Ben (played by Matthew Goode) is a protagonist in Birthmarked.
A respected scientist who partners with Catherine to conduct a controversial nature-vs-nurture experiment. He raises a child against genetic predispositions, becomes desperate under Gertz's pressure, assaults Gertz with a shovel, and is briefly jailed before being released. Catherine (played by Toni Collette) is a protagonist in Birthmarked.
A respected scientist who co-leads the experiment with Ben. She raises a child against genetic predispositions, has a major conflict with Ben over parenting methods, and later maintains an amicable relationship with him despite their separation. Mrs. Tridek (played by Fionnula Flanagan) appears in Birthmarked.
An individual who secures Ben's release from jail shortly after he is incarcerated for assaulting Gertz. Gertz (played by Michael Smiley) appears in Birthmarked.
The funding source for the experiment who periodically visits to test the children and pressures Ben and Catherine. He later reveals he has been secretly experimenting on the parents themselves and threatens them with a massive breach-of-contract fine or a damaging book publication. Maya (played by Megan O'Kelly) appears in Birthmarked.
Samsonov (played by Andreas Apergis) appears in Birthmarked.
A former Olympic athlete and trained psychologist hired by Gertz to assist in caring for the children and maintain logs reporting their progress.
Birthmarked (2018) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Ben
(played by Matthew Goode) — protagonist
A respected scientist who partners with Catherine to conduct a controversial nature-vs-nurture experiment. He raises a child against genetic predispositions, becomes desperate under Gertz's pressure,...
Catherine
(played by Toni Collette) — protagonist
A respected scientist who co-leads the experiment with Ben. She raises a child against genetic predispositions, has a major conflict with Ben over parenting methods, and later maintains an amicable re...
Mrs. Tridek
(played by Fionnula Flanagan) — supporting
An individual who secures Ben's release from jail shortly after he is incarcerated for assaulting Gertz.
Gertz
(played by Michael Smiley) — supporting
The funding source for the experiment who periodically visits to test the children and pressures Ben and Catherine. He later reveals he has been secretly experimenting on the parents themselves and th...
Maya
(played by Megan O'Kelly) — supporting
Samsonov
(played by Andreas Apergis) — supporting
A former Olympic athlete and trained psychologist hired by Gertz to assist in caring for the children and maintain logs reporting their progress.
Key Relationships
Gertz → Maya
(Power Exploiter)
Mrs. Tridek → Ben
(Social Legal Advocate)
Ben → Samsonov
(Professional Colleague)
Samsonov → Maya
(Professional Caretaker)
Gertz → Samsonov
(Professional Employer)
Gertz → Catherine
(Professional Sponsor)
Gertz → Ben
(Professional Sponsor)
Catherine → Maya
(Family Mother)
Ben → Maya
(Family Father)
Ben → Catherine
(Alliance Co-Researchers)
Story Analysis
A psychological thriller exploring the destructive limits of nature versus nurture experiments and parental manipulation.
