Character Relationship Map: The Current War

Characters

• Thomas Edison (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) — protagonist

  Inventor of the electric lightbulb who promotes Direct Current (DC) technology. He fiercely guards his patents, sues Westinghouse, engages in a publicity war by demonstrating AC's dangers, and secretl...

• George Westinghouse (played by Michael Shannon) — protagonist

  Successful businessman and inventor who champions Alternating Current (AC) as a superior, cost-effective alternative to DC. He demonstrates AC technology, faces financial and personal hardships, succe...

• Nikola Tesla (played by Nicholas Hoult) — supporting

  Inventor who arrives in the US and initially works for Edison but leaves due to broken promises and ideological differences. Later approached by Westinghouse to collaborate on building a practical AC...

• Samuel Insull (played by Tom Holland) — supporting

  Presents Edison's competing bid to illuminate the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago on behalf of Edison.

• Bourke Cockran (played by Damien Molony) — supporting
• Franklin Pope (played by Stanley Townsend) — supporting

  Westinghouse's friend who dies in an electrical accident, causing personal tragedy for Westinghouse during the competition.

• William Kemmler (played by Conor MacNeill) — supporting

  The first person to die by electrocution, an event orchestrated by Edison to demonstrate the dangers of AC and damage its reputation.

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Thomas Edison → William Kemmler (Power Instrumentalized Subject) — Kemmler's execution is used within Edison's campaign against AC.

  Edison secretly supports the development of the electric chair, and William Kemmler becomes the first person to die by electrocution.

• Thomas Edison → Samuel Insull (Professional Representative) — Insull acts on Edison's behalf in the decisive exposition competition.

  Samuel Insull presents Edison's competing bid to illuminate the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

• Thomas Edison → Nikola Tesla (Professional Employer) — Edison initially employs Tesla within his electrical enterprise.

  Tesla arrives in the United States and begins working with Edison.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Bourke Cockran → Nikola Tesla (related)
• Bourke Cockran → Thomas Edison (related)
• Samuel Insull → George Westinghouse (Conflict Bid Competitor) — Insull directly opposes Westinghouse in the final contract competition.

  Insull presents Edison's bid while Westinghouse presents a competing proposal for the Chicago exposition.

• Thomas Edison → George Westinghouse (Conflict Rival) — They are the central technological and commercial rivals in the current war.

  Edison promotes Direct Current while Westinghouse champions Alternating Current. They compete to persuade cities across the United States to adopt the...

• George Westinghouse → Franklin Pope (Social Friend) — Pope's death becomes a major personal tragedy for Westinghouse.

  The plot identifies Franklin Pope as Westinghouse's friend, and Pope dies in an electrical accident.

• George Westinghouse → Nikola Tesla (Alliance Collaborator) — Their partnership combines Tesla's inventions with Westinghouse's commercial support.

  Westinghouse approaches Tesla after Tesla's unsuccessful attempt to work independently and proposes that they build a practical AC motor together.

Story Analysis

The film follows a technological and personal rivalry over whether DC or AC will define the future of electrical power.

Plot Progression

1. Lightbulbs and Rival Currents — Edison unveils the lightbulb and plans a DC distribution network. After Edison rejects Westinghouse's approach, Westinghouse commits himself to AC.
2. Tesla Changes Allegiance — Tesla joins Edison's team but becomes disillusioned by intellectual and financial disagreements. His departure adds a personal dimension to the growing technological rivalry.
3. Patents, Loss, and Pressure — Edison sues Westinghouse while both men struggle with technical and financial risks. Edison's bereavement and Pope's death deepen the pressure surrounding the competition.
4. The Deadly Publicity War — Edison sells the phonograph for funds and attacks AC through animal electrocutions. His secret support for the electric chair culminates in Kemmler's electrocution.
5. Chicago Decides the Future — Westinghouse exposes Edison's role in the electric chair campaign and joins forces with Tesla. Their AC system wins the Chicago exposition, while Edison turns toward motion pictures.