The Retainers' purpose seems to be to retain Hank and other individuals in The Other Place, preventing them from escaping or being retrieved by external allies. They fulfill this with the use of psychic powers, which enables them to fly, teleport, use telekinesis, and summon Spikes, as well as having the ability to regenerate any damage sustained to them. It is unknown if they possess any other powers than the ones shown so far. Retainers may be summoned if one becomes a serious problem there.