Character Relationship Map: Pete's Dragon

Characters

• Pete (played by Oakes Fegley) — protagonist

  Orphaned in a car crash, Pete survives in the Oregon wilderness raised by a large green dragon named Elliot. After being discovered by humans, he navigates a conflict between his loyal dragon companio...

• Grace (played by Bryce Dallas Howard) — protagonist

  A compassionate park ranger who initially pursues Pete but soon cares for him after his hospital escape. She becomes a bridge between Pete and the human world, trusting his claims about Elliot and ult...

• Jack (played by Wes Bentley) — supporting

  An ethical lumberjack foreman and Grace's boyfriend who struggles to protect his home and reputation from his brother's ruthless schemes. He eventually recognizes Pete's innocence, joins the quest to...

• Gavin (played by Karl Urban) — supporting

  Jack's aggressive and ruthless brother who leads a hunting party to capture Elliot and initially frames Jack for harboring Pete. His roadblock causes a bridge collapse, forcing him to save Grace and J...

• Natalie (played by Oona Laurence) — supporting

  Jack's curious and brave daughter who accidentally uncovers Pete's secret. She plays a crucial role in rescuing Elliot from captivity alongside Pete and Conrad, helping them escape on a lumber truck.

Canonical Relationships

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

• Jack → Gavin (Family Brothers) — Their sibling bond is strained by Gavin's aggressive actions.

  The plot explicitly describes Gavin as Jack's brother.

• Pete → Grace (Family Adoptive Mother) — Grace becomes Pete's human caregiver and later his adoptive mother.

  Pete eventually returns to live with Grace, and the epilogue states that Grace and Jack adopt him as their son.

• Jack → Pete (Family Adoptive Father) — Jack becomes Pete's adoptive father after accepting him into the family.

  Pete returns to live with Grace and Jack, and the epilogue states that they adopt him as their son.

• Grace → Jack (Romantic Partner) — Their romantic relationship develops into marriage.

  Grace is introduced as Jack's girlfriend, and the epilogue states that they later marry.

• Jack → Natalie (Family Father) — Jack is Natalie's protective father.

  The plot identifies Natalie as Jack's daughter, and Jack responds when her screams attract him after she falls from a tree.

Story Dynamics

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

• Natalie → Grace (Alliance Family Ally) — Natalie works with Grace during the rescue mission.

  Natalie travels with Grace and Pete to the forest and helps free the dragon.

• Gavin → Pete (Conflict Captive Pursuer) — Gavin treats Pete as part of the problem to be controlled or captured.

  Gavin's men locate Pete's treehouse, and Gavin later participates in the effort surrounding the dragon and the escape route.

• Grace → Gavin (Conflict Adversary) — Gavin's operation places Grace in direct danger.

  Gavin establishes a roadblock to stop the lumber truck carrying the dragon, while Grace is in the lead truck.

• Pete → Natalie (Social Friend) — Natalie becomes Pete's brave human friend and ally.

  Natalie discovers Pete, and later travels with Pete, Grace, and Conrad to meet the dragon. She also helps Pete free the dragon.

Story Analysis

An orphaned boy must balance loyalty to his forest companion with the safety and love of a new human family.

Plot Progression

1. The Boy And The Forest — Pete survives the crash and is saved by a dragon in the wilderness. He grows up with the dragon for six years, forming a powerful bond.
2. Strangers Discover Pete — A logging crew enters the forest, and Natalie discovers Pete. Pete reaches a hospital, escapes, and tries to return to his forest home.
3. The Secret Becomes Real — The dragon reveals itself to the hunters and follows Pete toward town. Pete's drawing persuades Grace to investigate, while Jack's family history supports Pete's story.
4. Escape From Captivity — Gavin's hunters tranquilize the dragon and lock it in a warehouse. Pete and Natalie rescue it, escaping with their allies in a lumber truck.
5. The Cost Of Protection — Gavin's roadblock triggers a bridge collapse and a dangerous fire rescue. Pete accepts the dragon's decision to separate, returns to Grace and Jack, and later reunites with it in the mountains.