Character Relationship Map: Band Aid

Characters

• Anna (played by Zoe Lister-Jones) — protagonist

  Anna is one half of a troubled married couple whose escalating arguments expose resentment over chores, sex, and emotional pain. She helps Ben turn their garage into a rehearsal space and reconnects w...

• Ben (played by Adam Pally) — supporting

  Ben is Anna’s husband and the other central figure in the story. He argues with her about domestic responsibilities, sexual frustration, and grief, then joins her in forming a garage band. He struggle...

• Dave (played by Fred Armisen) — supporting

  Dave is Anna and Ben’s neighbor, who visits and describes his past in an unusual solo percussion group. His awkward or possibly unsettling presence makes them initially question whether he is dangerou...

• Grace (played by Hannah Simone) — supporting

  Grace is connected to Anna and Ben through the practical preparations for a performance. Before appearing onstage, one of them mentions taking muscle relaxants obtained from Grace to calm down. The pl...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Anna → Ben (Family Spouses) — Anna and Ben are married partners whose relationship forms the film's central emotional conflict.

  The plot explicitly describes Anna and Ben's marriage and shows their domestic arguments, shared home, and unresolved future together.

Story Dynamics

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

• Grace → Anna (Unknown Medication Source) — Grace is linked to the couple's attempt to manage nerves through medication, although the specific recipient is not identified.

  Before a show, the plot mentions that one of the couple took muscle relaxants from Grace to calm down; the reference connects Grace to their pre-perfo...

• Ben → Dave (Social Neighbor Acquaintances) — Ben's connection with Dave begins socially but becomes relevant to the band's plans.

  Dave visits Anna and Ben at their home and becomes part of their discussions about music.

• Anna → Dave (Social Neighbor Acquaintances) — Anna knows Dave as a neighbor whose awkward visit affects her view of the band.

  Dave, their neighbor, stops by and talks about his past in an unusual solo percussion group.

Story Analysis

A married couple uses music to expose resentment, grief, and uncertainty about whether their relationship can survive.

Plot Progression

1. Resentment In The Kitchen — Anna and Ben's disagreement over a dish exposes deeper resentment about chores, sex, and their language toward each other. Their repeated insults reveal how deeply conflict has settled into the marria...
2. A Garage Full Of Music — The couple turns their garage into a rehearsal space after Anna rediscovers an old guitar. Dave's awkward visit complicates their social world but also makes him relevant to their musical plans.
3. The Band Faces The Stage — Anna, Ben, and Dave struggle with nerves and the practical demands of performing together. Their chaotic stage beginning shows that the band cannot easily separate creativity from anxiety.
4. Private Wounds Resurface — The band's efforts continue while Anna and Ben's private relationship deteriorates. A failed sexual encounter exposes embarrassment, frustration, and emotional disconnection.
5. Freedom Without Closure — The couple confronts the loss of their baby and their incompatible ways of grieving. Ben apologizes and admits his fear, but Anna's final response leaves their marriage and future unresolved.