Character Relationship Map: Babes

Characters

• Eden (played by Ilana Glazer) — protagonist

  The protagonist, a single woman who becomes pregnant after a one-night stand with Claude. She navigates her pregnancy, complex friendship dynamics, and personal reconciliation, ultimately deciding to...

• Dawn (played by Michelle Buteau) — protagonist

  Eden's best friend and a new mother grappling with postpartum challenges, breastfeeding difficulties, and the pressures of work-life balance. Her friendship with Eden is tested but ultimately reaffirm...

• Dragana (played by Elena Ouspenskaia) — supporting
• Claude (played by Stephan James) — supporting

  A man Eden meets on the subway who shares a profound emotional connection and a one-night stand with her. He dies shortly after, leaving Eden unexpectedly pregnant.

• Marty (played by Hasan Minhaj) — supporting

  Dawn's husband and a new father who supports her through postpartum struggles. He balances work, parenting, and marriage while dealing with daycare shortages and career opportunities.

Canonical Relationships

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

• Eden → Dragana (Professional Doula And Client) — Dragana provides professional childbirth support during Eden's labor.

  Eden has a doula named Dragana, and Dragana accompanies Eden when she goes into labor and travels to the hospital.

• Eden → Claude (Romantic One-Night Partner) — Their brief encounter becomes the source of Eden's pregnancy.

  Eden meets Claude on the subway, bonds with him over loss and relationship problems, spends the night with him, and has sex with him.

• Dawn → Marty (Family Spouse) — They are married partners raising their first child.

  Dawn gets sushi for herself and her husband Marty after giving birth, and the two later discuss parenting and work pressures together.

Story Dynamics

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

• Dawn → Dragana (Alliance Birth Support Contact) — Dragana is part of the support network surrounding Eden's birth and reconciliation.

  When Eden goes into labor, Dawn shows up while Eden and her doula Dragana set off for the hospital.

• Eden → Dawn (Social Best Friend) — Their longstanding friendship is the emotional center of the film.

  Eden and Dawn are described as best friends who share an annual Thanksgiving outing and continue supporting each other through pregnancy and parenthoo...

Story Analysis

A single woman's unexpected pregnancy tests a lifelong friendship while both women confront the demands of motherhood, work, and changing family bonds.

Plot Progression

1. Labor, Loss, And Chance — Dawn goes into labor during Thanksgiving, establishing Eden's role as her closest friend. Eden later meets Claude on the subway, shares an intimate connection, and spends the night with him.
2. The Pregnancy Revelation — After Claude ghosts Eden, she discovers that she is pregnant during a New Year's Eve gathering with Dawn. Her search for Claude ends with the revelation that he died shortly after their encounter.
3. Parenthood Tests Friendship — Eden chooses to keep the pregnancy while Dawn and Marty struggle with childcare and work. Eden's babysitting mistake and Dawn's postpartum difficulties intensify the pressure on their friendship.
4. The Babymoon Breakpoint — A recommended babymoon fails to provide uncomplicated relaxation. Eden's proposal to move in together exposes the different responsibilities and definitions of family separating the friends.
5. Labor And Reconciliation — Dawn receives a career opportunity just as Eden goes into labor. Dawn reaches the hospital, the friends apologize and reconcile, and Eden gives birth before their relationship settles into a hopeful n...