Susan
- Laser-Guided Karma: It took twenty years, but it bit her hard when Edward wrote the novel representing her actions against him, which broke her when she read it, and then he invites her to dinner at a restaurant but he stands her up. At that point, she realizes that she has no one else to turn to: her husband is cheating on her, her daughter is distant and her co-workers are self-centered morons. All she's got is meaningless luxuries.
- Like Mother, Like Daughter: Lampshaded. Her elitist, Rich Bitch mother claimed that she would eventually turn out like her, and therefore had to leave Edward, who would later accuse Susan to act like her. Turns out she did.
- My God, What Have I Done?: She instantly regrets aborting her and Edward's child.
- My Greatest Failure: Thinks this about leaving Edward.
- Rich Bitch: In the present, she lives a life of luxury and wealth. But she doesn't quite have the expected attitude.
- Stood Up: At the end, when she has finished reasing Edward's book, they plan a reunion at a nice restaurant, but Edward never shows up.
- Supporting Protagonist: Downplayed. Most of the movie is about her reading the titular novel, which is an allegory for how her and Edward's relationship turned out, and that is the main focus of the story.
Edward
- All-Loving Hero: Used to be an idealistic and kind-hearted Nice Guy. That is if you don’t count his Can't Take Criticism attitude.
- Best Served Cold: His revenge on Susan involves writing down his pain into a novel that will undoubtedly make him a succesful writer, send a copy of it to her which makes her devastated just reading it knowing the pain she caused him, and setting up a reunion with her only to stand her up.
- Can't Take Criticism: If his hostility towards Susan's opinion on his early works are anything to go by.
- Childhood Friends: Used to be this for Susan and her brother Cooper.
- Nice Guy: Used to be a kind-hearted man until Susan left him.
- Took a Level in Jerkass: Implied. After Susan finished reading his book, they set up a reunion at a fancy restaurant, but he stands her up.
From the in-universe novel
Tony Hastings
- Author Avatar: In-Universe to Edward. The Protagonist of the novel that represents how Edward's relationship with Susan turned out. He also a weak man scared if conflicts, which is what Edward thinks Susan thought of him.
- Beard of Sorrow: Inverted. He shaves his beard shortly after seeing the dead bodies of his wife and daughter.
Laura and India Hastings
- Drop Dead Gorgeous: Their bodies are found naked on an outside couch after Ray killed them.
- Disposable Woman. Their kidnapping, rape and death is the first thing that happens in the book and triggers it's main plot.
Bobby Andes
- Cowboy Cop: A real hardass detective who is not at all afraid of going outside the rules.
Ray Marcus
- Ax-Crazy: A sadist, he kidnaps, rapes and murders Tony's wife and daughter for fun. It's implied he does this on a regular basis.
- Big Bad: The main antagonist in the novel.
- Expy: An In-Universe example, as he is this to Susan.
- Faux Affably Evil: He tries to hide behind an innocent facade, but his Obviously Evil streak makes it very hard to fall for.
- Hate Sink: When approaching the Hastings, he sadistically harasses them before kidnapping and raping the wife and daughter, attempting to kill Tony in the process, for which he shows absolutely no remorse for. Which is fitting considering he is supposed to represent all that Susan is to Edward now.
- Sadist: In his own words, "it's fun to kill people".
- Serial Rapist: He had one more rape charge to his name besides the Hating-case, and he is most likely guilty of plenty of rapes.
- The Sociopath: A sadistic and homicidal rapist without any conscience.
- Wham Line: When he calls Tony "too weak", it becomes pretty obvious that Ray is a second Expy to Susan, as that is what Edward accused her of thinking of him.
Lou
- Asshole Victim: He is an accomplice to Ray's crimes after all.
- Dirty Coward: When confronted by Andes, he is genuinely afraid for his life unlike Ray who is more confident.
- Soft-Spoken Sadist: How he talks to Tony while Ray is raping his family.
- Villains Want Mercy: When Bobby is about to kill him, he is scared for his life and calls Bobby out for his methodologies.
