Bear’s character centers on the tragedy of an insecure, passive young man whose deep loneliness ultimately curdles into toxic entitlement. Physically, he possesses a boyish charm, a youthful face, and an unassuming "boy next door" aesthetic styled with casual flannel shirts, hoodies, and slightly unkempt hair that blends into his low-profile retail job environment. He carries himself with a perpetually anxious, timid demeanor, often displaying nervous physical tics and avoiding direct eye contact, which allows his darker tendencies to fly completely under the radar. However, this non-threatening exterior masks a fragile ego and profound emotional immaturity. When faced with his feelings for Nikki, his social anxiety causes him to freeze, choosing passive-aggressive defenses over open vulnerability. Because he is fundamentally isolated and lacking direction, he becomes obsessed with Nikki not for who she is, but for the validation she can provide him. This deep selfishness makes him morally weak; he willingly ignores glaring red flags and the erosion of Nikki's autonomy because the artificial fantasy finally grants him the control and companionship he always craved.

Nikki's character represents the horrifying destruction of a person's identity and autonomy. Originally a kind, expressive, and independent young woman, her entire being is forcibly reprogrammed into a vessel of hyper-fixated, uncanny devotion. Physically, she is a young, attractive woman with dark hair and deeply expressive eyes, initially styled by costume designers in an effortlessly cool, fashionable aesthetic featuring layered silver rings and pendants that reflect her natural creativity. However, post-wish, she undergoes a drastic physical transformation: she sheds her personal style for a tight red dress tailored to a forced "male gaze", starts wearing a "B" initial pendant to symbolize Bear's ownership over her, and transitions into a rigid, mannequin-like figure who stands dead-still in dark corners with a wide-eyed, unblinking intensity. Her personality becomes entirely monopolized by a desperate, mechanical need to possess Bear, prompting her to monitor his sleep, control his movements, and react with volatile paranoia toward the outside world. As her obsession spirals, her appearance completely disintegrates; she is reduced to wearing Bear's oversized, stained baggy t-shirts, standing eerily by the door for hours while neglecting her own well-being, leaving her looking physically drained, unkempt, and entirely unrecognizable by the end. Yet, the ultimate horror of Nikki lies in her internal fragmentation: she is a hostage in her own skin, forced to perform acts of aggressive obsession while her true self can only silently weep or occasionally fracture the surface in fleeting, desperate cries for help.

Ian’s character centers on the realistic portrayal of a fake friend whose outward charisma masks a deeply deceptive and self-serving nature. Physically, he is portrayed by actor Cooper Tomlinson as a handsome, conventionally attractive, and confident young man with blue eyes, sharp features, and styled hair that gives him vastly more "game" and effortless charm than Bear. He styles himself in casual but trendy clothing—frequently seen in well-fitted t-shirts and stylish outerwear—and carries himself with a relaxed, secure posture and an easygoing smile that makes him highly popular, socially active, and capable of drawing people toward him. However, this charming, "chill guy" exterior completely disguises a manipulative and deeply dishonest personality. On the surface, Ian acts like a supportive best friend—even helping Bear practice his declaration of love in the opening scene—but he constantly acts as a subtle saboteur, deliberately dissuading Bear from confessing his feelings to Nikki under the shallow excuse of "not wanting to ruin their weekly trivia group". This behavior highlights his extreme selfishness and lack of real concern for anyone else's well-being; he intentionally sets Bear up to fail because he is secretly hooking up with Nikki behind Bear’s back. He lacks transparency and genuine empathy, casually manipulating the dynamics of his entire friend group to maintain his own casual, comfortable pleasures and status, completely blind to—or simply unbothered by—the emotional damage his dishonesty causes.