Character Relationship Map: The Square

Characters

• Raymond Yale (played by David Roberts) — protagonist

  Raymond is a construction foreman who is having a secret affair with Carla, despite being married himself. He takes kickbacks from worker Barney while saving money to leave with Carla, then plans the...

• Carla Smith (played by Claire van der Boom) — protagonist

  Carla is Smithy's wife and Raymond's lover; she lives across the river from Raymond in their small Australian town. After seeing Smithy hide a bag of cash, she persuades Raymond to steal it and takes...

• Billy (played by Joel Edgerton) — supporting

  Billy is a local arsonist whom Raymond hires to burn Smithy's house after Carla steals the hidden cash, making the fire appear accidental. Unaware that Smithy's mother is inside, he starts the blaze t...

• Lily (played by Hanna Mangan Lawrence) — supporting

  Lily is Billy's sister. When Raymond cannot reach Billy by phone, he tells Lily to stop the planned fire, but she fails to alert Billy before he leaves. Her omission contributes to the blaze that kill...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Raymond Yale → Billy (Professional Employer And Contractor) — Raymond uses Billy as the operative for the planned arson.

  Raymond Yale hires Billy to burn down a house and make the fire appear accidental.

• Billy → Lily (Family Siblings) — Lily is Billy's sister and becomes involved in the failed warning.

  Raymond reaches Billy's sister Lily when he tries to cancel the arson plan.

• Raymond Yale → Carla Smith (Romantic Lovers) — Their secret affair and shared escape plan drive the central tragedy.

  Raymond Yale and Carla Smith are lovers who plan to leave their respective spouses and run away together.

Story Dynamics

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

• Carla Smith → Billy (Conflict Hostage Takers) — Their financial arrangement ends with Billy threatening both lovers.

  Billy forces Raymond Yale and Carla Smith onto their knees and demands the remaining money before the final gunfight.

• Raymond Yale → Lily (Alliance Emergency Contact) — Raymond relies on Lily to communicate an urgent warning to Billy.

  When Raymond's phone is dying, he tells Lily to abort the plan because someone may be inside the house.

Story Analysis

A secret affair becomes a chain of criminal choices that destroys the lovers' hope of escape.

Plot Progression

1. A Secret Across the River — Raymond Yale and Carla Smith maintain a forbidden affair while imagining a future together. Raymond's construction kickbacks reveal his willingness to compromise his ethics for their escape.
2. The Money in the Ceiling — Carla discovers hidden cash and persuades Raymond to steal it. They design a plan involving theft and an apparently accidental fire.
3. Fire Without Warning — Carla takes the money, but an unexpected occupant threatens the plan. Raymond's warning fails to reach Billy before the house is set ablaze.
4. Blackmail and Consequences — The missing money triggers a ruthless search, while threatening Christmas cards expose Raymond to blackmail. Violence and suspicion spread through the town.
5. The Escape That Ends — Raymond and Carla attempt to flee, but Billy confronts them over the unpaid money. The final gunfight destroys their escape and leaves Raymond alone.