Character Relationship Map: Eileen

Characters

• Eileen Dunlop (played by Thomasin McKenzie) — protagonist

  Eileen Dunlop is a secretary at a Massachusetts corrections facility who feels isolated at work and oppressed by her abusive, alcoholic father, Jim. Drawn to Rebecca, she helps abduct and interrogate...

• Rebecca (played by Anne Hathaway) — protagonist

  Rebecca is a new psychologist at the corrections facility who captivates Eileen with her intelligence and glamorous confidence. She begins investigating Lee's family history, abducts and drugs Mrs. Po...

• Jim Dunlop (played by Shea Whigham) — supporting

  Jim Dunlop is Eileen's widowed father and a former chief of police. He is an alcoholic, paranoid, violent, and emotionally abusive toward Eileen, eventually locking her out of the house. After a polic...

• Lee Polk (played by Sam Nivola) — supporting

  Lee Polk is an inmate at the corrections facility who was imprisoned for stabbing his father to death. Rebecca works with him and suspects that he was sexually abused by his father. When Mrs. Polk is...

• Mrs. Polk (played by Marin Ireland) — supporting

  Mrs. Polk is Lee Polk's mother, whom Rebecca brings into an attempted investigation of Lee's abuse. After being tied up and drugged in her home, she admits knowing about the abuse and enabling it. Eil...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Mrs. Polk → Lee Polk (Family Mother) — Mrs. Polk is Lee's mother and a central source of information about his past.

  Rebecca invites Lee's mother, Mrs. Polk, to speak with her and Lee.

• Eileen Dunlop → Jim Dunlop (Family Daughter) — Their parent-child relationship is defined by dependence, resentment, and emotional abuse.

  Eileen lives with her widowed father Jim, who is described as emotionally abusive toward her.

• Rebecca → Lee Polk (Professional Psychologist) — Rebecca investigates Lee's history and attempts to engage him therapeutically.

  Rebecca begins working with Lee Polk, who is imprisoned for stabbing his father to death.

• Eileen Dunlop → Rebecca (Romantic Attraction) — Eileen develops an intense romantic attachment to Rebecca.

  Eileen is immediately drawn to Rebecca, and Rebecca kisses her after they drink and dance together.

Story Dynamics

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

• Rebecca → Mrs. Polk (Conflict Interrogator) — Rebecca's professional inquiry turns into coercion and physical confrontation.

  Rebecca questions Mrs. Polk about suspected abuse of Lee and later ties her up and drugs her.

Story Analysis

An isolated young woman pursues emotional escape through an increasingly violent bond with Rebecca.

Plot Progression

1. A House of Quiet Despair — Eileen works in a corrections facility while enduring social isolation and an abusive home life with Jim. Her fantasies reveal her desperation and emotional confinement.
2. The Arrival of Rebecca — Rebecca joins the prison staff and captures Eileen's attention through her intelligence and glamour. Their evening together creates an unexpected romantic possibility.
3. A Dangerous Invitation — Jim's instability worsens, leaving Eileen locked out and responsible for his gun. Rebecca's absence intensifies Eileen's longing before the Christmas Eve invitation changes everything.
4. The Basement Confession — Rebecca reveals that Mrs. Polk is restrained and drugged in the basement. Eileen becomes a reluctant participant as Mrs. Polk confesses enabling Lee's abuse.
5. A Road Out of Town — Eileen shoots Mrs. Polk and imagines escaping with Rebecca, but Rebecca does not appear. Eileen abandons Mrs. Polk and leaves town alone.