Character Relationship Map: Bully

Characters

• Marty Puccio (played by Brad Renfro) — protagonist

  Marty Puccio is a local deli employee and Bobby Kent's longtime friend, whose relationship with Bobby is defined by emotional and physical abuse dating back to childhood. He joins the murder plot, rep...

• Lisa Connelly (played by Rachel Miner) — protagonist

  Lisa Connelly is a South Florida high school dropout who becomes pregnant after having sex with Marty, though she initially believes Bobby is the father. After learning about Bobby's abuse of Marty an...

• Bobby Kent (played by Nick Stahl) — supporting

  Bobby Kent is a local deli employee whose violent control over Marty drives the central conflict. He beats and abuses Marty, rapes Ali, and humiliates Marty at a gay bar. Lured to the Everglades by Al...

• Ali Willis (played by Bijou Phillips) — supporting

  Ali Willis is a South Florida high school dropout who becomes involved with Bobby and later dates Donny. Bobby rapes her while forcing her to watch pornography, helping motivate the murder plot. Ali l...

• Marty's Brother (played by Marc Pearson) — minor
• Hitman's Father (played by Larry Clark) — minor
• Heather Swallers (played by Kelli Garner) — supporting

  Heather Swallers is a troubled friend of Ali who has recently been released from rehabilitation. Ali recruits her for the murder plan, and Heather gives Donny the signal that begins the attack, though...

• The Hitman (played by Leo Fitzpatrick) — supporting

  The Hitman is presented as a supposed contract killer and is also described as a friend of Ali. He participates in the revised Everglades plan, bludgeons Bobby with a baseball bat, and forces Cousin D...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Hitman's Father → The Hitman (father)
• Marty's Brother → Marty Puccio (brother)

Story Dynamics

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

• Heather Swallers → Bobby Kent (Conflict Murder Accomplice)

  Heather haphazardly gives the signal that allows the attack on Bobby to begin.

• Heather Swallers → Ali Willis (Alliance Conspiracy Associate)

  Heather joins the murder group, gives the signal during the canal attack, and runs with Ali afterward.

• Marty Puccio → Ali Willis (Social Double-Date Acquaintance)

  Marty and Ali have sex in the back seat of Bobby's parked car during the group's double date.

• Marty Puccio → Lisa Connelly (Social Confidant)

  Lisa tells Marty that people suspect Bobby is attracted to him, and Marty discloses the history of Bobby's abuse.

• Ali Willis → Lisa Connelly (Social Friend)

  Ali and Lisa befriend local deli employees, participate in the same plans, and flee together after the stabbing.

• Bobby Kent → Ali Willis (Conflict Sexual Abuser)

  Bobby rapes Ali while forcing her to watch gay pornography with him.

• Bobby Kent → Lisa Connelly (Conflict Rapist)

  After beating Marty unconscious, Bobby rapes Lisa, leading her to believe that her pregnancy may be Bobby's.

• Bobby Kent → Marty Puccio (Conflict Abuser)

  Bobby repeatedly emotionally and physically abuses Marty, and the abuse began when they were boys.

Story Analysis

A cycle of abuse drives a group of young people toward murder, concealment, exposure, and punishment.

Plot Progression

1. Friendship Turns Abusive
2. Humiliation Fuels Revenge
3. The Failed Shooting
4. Murder And Exposure