Character Relationship Map: Poor Things

Characters

• Bella Baxter (played by Emma Stone) — protagonist

  The central protagonist, a woman whose mind belongs to a fetus but whose body is that of a deceased pregnant woman. She navigates a journey of self-discovery, sexual awakening, and intellectual growth...

• Duncan Wedderburn (played by Mark Ruffalo) — protagonist

  A debauched lawyer who initially brings Bella to Lisbon for sexual conquest but loses control as she matures intellectually and emotionally. His reckless behavior leads to financial ruin and eventual...

• Godwin Baxter (played by Willem Dafoe) — supporting

  A brilliant but eccentric mad scientist who creates Bella by transplanting a fetus's brain into a deceased woman's body. He acts as her initial guardian and mentor, fostering her development before pa...

• Max McCandles (played by Ramy Youssef) — supporting

  A medical student initially tasked with documenting Bella's behavior who falls in love with her. He plays a crucial role in reuniting her with Godwin, supporting her return to London, and assisting he...

• Alfie Blessington (played by Christopher Abbott) — supporting

  Bella's abusive former husband, a violent and sadistic general who attempts to reassert control through imprisonment and threats of sexual violence. His downfall comes when he accidentally shoots hims...

• Toinette (played by Suzy Bemba) — supporting

  A fellow prostitute who becomes Bella's close friend and political mentor in Paris, introducing her to socialist ideals. After Bella's return to London, Toinette joins Max and Bella to start a new, in...

• Swiney (played by Kathryn Hunter) — supporting

  The madame of a Paris brothel where Bella works after arriving penniless. Bella comes under her tutelage, which facilitates her interactions with Toinette and her introduction to political philosophy.

Canonical Relationships

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

• Godwin Baxter → Alfie Blessington (Power Experimenter) — Godwin's scientific legacy enables Alfie's transformation.

  After Alfie shoots himself and passes out, Bella returns to Godwin's house, where she and Max transplant a goat's brain into Alfie's head.

• Swiney → Toinette (Professional Madame) — Swiney oversees the professional environment shared by Toinette and Bella.

  Toinette is identified as a fellow prostitute in the brothel where Bella comes under Madame Swiney's tutelage.

• Swiney → Bella Baxter (Professional Employer) — Swiney supervises Bella's work and adjustment to the brothel.

  Bella begins working at a Paris brothel and comes under Madame Swiney's tutelage.

• Bella Baxter → Alfie Blessington (Family Former Wife) — Bella learns that her previous identity was tied to Alfie through marriage.

  Alfie declares that Bella, whom he calls Victoria, was his wife before her disappearance.

• Max McCandles → Bella Baxter (Romantic Lover) — Max becomes Bella's devoted romantic partner.

  Max falls in love with Bella, proposes marriage, and later renews their marriage plans after returning to London.

• Max McCandles → Godwin Baxter (Professional Assistant) — Max begins as Godwin's observer and scientific assistant.

  Godwin recruits the medical student Max to record Bella's behavior.

• Bella Baxter → Duncan Wedderburn (Romantic Lover) — Their relationship begins through sexual attraction and travel.

  Bella runs away with Duncan to Lisbon, where they have near-constant intercourse.

Story Dynamics

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

• Toinette → Max McCandles (Alliance Household Ally) — Toinette becomes part of the protagonists' chosen community.

  Toinette joins Bella and Max to begin a new life in Godwin's house.

• Duncan Wedderburn → Max McCandles (Conflict Romantic Rival) — Duncan and Max represent competing relationships in Bella's life.

  Duncan takes Bella away before her proposed marriage to Max, while Max later tracks her down and reunites with her.

• Alfie Blessington → Max McCandles (Conflict Rival) — Alfie directly challenges Max's relationship with Bella.

  Alfie interrupts Bella and Max's wedding and attempts to reclaim Bella, whom Max intends to marry.

• Duncan Wedderburn → Godwin Baxter (Conflict Indirect Rival) — Duncan's influence competes indirectly with Godwin's guardianship.

  Godwin asks Max to bring Bella back, while Bella's return ends her journey with Duncan and restores her connection with Godwin.

• Godwin Baxter → Bella Baxter (Narrative Creator) — Godwin creates Bella through an experimental brain transplant.

  Godwin reveals that he replaced the deceased woman's brain with the brain of her fetus and named the resulting woman Bella Baxter.

• Bella Baxter → Toinette (Social Friend) — Toinette becomes Bella's closest friend outside her household.

  Bella befriends Toinette at the Paris brothel, and Toinette later joins Bella and Max in a new life.

Story Analysis

Bella's journey transforms imposed identities and controlling relationships into intellectual, sexual, and social self-determination.

Plot Progression

1. The Strange New Life — Godwin reveals Bella's artificial origin and supervises her early development. Max records her behavior and falls in love with her.
2. Escape Into Pleasure — Bella accepts Max's proposal but leaves with Duncan after discovering sexual pleasure. Their journey to Lisbon and the cruise ship exposes Duncan's controlling nature.
3. The World Beyond Desire — Bella encounters philosophy, gambling, and the suffering of the poor in Alexandria. Duncan's instability and financial recklessness leave them stranded in Marseille.
4. Parisian Independence — Bella works at Swiney's brothel after losing her money and accommodation. Toinette introduces her to socialism, while Bella finally abandons Duncan.
5. The Past Strikes Back — Max brings Bella home to the dying Godwin, but Alfie interrupts the wedding and claims her former identity as Victoria. Bella confronts Alfie's abuse before escaping his captivity.
6. A Chosen Future — Bella and Max transform Alfie with a goat's brain while Godwin dies peacefully. Bella, Max, and Toinette form a new household.