Character Relationship Map: The Kill Team

Characters

• Andrew Briggman (played by Nat Wolff) — protagonist

  Andrew Briggman is a U.S. Army soldier serving in Afghanistan and the story's central perspective. He initially follows Sergeant Deeks but becomes increasingly disturbed by civilian killings, reports...

• Sergeant Deeks (played by Alexander Skarsgård) — protagonist

  Sergeant Deeks replaces Staff Sergeant Wallace as platoon leader after Wallace's death and promises to find those responsible for attacks on American soldiers. He orders abusive and unlawful actions a...

• Rayburn (played by Adam Long) — supporting

  Rayburn is a member of Sergeant Deeks's platoon who participates directly in the killings of Afghan civilians. He executes an unarmed man and helps stage the death by planting an AK-47, later receives...

• Marquez (played by Brian Marc) — supporting

  Marquez is a soldier in Sergeant Deeks's platoon. Deeks accuses him of reporting a civilian's death to the CID and assaults him in front of the other soldiers, leaving him hospitalized. His treatment...

• Deeks' Son (played by Luka Schardan) — minor

Canonical Relationships

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

• Deeks' Son → Sergeant Deeks (son)
• Rayburn → Marquez (Professional Platoon Associate) — They share a military unit and its investigation.

  Rayburn and Marquez are both members of the platoon involved in the raids and the later CID investigation.

• Sergeant Deeks → Rayburn (Professional Superior Officer) — Deeks directs Rayburn's combat actions.

  During the raids, Deeks orders Rayburn to execute an elderly civilian and later summons him into the investigation concerning the murders.

• Andrew Briggman → Sergeant Deeks (Professional Subordinate) — Deeks commands Briggman within the platoon.

  After Staff Sergeant Wallace is killed, Sergeant Deeks replaces him as platoon leader, placing Andrew Briggman under his command.

Story Dynamics

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

• Sergeant Deeks → Marquez (Conflict Assailant) — Deeks violently punishes Marquez for suspected cooperation with investigators.

  Deeks assaults Marquez, accusing him of reporting the civilian death to CID, and Marquez is hospitalized.

• Andrew Briggman → Marquez (Alliance Platoon Comrade) — They belong to the same platoon.

  Briggman is summoned with the rest of the platoon after Marquez is assaulted and later reacts to the consequences of the assault.

• Rayburn → Andrew Briggman (Conflict Moral Antagonist) — Rayburn's actions directly intensify Briggman's conflict.

  Briggman witnesses Rayburn execute an unarmed man and plant an AK-47, deepening his disillusionment with the platoon.

Story Analysis

A soldier's moral awakening collides with military loyalty, coercion, and the consequences of civilian killings.

Plot Progression

1. Command After Catastrophe — Wallace is killed by an IED, and Deeks assumes command of the platoon. Briggman begins to question orders when he refuses to hurt a wounded suspect.
2. The First Civilian Death — The platoon raids a civilian village and finds a dead boy. Briggman doubts the grenade explanation and reports the killing to his father, bringing CID into the story.
3. Violence Behind Excuses — Deeks assaults Marquez while the platoon faces suspicion. During the second raid, Briggman witnesses Rayburn execute an unarmed man and fabricate evidence.
4. The Forced Execution — Briggman reports what he saw but remains trapped under Deeks's authority. An ambush leads to the capture of an elderly civilian and an order to stage another killing.
5. Testimony and Consequences — Briggman is traumatized after killing the civilian and considers suicide. CID questioning and his later testimony expose the crimes and lead to legal punishment.