Character Relationship Map: Thirteen

Characters

• Tracy (played by Evan Rachel Wood) — protagonist

  Tracy is a smart, mild-mannered 13-year-old honors student whose life changes after befriending Evie. Seeking to escape her childish image, she begins stealing, skipping school, using drugs, and cutti...

• Evie (played by Nikki Reed) — protagonist

  Evie is Tracy's stylish and popular classmate who introduces her to shoplifting, drugs, sexual experimentation, and other destructive behavior. She stays with Tracy and Melanie while claiming to be ab...

• Melanie (played by Holly Hunter) — supporting

  Melanie is Tracy's divorced mother, a recovering alcoholic who works as a hairdresser while struggling to support Tracy and Mason. She worries about Tracy's transformation under Evie's influence, atte...

• Mason (played by Brady Corbet) — supporting

  Mason is Tracy's older brother, living with Tracy and Melanie. He notices how drastically Tracy's behavior and appearance have changed, becoming shocked when he sees her in revealing clothing. Althoug...

• Astrid (played by Jenicka Carey) — supporting

  Astrid is Evie's friend who accompanies Evie when she meets Tracy on Melrose Avenue. She participates in shoplifting and joins the shopping spree financed by the stolen wallet, helping draw Tracy into...

• Brady (played by Jeremy Sisto) — supporting

  Brady is Melanie's boyfriend and a fellow ex-addict, whose relationship occupies much of Melanie's attention while Tracy becomes increasingly troubled. Near the end of the story, he offers Tracy a rid...

• Brooke (played by Deborah Kara Unger) — minor
• Luke (played by Kip Pardue) — minor

  Luke is Tracy's adult neighbor and the target of an attempted seduction by Tracy and Evie. Their effort is part of the girls' escalating experimentation and boundary-breaking behavior, showing how far...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Evie → Luke (Romantic Seduction Attempt) — Evie treats Luke as part of the girls' escalating boundary-testing.

  Evie joins Tracy in attempting to seduce their adult neighbor Luke.

• Tracy → Luke (Romantic Seduction Attempt) — Luke is the target of a reckless sexual experiment by the girls.

  Tracy and Evie attempt to seduce their adult neighbor Luke.

• Evie → Brooke (Family Cousin And Guardian) — Brooke has formal responsibility for Evie despite their unstable relationship.

  Brooke is identified as Evie's adult cousin and guardian.

• Melanie → Brady (Romantic Boyfriend) — Brady is Melanie's romantic partner during the family's instability.

  Melanie is occupied with her fellow ex-addict boyfriend Brady.

• Tracy → Mason (Family Sibling) — Mason is Tracy's concerned older brother.

  Mason is identified as Tracy's older brother and reacts with shock when he sees her revealing clothing.

• Melanie → Mason (Family Mother) — Melanie is Mason's mother within the family household.

  Melanie struggles to support Tracy and her older son Mason while working as a hairdresser.

• Tracy → Melanie (Family Daughter) — Their mother-daughter bond is strained by Tracy's rebellion but remains emotionally central.

  Melanie is Tracy's mother and tries to protect her when Tracy's behavior changes.

Story Dynamics

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

• Melanie → Brooke (Conflict Confronter) — Melanie directly challenges Brooke's judgment and authority.

  When Brooke plans to move Evie to Ojai, Melanie defends Tracy's innocence and later orders Brooke to leave.

• Brooke → Tracy (Conflict Accuser) — Brooke becomes an authority figure who wrongly challenges Tracy.

  Brooke confronts Tracy about drug use and stealing after Evie convinces her that Tracy was the bad influence.

• Brady → Tracy (Alliance Driver) — Brady provides practical assistance at a crucial late-story moment.

  While Tracy is walking home from school, Brady offers her a ride and takes her home.

• Evie → Melanie (Social House Guest) — Evie temporarily enters Melanie's household as Tracy's guest.

  Melanie agrees to let Evie stay at her home after Evie says Brooke's boyfriend is abusive.

• Tracy → Astrid (Alliance Accomplice) — Astrid becomes Tracy's accomplice during the early criminal escalation.

  Astrid is present when Tracy steals the wallet, and the three girls use the stolen money for shopping.

• Evie → Astrid (Social Friend) — Astrid is part of Evie's close social circle.

  Evie meets Tracy with Astrid on Melrose Avenue, and Astrid participates in the wallet theft and shopping spree.

• Tracy → Evie (Social Friend) — Their intense friendship drives Tracy's transformation.

  After Tracy steals a wallet and impresses Evie and Astrid, Tracy and Evie quickly become friends.

Story Analysis

A vulnerable teenager pursues belonging through a destructive friendship while her mother struggles to restore connection and protection.

Plot Progression

1. A Humiliating First Impression — Tracy begins school as a smart but vulnerable honors student. Evie's ridicule pushes her to change her appearance and pursue acceptance.
2. The Price Of Belonging — Tracy follows Evie to Melrose Avenue and proves herself by stealing a wallet. Their friendship grows through shopping, crime, and shared excitement.
3. A House Without Boundaries — Evie moves into Melanie's home and exposes Tracy to increasingly dangerous behavior. Melanie recognizes the danger but cannot stop their mutual escalation.
4. Rejection And Retaliation — Melanie's attempt to find a solution fails, while Brooke's situation complicates Evie's guardianship. Melanie's refusal to adopt Evie leads to social retaliation against Tracy.
5. The Unfinished Embrace — Family members confront Tracy about drugs, stealing, and self-harm. Melanie ultimately comforts her, but Tracy's final solitary scream leaves the recovery unresolved.