Louise Banks (played by Amy Adams) is a protagonist in Arrival.
A linguist recruited by the US Army to decipher the heptapods' written language. She experiences non-linear time visions, realizes the language alters human perception, and acts as the pivotal diplomat who prevents global conflict by communicating with General Shang. Ultimately chooses to embrace motherhood despite knowing her daughter's tragic fate. Ian Donnelly (played by Jeremy Renner) is a protagonist in Arrival.
A physicist recruited to assist Banks in studying the alien spacecraft. He helps decode the heptapod writing system, identifies the mathematical structure of their language, and shares a romantic bond with Banks. He remains unaware of her future visions until he learns of Hannah's illness. Colonel Weber (played by Forest Whitaker) appears in Arrival.
A US Army Colonel responsible for recruiting linguist Louise Banks and physicist Ian Donnelly to investigate the alien spacecraft in Montana. He oversees the military and scientific operation. Agent Halpern (played by Michael Stuhlbarg) appears in Arrival.
A CIA agent present at the Montana camp. His satellite phone is used by Louise Banks during the evacuation to contact General Shang and de-escalate the global crisis. General Shang (played by Tzi Ma) appears in Arrival.
A Chinese military general who demands the alien craft leave within 24 hours. He is persuaded to stand down after Louise Banks calls his private number and recites his late wife's final words, enabling global cooperation to decipher the heptapod message.
Arrival (2016) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Louise Banks
(played by Amy Adams) — protagonist
A linguist recruited by the US Army to decipher the heptapods' written language. She experiences non-linear time visions, realizes the language alters human perception, and acts as the pivotal diploma...
Ian Donnelly
(played by Jeremy Renner) — protagonist
A physicist recruited to assist Banks in studying the alien spacecraft. He helps decode the heptapod writing system, identifies the mathematical structure of their language, and shares a romantic bond...
Colonel Weber
(played by Forest Whitaker) — supporting
A US Army Colonel responsible for recruiting linguist Louise Banks and physicist Ian Donnelly to investigate the alien spacecraft in Montana. He oversees the military and scientific operation.
Agent Halpern
(played by Michael Stuhlbarg) — supporting
A CIA agent present at the Montana camp. His satellite phone is used by Louise Banks during the evacuation to contact General Shang and de-escalate the global crisis.
General Shang
(played by Tzi Ma) — supporting
A Chinese military general who demands the alien craft leave within 24 hours. He is persuaded to stand down after Louise Banks calls his private number and recites his late wife's final words, enablin...
Key Relationships
Ian Donnelly → Agent Halpern
(Professional Camp Personnel)
Colonel Weber → General Shang
(Conflict Military Rivals)
Louise Banks → Agent Halpern
(Alliance Team Members)
Louise Banks → General Shang
(Alliance Cross-Border Allies)
Ian Donnelly → Colonel Weber
(Professional Subordinate & Commander)
Louise Banks → Colonel Weber
(Professional Recruiter & Recruit)
Louise Banks → Ian Donnelly
(Professional Colleagues)
Story Analysis
A linguist deciphers an alien language that alters time perception, ultimately uniting humanity against global panic.
