Character Relationship Map: Grimm Love

Characters

• Katie Armstrong (played by Keri Russell) — protagonist

  An American criminal psychology student in Germany who conducts research on notorious cannibal killer Oliver Hartwin for her thesis. Her investigation involves analyzing their pasts through flashbacks...

• Oliver Hartwin (played by Thomas Kretschmann) — protagonist

  A notorious cannibal killer who served as the primary subject of Katie Armstrong's thesis. Motivated by a desire to consume a willing victim, he used the internet to find Simon Grombeck. His past acti...

• Simon Grombeck (played by Thomas Huber) — supporting

  A young man who responded to Oliver Hartwin's internet post and volunteered to be his victim. His past and relationship with Oliver are central to the flashbacks used in Katie's academic research into...

• Frau Schinder (played by Sybille J. Schedwill) — supporting
• Felix (played by Marcus Lucas) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

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

• Katie Armstrong → Simon Grombeck (Professional Investigator And Research Subject) — Her inquiry into Simon's history and motivations contributes to her growing emotional involvement with the case.

  Katie investigates the past of Simon, whose connection with Oliver and willingness to be his victim are central to her research.

• Katie Armstrong → Oliver Hartwin (Professional Researcher And Subject) — Katie's academic investigation of Oliver's case becomes emotionally absorbing as she tries to understand the needs behind his actions.

  Katie conducts research on Oliver Hartwin for her thesis and investigates his past and psychology.

Story Dynamics

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

• Oliver Hartwin → Frau Schinder (Social Urges Him To Leave Childhood Behind) — Frau Schinder encourages Oliver to move beyond childhood, while the account says he remains haunted by his need for closeness and understanding.

  After Oliver's mother dies, Frau Schinder urges him to leave his boyhood behind.

• Simon Grombeck → Felix (Social Companions) — Felix is a source of companionship in Simon's life and is the person to whom Simon leaves his possessions before departing.

  Simon finds companionship with Felix, and before traveling to meet Oliver he leaves his possessions to Felix.

• Oliver Hartwin → Simon Grombeck (Conflict Cannibal And Willing Victim) — Their unusual agreement turns shared desires into a planned encounter; the account ends before showing the act or its immediate outcome.

  Oliver wants to eat another person, while Simon wishes to be eaten. They correspond, agree to a concrete plan, and Simon travels to meet Oliver.

Story Analysis

Katie's research traces the troubled histories and shared desires of Oliver and Simon, ending as their plan is about to proceed.

Plot Progression

1. A Case Takes Hold — Katie begins researching Oliver's case in Germany. The investigation introduces the online connection between Oliver and Simon and the sharply aligned desires that draw Katie into their story.
2. Childhoods Marked by Loss — The account follows Oliver's controlling childhood, school isolation, and the death of his mother, then shows Frau Schinder urging him to leave boyhood behind. Simon's childhood is marked by his mothe...
3. Research Draws Katie Closer — Katie visits places connected to the men and becomes emotionally involved in considering their longing for intimacy and acceptance. Her research also examines psychological histories and disorders ass...
4. A Plan Nears Its Threshold — Oliver states that he wants Simon's flesh, while Simon insists that he is serious and travels to meet him after leaving his possessions to Felix. Their conversation reaches the point of proceeding, bu...