The 5th Wave Characters

Dr. Pam is the doctor who inspects new recruits at Camp Haven. Although she seem kind at first, she is ultimately ruthless, helping indoctrinate children by putting tracking chips in them and by tricking them into executing fellow humans by pressing a button.

Ringer is a member of Ben’s squad who arrives to replace Tank. She is an expert marksman who initially challenges Ben’s authority but ultimately learns to trust him. She helps Ben realize that Vosch and the other commanders are the aliens and their true enemies.

Cassie’s mom dies of pestilence in the 3rd Wave. She was the last thing keeping Cassie, her dad, and Sammy at their old house, and so her death marks the point when they all journey into the unknown.

Crisco is a boy with no family who lives at the same refugee camp as Cassie. Although he sometimes annoys Cassie, she is horrified when she witnesses his death. His death motivates Cassie herself to kill in self-defense for the first time.

Parker is a medic who treats Sammy kindly on the bus to Camp Haven, although Sammy isn’t sure if he can believe Parker’s positive comments about the camp.

Flintstone is a member of Ben’s squad. He challenges Ben’s authority and ends up accidentally killing himself as a result.

Oompa is a member of Ben’s squad who gets killed by shrapnel from an explosion Ben sets off, causing the squad to challenge Ben’s authority. His real name is Kenny.

Teacup is the youngest member of Ben’s squad until Sammy arrives. She seems tough but goes into shock after the death of Oompa.

Poundcake is a member of Ben’s squad who is the best marksman in the group.

Dumbo is a member of Ben’s squad who becomes the medic. He is inexperienced but competent, although he fails to save Oompa’s life.

Sissy is Ben’s younger sister who appears to him sometimes when he’s feeling delirious. Ben is haunted by his inability to protect her and keeps her locket with him.

Tank is a member of Ben’s squad who starts to question his training and dies as a result—supposedly by suicide, although it is implied that it may have been an execution.

Chris was living with Ben back in a refugee camp when Ben was sick and known as Zombie. Dr. Pam convinces Ben to execute Chris by falsely claiming that Chris is an alien.

Dorothy was a recruit at Camp Haven who started killing her fellow recruits. Future recruits refer to going crazy or questioning orders as “going Dorothy.”

Branch is a soldier who kills Crisco, then gets shot in the head by Cassie.

Megan is a sickly-looking girl that Sammy meets on the bus to Camp Haven. They get sorted into separate groups, and he doesn’t see her again.

Hutchfield runs the refugee camp where Cassie, her dad, and Sammy end up. He was in the military and is a harsh leader.