Character Relationship Map: Cyanide

Characters

• Achille (played by Alexandre Etzlinger) — protagonist

  A 13-year-old boy who lives with his mother and has built an idealized image of his imprisoned father. When Joe is released, Achille sides with him despite several serious accidents Joe causes, and tr...

• Joe (played by Roy Dupuis) — protagonist

  Achille's father, a handsome, extravagant, violent, and manipulative criminal who has been imprisoned since Achille's birth. After his release, he remains attached to Pénélope, but she keeps her dista...

• Pénélope (played by Sabine Timoteo) — supporting

  Achille's mother, who works as a supermarket salesperson. She is building a happy relationship with her colleague Alexis, whom Achille rejects and despises. Although she remains attached to Joe, she i...

• Alexis (played by Christophe Sermet) — supporting

  Pénélope's colleague and the person with whom she is building a happy relationship. Achille despises and rejects him, as he sides with Joe and tries to bring his parents back together. The plot summar...

• Joe's boss (played by Thierry Jorand) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

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

• Joe's boss → Joe (boss)
• Pénélope → Joe (Romantic Former Partners) — Their past romantic bond remains emotionally active but damaged.

  Pénélope remains attached to Joe after his release, although she is no longer deceived by him and keeps her distance.

• Joe → Achille (Family Father) — Joe is the father whom Achille idealizes before learning the truth about him.

  Joe is described as Achille's father and has been imprisoned since Achille's birth.

• Achille → Pénélope (Family Son) — Pénélope is Achille's mother and his primary caregiver.

  Achille lives with his mother Pénélope, who works as a supermarket salesperson.

• Pénélope → Alexis (Romantic Partners) — Alexis represents Pénélope's possible stable future.

  Pénélope is building a happy relationship with Alexis, one of her colleagues.

Story Dynamics

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

• Achille → Alexis (Conflict Rejected Acquaintance) — Achille sees Alexis as an obstacle to restoring his parents' relationship.

  Achille despises and rejects Alexis despite Alexis's relationship with Pénélope.

Story Analysis

A boy's idealized image of his imprisoned father collapses when manipulation and violence force him to confront reality.

Plot Progression

1. The Father In His Imagination — Achille lives with Pénélope while constructing an idealized image of Joe, who has been imprisoned since his birth. Pénélope begins building a happier relationship with Alexis.
2. A Father Returns — Joe leaves prison and re-enters Pénélope's life. Pénélope keeps her distance, while Achille sides with Joe and rejects Alexis.
3. The Failed Family Reunion — Achille attempts to restore his parents' relationship despite Pénélope's resistance and Alexis's presence. Joe's behavior causes Achille several serious accidents.
4. The Myth Collapses — Joe again uses suicide blackmail, but Achille no longer responds within the protective fantasy he built around his father. The threat is taken literally after Achille's violent disillusionment.