Character Relationship Map: Mr. Wrong

Characters

• Martha Alston (played by Ellen DeGeneres) — protagonist

  Martha is a 31-year-old associate producer in San Diego whose family pressures her to marry. After realizing that Whitman is a manipulative sociopath, she tries to expose and escape him, but is abduct...

• Whitman Crawford (played by Bill Pullman) — protagonist

  Whitman is Martha's seemingly charming new boyfriend who claims to be a poet and investor. Beneath his pleasant persona, he is narcissistic, deceptive, and controlling. He stalks Martha, sabotages her...

• Bob (played by Brad William Henke) — supporting

  Bob is Inga's accomplice in harassing Martha and attempting to kill her in Mexico. Despite this association, he later helps Walter free Martha from jail after the wedding. Bob then meets Martha and Wa...

• Mrs. Crawford (played by Joan Plowright) — supporting

  Mrs. Crawford is Whitman's strange and eccentric mother. Martha meets her while dating Whitman, and the encounter contributes to Martha's growing belief that he is not the ideal partner he pretends to...

• Walter (played by John Livingston) — supporting

  Walter is Martha's younger co-worker, who initially asks her on a date and is turned down. He later becomes the only person from her office who resists Whitman's influence. After Martha calls for help...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Martha Alston → Walter (Professional Coworker) — Walter is Martha's younger coworker and remains connected to her through the television office.

  Martha works at a local television talk show with Walter, who initially asks her out.

• Whitman Crawford → Mrs. Crawford (Family Mother And Son) — Mrs. Crawford is Whitman's mother and part of his personal background.

  Martha meets Whitman's strange and eccentric mother, identified in the character list as Mrs. Crawford.

• Martha Alston → Whitman Crawford (Romantic Former Lover) — Their romance develops rapidly before Whitman's manipulative behavior destroys Martha's trust.

  Martha and Whitman meet at a bar, have sex, and begin dating. Martha later decides to end the relationship.

Story Dynamics

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

• Whitman Crawford → Walter (Conflict Rival) — Walter directly opposes Whitman's control over Martha.

  Walter responds to Martha's call for rescue, arrives at the forced wedding, and intervenes against Whitman's attempt to lunge at Martha.

• Bob → Whitman Crawford (Conflict Adversary) — Their connection becomes hostile during the confrontation surrounding Martha.

  Bob participates in the attempt to kill Martha, while Whitman drives the attackers away at gunpoint.

• Martha Alston → Bob (Alliance Unexpected Ally) — Bob provides essential assistance despite previously participating in the threat against Martha.

  Bob helps Walter spring Martha from the Mexican jail after her arrest.

• Walter → Bob (Alliance Rescue Collaborator) — Walter and Bob cooperate directly to free Martha.

  Walter springs Martha out of jail with Bob's help, then meets Bob in the desert.

• Martha Alston → Mrs. Crawford (Social Acquaintance) — Their contact comes through Martha's relationship with Whitman.

  Martha meets Whitman's strange and eccentric mother after becoming involved with Whitman.

Story Analysis

A pressured woman escapes a deceptive romance that becomes stalking, abduction, and forced marriage before finding freedom with a trusted coworker.

Plot Progression

1. A Chance At Romance — Martha feels pressured to marry and becomes disappointed by dating. A chance encounter with Whitman quickly develops into an intense romance.
2. The Charming Mask — Whitman impresses Martha's family and presents himself as an ideal partner. Meeting his mother and witnessing his bizarre behavior make Martha question him.
3. Obsession Takes Control — Martha tries to end the relationship, but Whitman refuses to accept her decision. He manipulates her family, defeats her investigation, and damages her professional life.
4. The Mexican Abduction — Whitman attacks and abducts Martha, taking her toward Mexico for a forced wedding. Martha contacts Walter, while danger from Whitman's hostile associates follows her.
5. Wedding And Escape — Walter reaches the church, but the rescue becomes chaotic and Martha shoots Whitman as he lunges at her. After her arrest, Walter and Bob free her, and she escapes with Walter.