A capable and confident nanny who presents herself as a psychology student. She manages the children, maintains the home, prepares meals, and imposes firm rules while showing warmth. She becomes deeply integrated into the household, but her possessiveness, manipulative behavior, frightening stories, secrecy, and unsettling actions gradually create tension and suspicion.
A building tenant who becomes the mistaken target of the underground rebels' rescue attempt. After escaping the sewers, she finds Louison's boomerang knife and hands it to Clapet, inadvertently triggering the landlord's demise.
Nadège is Robert’s secretary and his lover during the opening part of the story. Although she is initially involved in Robert’s private life, she ends the affair after seeing how differently Suzanne treats people at the factory. She then supports Suzanne, recognizing the respect that Robert never showed her.
A senior caregiver and coordinator at the Maison des femmes, serving as the emotional and operational anchor of the shelter team. She oversees daily operations, mentors staff, and provides structured support to women rebuilding their lives after violence.
Paula's deaf mother who relies on her daughter for daily communication and farm management.
Bruno's wife. She takes on two part-time jobs to financially support the family after their lifestyle is severely restricted by Bruno's prolonged unemployment.
Struggling single mother of Eva, facing financial crisis and family turmoil.
Divorced French teacher who undergoes a radical psychological shift into a jealous monster. Her obsessive behavior drives the narrative as she targets her daughter, friends, colleagues, and neighbors.
Marithé works at a training centre, helping people explore alternative career paths. She supports Carole as Carole seeks independence and considers leaving Sam, but her involvement becomes emotionally complicated because she is secretly attracted to Sam, Carole's husband.
Marie-Laurence is a member of the Parisian friendship group and Piotr's wife. Her annual dinner gathering is disrupted when Piotr, who is on sabbatical leave, takes responsibility for organizing the event. The arrival of her sister Juliette and their father Henri adds further family tension to the evening.
Lulu is a shy, insecure married woman and mother of three who fails a job interview and initially struggles under pressure from her family life. After leaving home, losing access to money, and meeting strangers, she reflects on her identity, desires, and choices, gradually becoming more self-aware and changed.
Marianne is the troubled mother at the center of the story, living with her husband and children in the Paris apartment. She struggles with disturbing memories, visual symptoms, and fears that her perceptions are unreliable. After the babysitter’s death and the investigation into the Worms family, she urges Jacques to sell the apartment and leave.
Karin Viard has 123 screen credits in a career dating back to 1986. Their work spans 5 cinematic universes — most prominently Summer Things with 2 titles. Signature works include Perfect Nanny, Species, A Place for Her. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.
Universe traveler — spans 5 universes
Related entry on Wikidata (Q271944), public domain (CC0).
