Traveling through Area X with Ghost Bird and Grace, Control suffers from an overwhelming brightness, transforms into an animalistic form, and leaps into the Crawler's light at the bottom of the stairs.

A copy of the original biologist navigating Area X. She rejects the original biologist's human attachments, feels a distinct connection to Area X, and considers herself a 'question' rather than an answer.

The paranoid head of the Southern Reach with a secretive past. She secretly investigates Whitby's doppelgänger incident, tolerates Lowry's harassment, and leaves a deeply personal letter to Saul acknowledging her childhood connection to him.

The historical keeper of the lighthouse who experiences terrifying, reality-altering visions of a plummeting star and overwhelming brightness, marking the onset of his tragic transformation.

A hostile, defensive man who operates a remote headquarters and manipulates the Southern Reach's expeditions. He covered up the S&SB's involvement and is deeply scarred by the first expedition.

She helps the Director plan the covert expedition in the past, and in the present, having lived in Area X for three years, she travels with Control and Ghost Bird, harboring bitterness toward Central.

An erratic scientist who secretly washes a mouse in the swamp, reports a mysterious plant blooming, and engages in a lethal physical struggle with his own doppelgänger among a mound of journals in the lighthouse.

A local resident who spends time with Saul, worries about his health, and dismisses the Séance & Science Brigade as harmless freaks.

A smiling but suspicious investigator who arrives at the lighthouse with tools, implicitly clashing with Saul and Gloria over a fire on the island.

A charismatic but increasingly worn representative from Central who acts as the Director's 'parole officer' and oversees Lowry's investments.

An exasperated Southern Reach scientist who aggressively pushes back against Whitby's unconventional theories about the immortal plant.

Henry's partner who carries equipment, offers Gloria a lollipop, and photographs Saul, Brad, and Gloria shortly before Saul's vision degrades.

The narrator of the island sequences, surviving alone for decades, slowly transforming, observing the ecosystem, and using pain to fight off the internal 'brightness'.

A large, pale, grub-like beast with a moaning call that the Biologist tracks down and observes while it sleeps.

A terrified woman subjected to Lowry's extreme psychological conditioning, whom the Director ultimately releases from the mission.

An icy, imposing woman accompanying Henry and Suzanne in the lighthouse, whose calm demeanor frightens Saul.