Character Relationship Map: Animals

Characters

• Laura (played by Holliday Grainger) — protagonist

  Laura is a struggling writer who works as a barista and shares a close, heavily partying friendship and flat with Tyler in Dublin. She becomes engaged to concert pianist Jim while remaining attracted...

• Tyler (played by Alia Shawkat) — supporting

  Tyler is Laura's American best friend and flatmate, estranged from her family and immersed with Laura in an intense lifestyle of wine, drugs, casual sex, and late-night partying. She is also welcomed...

• Jim (played by Fra Fee) — supporting

  Jim is a concert pianist who meets Laura and becomes her fiancé. Shortly after their engagement, he gives up alcohol, while Laura continues partying with Tyler and begins spending nights with him. His...

• Marty (played by Dermot Murphy) — supporting

  Marty is a poet who becomes part of Laura and Tyler's social world through friendship with them and his circle of literary acquaintances. Laura is attracted to him, and his presence introduces another...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Laura → Marty (Romantic Attraction) — Laura's attraction to Marty complicates her emotional life.

  After Laura and Tyler become friends with Marty, the plot states that Laura is attracted to him.

• Laura → Jim (Romantic Fiance) — Their engagement introduces a serious alternative to Laura's previous lifestyle.

  Laura meets Jim, a concert pianist, and becomes engaged to him.

Story Dynamics

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

• Marty → Tyler (Social Friend) — Marty is part of the shared social circle that affects both women.

  The plot states that Laura and Tyler become friends with Marty and his circle of literary friends.

• Laura → Tyler (Social Best Friend) — Their friendship is the emotional center of the story.

  The plot identifies Laura and Tyler as best friends whose close friendship is central to the film.

Story Analysis

A friendship-centered story about changing relationships, women's roles, and finding a creative way forward.

Plot Progression

1. Wine, Drugs, and Friendship — Laura and Tyler share a close friendship as flatmates in Dublin. Their nights revolve around partying, wine, drugs, and each other's company.
2. An Engagement Changes Everything — Laura meets the concert pianist Jim and becomes engaged to him. Jim's decision to give up alcohol contrasts with Laura's continued nightlife.
3. The Literary Complication — Laura and Tyler become friends with Marty and his literary circle. Laura's attraction to Marty adds another emotional complication while her novel remains stalled.
4. Friendship Under Pressure — Romantic commitments, literary relationships, and changing priorities reshape Laura and Tyler's bond. The film explores questions about life and women's roles.
5. A Creative Way Forward — The story avoids a neat Hollywood resolution. Laura nevertheless begins to find creative momentum and a more hopeful direction.