Character Relationship Map: The Competition

Characters

• Lauren (played by Thora Birch) — protagonist

  Lauren is one of the two principal characters in this 2018 American romantic comedy, portrayed by Thora Birch, who also produced the film. The available material confirms her central billing but provi...

• Calvin Chesney (played by Chris Klein) — protagonist

  Calvin Chesney is one of the two principal characters in this 2018 American romantic comedy, portrayed by Chris Klein. The available material confirms his central billing alongside the other lead, but...

• Gena (played by Claire Coffee) — supporting

  Gena is mentioned during a confrontation between Calvin and Jacob. Jacob accuses Calvin of having slept with her while Calvin was in law school, but Calvin denies the claim. The supplied dialogue does...

• Jacob (played by David Blue) — supporting

  Jacob is Calvin's longtime friend and is increasingly interested in Lauren. He is developing a dating app whose idealized female character was modeled on her. After Lauren and Calvin apparently separa...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Jacob → Lauren (Romantic Interest) — Jacob offers Lauren affection and support, but she objects that he does not know how troubled she really is.

  Jacob becomes increasingly interested in Lauren, comforts her after she and Calvin apparently separate, and tells her he wants to take care of her.

• Lauren → Calvin Chesney (Romantic Partners In A Trust Wager) — Their debate becomes a wager about fidelity, while their own differing expectations for commitment put their relationship under strain.

  Lauren and Calvin disagree about whether people in relationships remain faithful when tempted. They make a competition out of the question, and Lauren...

Story Dynamics

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

• Calvin Chesney → Gena (Conflict Alleged Past Affair) — Gena is named in Jacob's accusation about Calvin's past, but the alleged affair is neither confirmed nor resolved in the supplied plot.

  Jacob claims Calvin slept with Gena during law school. Calvin denies the claim, and the supplied dialogue does not resolve the accusation.

• Calvin Chesney → Jacob (Social Longtime Friends) — Their longstanding friendship is strained when Jacob becomes interested in Lauren and later accuses Calvin of being unfaithful.

  The plot describes Jacob as Calvin's longtime friend who remains close to him as the competition unfolds.

Story Analysis

Lauren and Calvin turn a disagreement about fidelity into a wager that tests their friends and places their own relationship under pressure.

Plot Progression

1. A Test of Fidelity — Lauren and Calvin debate whether people remain faithful when tempted. Lauren proposes putting the belief to a real-world test, and they agree to a competition with personal stakes.
2. Temptation and Tension — The competition begins as each arranges tempting situations for the other's friends. Jacob stays close to Calvin, grows interested in Lauren, and reveals that she inspired a character in his dating ap...
3. Commitments Under Pressure — Calvin considers a law-firm partnership but says he cannot accept it if it is tied to Lauren. The competition continues to strain friendships and entangle the test with the characters' own feelings.
4. An Unresolved Accusation — After Lauren and Calvin apparently separate, Jacob comforts Lauren and offers to care for her. Calvin finds them together, and Jacob accuses him of having slept with Gena during law school; Calvin den...