The Damned

A recently divorced, middle-aged American on a boating holiday who has left his insurance career. He shows a moral center, practical courage, and a willingness to risk himself for others as he bonds with Joan and the children. His illness from radiation at the end crystallizes the film’s moral stakes.

A 20-year-old woman who lures Simon into a mugging and becomes his ally. She is guarded and defiant, resisting her brother King’s control while revealing the plight of the children. Her decision to join Simon reveals a quiet determination to seek freedom, even when it endangers her.

Joan’s brother and leader of a motorbike gang; violent, possessive, and quick to threaten outsiders. He pursues Simon, Joan, and the others, serving as the film’s immediate danger. His eventual downfall comes through the consequences of radiation and pursuit.

A scientist who oversees the children's isolation and education through surveillance. He manipulates questions about their origin and believes in a future in which they survive nuclear war. His arrogance and control are exposed as his plan unravels and he murders his mistress Freya.

Bernard’s mistress who challenges his plan and rejects his authority. She acts as a voice of moral hesitation and ultimately pays with her life. Her resistance underscores the peril of the project and the cost of power.

A military base officer who represents official authority during the events. He is an observer and enforcer, embodying the state’s attempt to control the situation from above. His role underscores the film’s tension between individual action and institutional power.