Character Relationship Map: Aloft

Characters

• Nana Kunning (played by Jennifer Connelly) — protagonist

  Nana Kunning is a struggling mother whose son Gully has an inoperable brain tumour. After discovering an apparent healing ability, she trains under a faith healer and begins treating others through de...

• Ivan (played by Cillian Murphy) — protagonist

  Ivan is Nana Kunning's surviving son and Gully's brother. As a child, he accidentally drives their vehicle onto an ice-covered lake, causing Gully's death. At 31, he breeds falcons, remains estranged...

• Gully (played by Winta McGrath) — supporting

  Gully is Nana Kunning's son and Ivan's brother, suffering from an inoperable brain tumour. He travels with Nana and Ivan seeking help from a faith healer, but is not selected for treatment. When Young...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Ivan → Gully (Family Brothers) — The brothers share a close but tragically dangerous childhood bond.

  Ivan and Gully travel with Nana, and Ivan attempts to drive Gully home when he becomes worried and bored.

• Nana Kunning → Gully (Family Mother) — Nana is devoted to finding help for her seriously ill son.

  Nana brings Gully, who has an inoperable brain tumour, to seek healing.

• Nana Kunning → Ivan (Family Mother) — Nana is Ivan's mother, but grief creates a prolonged separation between them.

  Nana takes Ivan and Gully to the healer's isolated location and later abandons ten-year-old Ivan after Gully's death.

Story Analysis

A fractured family confronts grief, abandonment, faith, and the possibility of emotional healing.

Plot Progression

1. The Failed Miracle — Nana brings Ivan and Gully to an isolated healing gathering. Gully is not chosen, the falcon is killed, and Nana discovers that she may possess healing power.
2. Learning To Heal — Nana is trained to build healing structures and successfully attempts to help a child. Ivan misunderstands what he sees, setting the family on a tragic course.
3. The Frozen Loss — Ivan drives Gully away from the retreat, but the vehicle crashes through lake ice. Gully dies, and Nana abandons Ivan while devoting herself to healing.
4. Across The Ice — As an adult, Ivan begins a journey toward Nana's retreat after learning that an ill traveler also seeks her help. Their route brings old fears and new conflicts to the surface.
5. The White Stone — Ivan confronts Nana about abandoning him, and Nana responds with consolation rather than denial. Ivan uses the stone she gave him to offer hope at the final lottery.