Character Relationship Map: The Ex

Characters

• Tom Reilly (played by Zach Braff) — protagonist

  Protagonist; a struggling cook who takes a job at his father-in-law's ad agency after being fired, leading to a intense workplace rivalry with his wife's ex-boyfriend.

• Sofia Kowalski (played by Amanda Peet) — protagonist

  Tom's wife and a former attorney who steps back to become a full-time mother before resuming her legal career after overcoming Chip's manipulation.

• Chip Sanders (played by Jason Bateman) — supporting

  Antagonist; a strict ad agency supervisor and Sofia's ex-boyfriend who fakes paraplegia to manipulate coworkers, sabotage Tom, and rekindle his obsession with Sofia.

• Bob Kowalski (played by Charles Grodin) — supporting

  Sofia's father and the assistant director at the ad agency who later supports Tom in launching his own advertising venture.

• Amelia Kowalski (played by Mia Farrow) — supporting

  Sofia's mother and Bob's wife who appears during family events and is initially deceived by Chip's fabricated disability.

Canonical Relationships

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

• Chip Sanders → Bob Kowalski (Professional Colleague)
• Amelia Kowalski → Tom Reilly (Family Mother-in-Law)
• Bob Kowalski → Tom Reilly (Family Father-in-Law)
• Tom Reilly → Chip Sanders (Professional Subordinate)
• Chip Sanders → Sofia Kowalski (Romantic Ex-Boyfriend)
• Tom Reilly → Sofia Kowalski (Family Spouse)

Story Analysis

A struggling family man confronts a manipulative former boyfriend whose workplace sabotage threatens his marriage and self-worth.

Plot Progression

1. A Family Under Pressure
2. The Hostile New Workplace
3. A Photograph's False Promise
4. The Chair Reveals the Threat
5. A Bitter Exit
6. Roles Reversed