Character Relationship Map: Tar

Characters

• Barry Greenwood (played by Timothy Bottoms) — protagonist

  Barry Greenwood is an injured member of the Greenwood family who remains at the center of the final sequence. Rose finds him and tries to keep him conscious, while he asks about his father and recalls...

• Homeless Man/Carl (played by Graham Greene) — supporting

  Homeless Man/Carl is a former young assistant archaeologist who worked near the La Brea tar pits. After witnessing something emerge when the ground was disturbed, he warns the frightened group about t...

• Zach Greenwood (played by Aaron Wolf) — supporting

  Zach Greenwood is a member of the Greenwood family who is seen during the building’s chaotic confrontation with the awakened threat. The available plot account does not specify his actions or fate, bu...

• Diana (played by Nicole Alexandra Shipley) — supporting

  Diana is part of the group trying to flee after the creature attacks and the building remains unstable. During the attempted escape, she is pulled toward danger while other people are lost. The plot p...

• Rose (played by Emily Peachey) — supporting

  Rose is one of the survivors attempting to escape after the building and ground become dangerous. Near the end, she finds an injured Barry Greenwood and works to keep him conscious while he speaks abo...

• Marigold (played by Tiffany Shepis) — supporting

  Marigold is one of the people caught in the building’s supernatural crisis. The plot does not describe a specific action by her, but later confirms that she is dead after the creature attacks and the...

• Ben (played by Sandy Danto) — supporting

  Ben is one of the group members who confronts the awakened creature during the building’s crisis. He succeeds in killing it, but the danger does not end because the structure and ground remain hazardo...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Barry Greenwood → Zach Greenwood (Family Member) — Barry and Zach belong to the same Greenwood family.

  The plot identifies Barry Greenwood and Zach Greenwood as members of the Greenwood family.

Story Dynamics

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

• Marigold → Ben (Social Survival Group Member) — Marigold and Ben are connected through the group's attack and casualties.

  Marigold is present during the creature crisis, while Ben kills the creature; Marigold is later confirmed dead.

• Diana → Barry Greenwood (Social Group Member) — Diana and Barry share the same survival crisis.

  Diana and Barry are both part of the group facing the awakened threat; Diana is pulled toward danger while Barry later remains injured during the esca...

• Ben → Diana (Alliance Survival Ally) — Ben's intervention supports Diana's group during the attack.

  Ben kills the creature before the survivors attempt to flee, during the same crisis in which Diana is pulled toward danger.

• Ben → Rose (Alliance Survival Ally) — Ben and Rose contribute different forms of support to the surviving group.

  Ben kills the creature during the group's desperate struggle, while Rose later assists the injured Barry during the escape.

• Ben → Barry Greenwood (Alliance Survival Ally) — Ben's action directly helps Barry's group survive the attack.

  Ben kills the attacking creature, allowing the survivors, including Barry, to continue trying to escape.

• Homeless Man/Carl → Diana (Alliance Warning Source) — Carl attempts to prepare Diana and the group for the threat.

  The homeless man warns the frightened group about the entity beneath Los Angeles before the attacks escalate.

• Homeless Man/Carl → Rose (Alliance Warning Source) — Carl's testimony gives Rose information about the danger beneath the building.

  Carl explains to the group that people rejected his warnings about the Man of the Tar.

• Homeless Man/Carl → Zach Greenwood (Narrative Informant) — Carl functions as a warning source for Zach and the other survivors.

  Carl tells the frightened group, which includes the Greenwood family, about his archaeological experience and the creature he witnessed.

• Homeless Man/Carl → Barry Greenwood (Narrative Informant) — Carl provides crucial information about the supernatural threat facing Barry and the others.

  The homeless man explains that he witnessed something emerge from disturbed ground and warns the frightened group about the Man of the Tar.

• Rose → Barry Greenwood (Alliance Protector) — Rose actively supports Barry during the escape.

  Rose finds an injured Barry and tries to keep him conscious.

Story Analysis

A family and their acquaintances confront an ancient underground horror awakened beneath Los Angeles.

Plot Progression

1. The Pit Beneath Los Angeles — The story introduces the history of the La Brea tar pits and the ancient warnings surrounding the unseen force beneath them. The modern building sits above a danger connected to that history.
2. A Deadline Under Pressure — The Greenwood family and their acquaintances empty a building under a strict six a.m. deadline. Personal frustrations and Barry's abandoned dreams create tension before the supernatural events begin.
3. The Warning Returns — Shaking, failing lights, strange noises, and black tar reveal that something beneath the city has awakened. Carl explains his archaeological experience and warns the group about the Man of the Tar.
4. Attack In The Building — The group debates whether to stay together or find a telephone, but the creature attacks before they can secure safety. Zach is seen in the chaos and Marigold is confirmed dead.
5. Escape Without Closure — Ben kills the creature, but the building and ground remain dangerous during the attempted escape. Diana is pulled toward danger, Rose finds the injured Barry, and the underground horror remains unreso...