Character Relationship Map: Dragonflies

Characters

• Eddie (played by Kim Bodnia) — protagonist
• Kullman (played by Mikael Persbrandt) — supporting
• Maria (played by Maria Bonnevie) — supporting
• Sven (played by Tord Peterson) — supporting
• Baby (played by Tilda Wrange) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

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

• Eddie → Baby (Family Protective Responsibility) — The unborn baby represents Eddie's responsibility to his present life.

  Eddie is described as torn between loyalty to Kullman and responsibility toward Maria and the baby.

• Maria → Baby (Family Mother) — Maria's pregnancy shapes the household's responsibilities and tensions.

  Maria is explicitly pregnant as the story begins and her pregnancy advances during the narrative.

• Eddie → Maria (Romantic Partners) — Their domestic partnership is threatened by Kullman's return.

  Eddie lives on a farm with Maria, and Kullman's presence strains their relationship.

Story Dynamics

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

• Eddie → Sven (Unknown Accused Party) — Their connection is created by Kullman's false accusation.

  Kullman tells Sven that Eddie killed Bamse, making Eddie the person falsely blamed for the dog's death.

• Kullman → Sven (Conflict Deceiver) — Kullman's lie provokes Sven's grief and anger.

  When Sven searches for Bamse, Kullman tells him that Eddie killed the dog and later admits that he was responsible.

• Kullman → Maria (Conflict Household Intruder) — Kullman's return destabilizes Maria's domestic life.

  Kullman stays at the farm, and his presence strains the relationship between Eddie and Maria.

• Eddie → Kullman (Social Old Friends) — Their former friendship remains central despite deep resentment and mistrust.

  Kullman is explicitly described as Eddie's old friend and returns after five years in prison.

Story Analysis

A fragile domestic life is overwhelmed when an imprisoned friend's return revives guilt, loyalty, deception, and unresolved violence.

Plot Progression

1. A Life Rebuilt — Eddie recalls reaching rock bottom, becoming ill, and receiving unexpected help from a frightened girl. Years later, he has established a quiet farm life with Maria, who is pregnant.
2. The Past Returns — Kullman returns after five years in prison and conceals his motives behind a salesman story. He reveals that he knows where the man who betrayed them lives and asks Eddie to join him.
3. An Unwanted Guest — Eddie refuses Kullman's revenge proposal, but Kullman remains at the farm. His borrowed clothes, household involvement, and time fishing with Eddie make the old friendship impossible to ignore.
4. Lies Come Apart — Kullman reveals that he accidentally killed Tito and hid the body in his car. When Sven arrives searching for Bamse, Kullman's lie and later confession expose the damage caused by his behavior.
5. Chaos Without Resolution — Eddie's illness and Maria's advancing pregnancy intensify the conflict until Eddie violently confronts Kullman. Kullman's final favor leads to a tense visit that ends with a sudden breathing emergency...