Character Relationship Map: Lola

Characters

• Lola James (played by Nicola Peltz) — protagonist

  Protagonist; an exotic dancer and drugstore clerk battling cocaine addiction, fiercely protective of her genderfluid brother, and ultimately seeking redemption and a stable future after trauma.

• Mona (played by Virginia Madsen) — protagonist

  Lola and Arlo's toxic, fanatically religious mother; a narcissist who abuses her children verbally and sexually, ultimately blaming Lola for Arlo's death.

• Arlo (played by Luke David Blumm) — supporting

  Lola's nine-year-old genderfluid brother with artistic aspirations; suffers severe abuse from Mona, runs away after a traumatic haircut, and is fatally hit by a car.

• Babina (played by Raven Goodwin) — supporting

  Lola's coworker and best friend at the strip club; offers a safe haven for Lola and Arlo, provides unwavering support during Lola's pregnancy, and helps her rebuild her life.

• Malachi (played by Richie Merritt) — supporting

  Lola's ex-boyfriend and drug dealer; initially part of her destructive cycle, he later drives her to a support group and is shown years later sharing a positive dynamic with her and her daughter.

• Pearl (played by Hilda Boulware) — minor
• Trick (played by Trevor Long) — supporting

  Mona's boyfriend; assaults Lola when she returns to her mother's house, becoming the biological father of Lola's child and symbolizing the trauma she must overcome.

Canonical Relationships

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

• Mona → Trick (Romantic Boyfriend) — Trick is Mona's partner within the abusive household.

  Trick is identified as Mona's boyfriend and remains at Mona's house when Lola returns for Mikey.

• Lola James → Malachi (Romantic Ex-Boyfriend) — Their former romance remains entangled with Lola's addiction and later recovery.

  Malachi is described as Lola's ex-boyfriend and is involved in her unstable personal life.

• Babina → Pearl (Family Daughter) — Pearl is Babina's mother and part of the household offering Lola shelter.

  Pearl is identified as Babina's mother, and Lola and Arlo move in with both of them.

• Mona → Lola James (Family Mother) — Their maternal relationship is toxic and dominated by accusation and control.

  Mona is Lola's mother and later blames Lola for Arlo's death.

• Mona → Arlo (Family Mother) — Mona's motherhood is defined by religious control and abuse.

  Mona is identified as Lola and Arlo's mother and repeatedly controls and condemns Arlo's gender expression.

• Lola James → Arlo (Family Sibling) — Lola is fiercely protective of her younger brother and tries to secure his future.

  Arlo is Lola's nine-year-old brother, and Lola works constantly to help him attend art school in Texas.

Story Dynamics

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

• Trick → Lola James (Conflict Sexual Assailant) — Trick inflicts the sexual trauma that later results in Lola's pregnancy.

  When Lola returns to Mona's house to get Mikey, Trick rapes her.

• Lola James → Pearl (Social Housemate) — Pearl becomes part of the temporary household supporting Lola and Arlo.

  Lola and Arlo move in with Babina and Babina's mother, Pearl.

• Lola James → Babina (Social Best Friend) — Babina is Lola's most dependable personal support.

  Babina is Lola's coworker and best friend, and she gives Lola and Arlo a place to stay.

Story Analysis

A traumatized young woman confronts abuse, addiction, grief, and pregnancy while trying to build a safer future.

Plot Progression

1. Saving Arlo From Harm — Lola works two jobs to create a future for Arlo while Mona abuses and condemns him. After witnessing sexual abuse, Lola takes Arlo to Babina and Pearl's home.
2. The House of Loss — Lola loses her drugstore job and returns to Mona's house for Mikey. Trick rapes her, Mona retrieves Arlo, and Arlo dies after fleeing a forced haircut.
3. Grief and Relapse — Lola responds to Arlo's death with increasingly severe cocaine use. Her desperation peaks when Malachi refuses to give her a fix.
4. Choosing the Child — A pregnancy test reveals that Trick's assault resulted in pregnancy. Lola chooses to keep the baby and promises Babina that she will remain clean.
5. Leaving Toward Recovery — Lola receives support from Malachi, Babina, and her strip-club coworkers while attending recovery meetings. She shares her story, says goodbye to Babina, and begins a new life.