Character Relationships in Matewan

Joe Kenehan (played by Chris Cooper) is a protagonist in Matewan. An ex-Wobbly organizer with pacifist leanings who arrives in Matewan to unionize miners. He advocates non-violence, temporarily relocates to avoid trouble for Mrs. Radnor, survives a framed assault accusation, and is ultimately killed during a shootout between Baldwin-Felts agents and armed townspeople. Elma Radnor (played by Mary McDonnell) appears in Matewan. A miner's widow who runs a local boarding house. She initially faces pressure when Baldwin-Felts agents seek lodging, accommodates them after Kenehan relocates to spare her trouble, and later personally kills the escaping agent Hickey with a shotgun during the final shootout. Police Chief Sid Hatfield (played by David Strathairn) appears in Matewan. The town's police chief who legally blocks initial evictions by Baldwin-Felts agents. He deputizes local men to defend their community, actively participates in the final shootout by wounding two agents, survives the battle, marries the mayor's widow, and is later assassinated in daylight, sparking the Great Coalfield War. Bridey Mae Tolliver (played by Nancy Mette) appears in Matewan.

Character Relationship Map: Matewan

Matewan (1987) Poster

Matewan (1987) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.

Characters

Key Relationships

Story Analysis

A historical drama depicting the violent struggle between unionized miners and corporate enforcers in 1920s West Virginia.

Plot Progression

  1. Infiltration and Resistance
  2. Escalation and Deception
  3. Betrayal and Martyrdom
  4. Bloodshed and Aftermath

Directed by John Sayles

Matewan (1987) · 7.4/10 · drama, history