Julian is defined by his impotence. He is a man paralyzed by a "spiritual debt," often seen staring at his hands—symbols of his inability to act or his desire for purification.
A "Lady Macbeth" figure, she represents the toxic past that Julian cannot escape. Her presence is what anchors Julian to his hellish reality. 3. Visual Language and Color Theory subtitle Only God Forgives
The characters are less "people" and more archetypal forces: Julian is defined by his impotence