Character Relationship Map: The Mountain

Characters

• Andy (played by Tye Sheridan) — protagonist

  Young introvert who works at his father's ice rink. After his father's sudden death, he travels with Dr. Wallace Fiennes as a photographer and assistant documenting lobotomies. He uses a planchette to...

• Dr. Wallace Fiennes (played by Jeff Goldblum) — protagonist

  Family friend and psychiatrist who performed the lobotomy on Andy's mother. He invites Andy to accompany him on a road trip between asylums to perform and document lobotomies. He performs the procedur...

• Susan (played by Hannah Gross) — supporting

  Patient at an asylum exhibiting rebellious behavior. Daughter of Jack. She seduces Andy, leading to a sexual encounter interrupted by Wallace, who then performs a lobotomy on her. Later shows affectio...

• Jack (played by Denis Lavant) — supporting

  Susan's father who requests a lobotomy for his daughter's rebellious behavior. Appears drunk and rants philosophically about life and art. Hosts music therapy sessions at his home and provides a tempo...

• Frederick (played by Udo Kier) — supporting

  Andy's father who runs an ice rink. His wife is institutionalized and lobotomized. He dies suddenly on the ice, which triggers Andy's subsequent journey and encounter with Dr. Wallace Fiennes.

Canonical Relationships

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

• Andy → Susan (Romantic Sexual Partner) — Their sexual encounter becomes Andy's first sexual experience and deepens his attachment to Susan.

  Susan seduces Andy, and they start having sex while Wallace prepares his equipment.

• Jack → Dr. Wallace Fiennes (Professional Client And Doctor) — Jack seeks Wallace's medical intervention for Susan.

  Jack requests that Wallace perform a lobotomy on Susan because of her rebellious behavior.

• Dr. Wallace Fiennes → Susan (Professional Doctor And Patient) — Wallace treats Susan as an institutional patient and performs her lobotomy.

  Jack requests that Wallace perform a lobotomy on Susan, and Wallace subsequently performs the procedure.

• Andy → Frederick (Family Son) — Frederick is Andy's father and employer before his sudden death.

  The plot identifies Frederick as Andy's father and states that Andy works at his father's ice rink.

• Jack → Susan (Family Father) — Jack is Susan's father and acts on her behalf within the asylum system.

  The plot states that Susan is Jack's daughter, and Jack requests a lobotomy for her.

• Andy → Dr. Wallace Fiennes (Professional Assistant) — Andy works under Wallace while documenting asylum visits and lobotomies.

  Wallace invites Andy to travel with him, with Andy serving as his photographer, journalist, and assistant.

Story Dynamics

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

• Andy → Jack (Social Temporary Guest) — Jack's home becomes a temporary refuge and shared social space for Andy and Susan.

  After Andy returns by hitchhiking, he is later dropped off at Jack's home, where Andy and Susan attend Jack's music therapy session.

Story Analysis

Andy moves through grief, institutional violence, and psychological uncertainty while seeking connection with his mother and Susan.

Plot Progression

1. The Empty Ice Rink — Andy works for Frederick at the family ice rink after his mother has been institutionalized and lobotomized. Frederick's sudden death leaves Andy vulnerable to Wallace's invitation.
2. A Journey Through Asylums — Andy travels with Wallace as a photographer, journalist, and assistant, documenting lobotomies at different institutions. At night, he uses a planchette in attempts to contact his mother's spirit.
3. Susan's Irreversible Fate — Andy is directed toward Susan, whose father Jack requests a lobotomy for her rebellious behavior. Susan and Andy begin a sexual relationship before Wallace interrupts and performs the procedure.
4. Defiance In The Hallway — Andy returns to Jack's house and encounters Susan's affection, but later witnesses institutional violence. He imitates a restrained patient's behavior, forcing Wallace to confront his mental state.
5. The Mountain's Silent Edge — Andy submits to Wallace's lobotomy and is then left at Jack's home. He and Susan leave in Jack's car, ending with Andy standing in the snow and facing the peak.