Character Relationship Map: Driven

Characters

• Jim Hoffman (played by Jason Sudeikis) — protagonist

  A pilot turned FBI informant relocated to San Diego with his family. He attempts to play both sides by introducing his former drug boss to John DeLorean and Agent Tisa. He testifies against DeLorean b...

• John DeLorean (played by Lee Pace) — protagonist

  A frustrated automobile designer and Hoffman's neighbor who throws parties to fund his futuristic car. He asks Hoffman to raise $30 million, leading to an undercover drug deal. He is arrested but acqu...

• Ellen Hoffman (played by Judy Greer) — supporting

  Hoffman's wife who accompanies him to Bolivia. She discovers his secret role as an FBI informant, which causes significant tension in their marriage as they navigate their new life in San Diego.

• Special Agent Benedict Tisa (played by Corey Stoll) — supporting

  The FBI handler assigned to Hoffman who pressures him to set up Morgan Hetrick. He orchestrates an undercover sting by posing as a drug dealer, loans federal money to DeLorean to facilitate the deal,...

• Tom Hoffman (played by Tyler Crumley) — minor
• Ryan Hoffman (played by Asher Miles Fallica) — minor
• Morgan Hetrick (played by Michael Cudlitz) — supporting

  Hoffman's former drug boss with millions in overseas accounts. He attends DeLorean's party, engages in drug use, and is subsequently arrested during the FBI's undercover sting operation orchestrated b...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Jim Hoffman → Special Agent Benedict Tisa (Professional Informant And Handler) — Tisa directs Jim's informant work, helps facilitate the undercover deal, and later promises to arrange the family's relocation through witness protection.

  After the FBI catches Jim with cocaine, he agrees to become an informant. Tisa is assigned as his handler and pressures him to set up Morgan Hetrick.

• Jim Hoffman → Ryan Hoffman (Family Father And Son) — Ryan travels with Jim and the family to Bolivia and later relocates with them to San Diego.

  The plot identifies Tom and Ryan as Jim's two sons, who accompany Jim and Ellen on the flight to Bolivia.

• Jim Hoffman → Tom Hoffman (Family Father And Son) — Tom travels with Jim and the family to Bolivia and later relocates with them to San Diego.

  The plot identifies Tom and Ryan as Jim's two sons, who accompany Jim and Ellen on the flight to Bolivia.

• Jim Hoffman → Ellen Hoffman (Family Husband And Wife) — Their marriage is strained when Jim reveals his secret cooperation with the FBI.

  Ellen is identified as Jim's wife and accompanies him on the flight to Bolivia. Jim tells her that he is an informant, which creates tension between t...

Story Dynamics

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

• Ellen Hoffman → John DeLorean (Social Family Friends) — Ellen is part of the family friendship that develops between the Hoffmans and the DeLoreans.

  The plot states that Jim's and DeLorean's families become friends after the two men discover they are neighbors.

• Morgan Hetrick → Special Agent Benedict Tisa (Conflict Arresting Agent And Suspect) — Tisa's undercover operation culminates in Morgan's arrest during the cocaine delivery.

  Tisa and other agents arrest Morgan and Katy when they deliver the cocaine.

• John DeLorean → Special Agent Benedict Tisa (Conflict Undercover Sting Opponents) — Tisa uses an undercover identity to facilitate the deal and arrest DeLorean.

  Tisa poses as a drug dealer when Jim introduces him to DeLorean. DeLorean completes the deal with undercover federal agents and is arrested.

• John DeLorean → Morgan Hetrick (Conflict Drug Deal Associates) — Their proposed cocaine deal brings them together, and Morgan is arrested during the delivery before DeLorean is arrested at the hotel.

  Jim brings Morgan to a party to meet DeLorean. Later, Jim introduces them as part of the undercover arrangement to move cocaine.

• Jim Hoffman → John DeLorean (Narrative Neighbor And Accomplice) — Their neighborly connection develops into a deal arranged through Jim, followed by DeLorean's arrest and Jim's inconclusive testimony.

  Jim discovers that DeLorean is his next-door neighbor, and their families become friends. Jim later introduces DeLorean to Morgan and Tisa for the und...

• Jim Hoffman → Morgan Hetrick (Conflict Former Boss And Informant) — Jim tries to play both sides while helping the FBI set up his former boss.

  Morgan is identified as Jim's former drug boss. Jim introduces Morgan to DeLorean and participates in the operation that leads to Morgan's arrest.

Story Analysis

Jim's attempt to balance FBI cooperation, old criminal ties, and a developing connection with DeLorean leads to an undercover deal and an ambiguous aftermath.

Plot Progression

1. Caught and Recruited — The FBI catches Jim arriving with cocaine and he agrees to inform. Tisa becomes his handler, and the family is relocated to San Diego.
2. Neighbors and Secrets — Jim meets DeLorean, his next-door neighbor, and their families become friends. Jim's admission to Ellen that he is an informant puts pressure on their marriage.
3. A Deal Takes Shape — DeLorean's fundraising parties bring Jim and Morgan together, while DeLorean's financial needs grow. Jim tells Tisa that DeLorean wants to move cocaine and helps arrange an undercover meeting.
4. The Undercover Sting — Tisa poses as a dealer, and federal money helps the proposed transaction proceed. Morgan is arrested during delivery, and DeLorean is arrested after completing the deal at a hotel.
5. Testimony and Aftermath — Jim's testimony cannot establish whether DeLorean suggested the deal, and DeLorean is acquitted. Tisa promises relocation for Jim's family, while DeLorean gives Jim a briefcase and car keys.