Character Relationship Map: Proxima

Characters

• Sarah Loreau (played by Eva Green) — protagonist

  Sarah Loreau is a French astronaut and the late addition to the Proxima crew. As Stella’s primary caregiver after separating from Thomas, she struggles with leaving her daughter, yet trains with deter...

• Mike Shannon (played by Matt Dillon) — supporting

  Mike Shannon is the American captain of the mission and initially treats Sarah as an unwelcome replacement, openly preferring a male substitute. Her persistence during training changes his view; after...

• Stella Akerman Loreau (played by Zélie Boulant-Lemesle) — supporting

  Stella Akerman Loreau is Sarah’s daughter and the person most affected by her mother’s departure. During a visit, anxiety and boredom lead her to run away, and she later reminds Sarah of a broken prom...

• Thomas Akerman (played by Lars Eidinger) — supporting

  Thomas Akerman is Sarah’s separated spouse and Stella’s caregiver during Sarah’s mission preparation. He and Stella miss a final pre-quarantine meeting with Sarah, but he later watches the rocket laun...

• Mike's Son (played by Alexis Nouhra) — minor
• Mike's Son (played by Raphaël Nouhra) — minor

Canonical Relationships

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

• Mike's Son → Mike Shannon (son)
• Mike's Son → Mike Shannon (son)
• Sarah Loreau → Mike Shannon (Professional Captain And Crew Member) — Their professional relationship shifts from hostility to respect.

  Mike is identified as the mission's American captain, while Sarah is a late addition to the crew. He initially prefers a male substitute, then comes t...

• Thomas Akerman → Stella Akerman Loreau (Family Father And Daughter) — Thomas cares for Stella while Sarah prepares to leave Earth.

  The plot identifies Stella as Sarah and Thomas's daughter and says Stella stays with Thomas during Sarah's mission preparation.

• Sarah Loreau → Thomas Akerman (Family Separated Spouses) — They share responsibility for Stella despite their separation.

  The plot says Sarah and Thomas are separated. Sarah leaves Stella with Thomas while preparing for her mission.

• Sarah Loreau → Stella Akerman Loreau (Family Mother And Daughter) — Sarah's bond with Stella is the central emotional relationship in the story.

  The plot identifies Stella as Sarah's daughter and says Sarah is her primary caregiver. Sarah breaks quarantine to take Stella to see the rocket befor...

Story Analysis

An astronaut pursues a demanding mission while confronting the emotional cost of leaving her daughter.

Plot Progression

1. A Place on the Crew — Sarah is chosen as a late addition to the Proxima crew, a mission linked to future Mars exploration. Excitement is complicated by the prospect of leaving Stella with Thomas.
2. Proving Her Place — Mike initially rejects Sarah and favors a male substitute. Sarah's persistence in training gradually changes his view, while the visit with Stella exposes the strain of combining family and mission de...
3. The Last Chance — Mike offers Sarah humane reassurance as she struggles with separation from Stella. Thomas and Stella miss the final pre-quarantine meeting, leaving Sarah devastated.
4. A Promise Before Launch — Sarah sees Stella through quarantine glass and hears her reminder about their promise to see the rocket together. Sarah sneaks out to take Stella to the rocket before departing, then launches as Thoma...