and assassin who trains Scorpio to replace him. He is highly skilled, calculating, and wary of patrons, always seeking to stay one step ahead. His personal life—his wife Sarah—adds emotional stakes to a world defined by secrecy and betrayal. He ultimately meets a fatal end after a tense confrontation with Scorpio.

An ambitious freelance hitman-in-training who embodies the film’s moral ambiguity. He is taught to protect himself and be wary of patrons, and he is forced to decide whether to carry out orders under pressure from the CIA. He becomes entangled in Cross's fate and ultimately is killed by a mysterious assailant after delivering a fatal blow to Cross.

A Soviet counterpart and ally who helps Cross with a safehouse in Vienna. He maintains a wary but respectful relationship with Cross, offering professional assistance while representing the Eastern bloc’s constant pressure. Their alliance highlights the Cold War’s uneasy cross-border cooperation.

Cross's wife, whose death during a CIA break-in catalyzes Cross's resolve. She embodies the personal cost of espionage and the fragility of trusted relationships in a world built on secrecy. Her loss intensifies the tragedy and motivates Cross's final actions.

Cross's Czech courier girlfriend who is revealed to be working with Cross. Her role shows how romantic and personal ties are entwined with espionage, and she is killed by Scorpio in a pivotal twist that underscores the film’s fatal view of loyalty.

CIA director whose presence frames the political stakes; Cross murders him as part of his vendetta and to end the pursuit. His leadership represents the ruthless, high-stakes machinery of government espionage.

The CIA director and Scorpio's handler who pushes Scorpio to eliminate Cross; he uses surveillance and internal evidence to persuade Scorpio that Cross is a traitor. He embodies the institutional pressure that drives the action.

Laurier's sister, who shares a home with her roommate; her presence underscores the film’s exploration of family bonds and the personal costs of espionage. She serves as a civilian counterpoint to the story’s dangerous world.