Character Relationship Map: The Wizard

Characters

• Jimmy (played by Luke Edwards) — protagonist

  Nine-year-old protagonist suffering from PTSD after his twin sister's death. Carries a lunchbox of mementos and repeatedly says California. His half-brother Corey helps him travel cross-country to com...

• Christine (played by Wendy Phillips) — supporting

  Jimmy's mother who, along with her husband Mr. Bateman, becomes frustrated with his wandering behavior and PTSD. They decide to commit him to an institution and hire a bounty hunter to track him down...

• Haley (played by Jenny Lewis) — supporting
• Bateman (played by Sam McMurray) — supporting

  Jimmy's stepfather who partners with Christine to address his unstable behavior. Decides to institutionalize him and hires bounty hunter Mr. Putnam to locate the runaway boys, actively competing again...

• Nick (played by Christian Slater) — supporting

  Jimmy's older half-brother who lives with their father Sam. He joins Sam in the mission to retrieve the boys, acting as a protective figure during the cross-country journey.

• Corey (played by Fred Savage) — supporting

  Jimmy's older half-brother who refuses to let him be institutionalized. He sneaks Jimmy out of the house and guides him across the country to a video game tournament, seeing it as the only way to save...

• Sam (played by Beau Bridges) — supporting

  Jimmy's biological father who lives with his older sons Nick and Corey. Initially separated from Jimmy, he joins forces with Nick to track down the boys and prevent their institutionalization.

• Putnam (played by Will Seltzer) — supporting

  A greedy bounty hunter hired by Christine and Bateman specifically to find Jimmy but spare Corey. He relentlessly pursues the boys, captures Jimmy at a trailer, and attempts to intervene during the to...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Bateman → Putnam (Professional Employer) — Bateman uses Putnam to enforce the institutionalization plan.

  Putnam is hired by Bateman and Christine specifically to locate Jimmy but not Corey.

• Christine → Putnam (Professional Employer) — Christine employs Putnam as a bounty hunter in the search for Jimmy.

  Christine and Bateman hire Putnam to find Jimmy.

• Christine → Bateman (Family Spouses) — Christine and Bateman jointly manage Jimmy's situation.

  The plot identifies Bateman as Christine's husband and shows them making the institutionalization decision together.

• Nick → Corey (Family Brothers) — Nick and Corey belong to the same divided family but take opposing approaches to the runaway situation.

  Nick and Corey are both identified as Sam's sons and older half-brothers of Jimmy.

• Nick → Sam (Family Father And Son) — Nick works with Sam during the search for Jimmy and Corey.

  Nick lives with his father Sam and resolves with him to bring the boys back.

• Corey → Sam (Family Father And Son) — Sam is Corey's father and later joins Nick in pursuing the boys.

  Corey lives with his father Sam before running away with Jimmy.

• Jimmy → Nick (Family Half Brothers) — Nick is part of the family effort to retrieve Jimmy and Corey.

  Nick is described as Jimmy's older half-brother and lives with Sam while helping search for Jimmy.

• Jimmy → Corey (Family Half Brothers) — Corey acts as Jimmy's protector and travel companion.

  Corey is Jimmy's older half-brother and sneaks him out to prevent his institutionalization.

• Jimmy → Sam (Family Father And Son) — Sam is Jimmy's biological father and searches for him during the journey.

  Sam is identified as Jimmy's biological father and joins the effort to bring him back.

• Jimmy → Bateman (Family Stepfather And Stepson) — Bateman is Jimmy's stepfather and supports the institutionalization plan.

  Jimmy lives with his mother Christine and stepfather Mr. Bateman.

Story Dynamics

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

• Sam → Putnam (Conflict Competing Retriever) — Sam's family-based search overlaps and competes with Putnam's paid pursuit.

  Sam and Nick try to bring the boys back while competing with Putnam, who was hired by Christine and Bateman.

• Putnam → Corey (Conflict Adversary) — Corey obstructs Putnam's mission by keeping Jimmy away from capture.

  Putnam searches for Jimmy while being instructed to spare Corey, and Corey repeatedly escapes with Jimmy from him.

• Putnam → Jimmy (Conflict Pursuer And Target) — Putnam is Jimmy's principal physical pursuer throughout the journey.

  Putnam relentlessly pursues the boys, captures Jimmy at Haley's trailer, and later attempts to re-apprehend him at the tournament.

• Haley → Jimmy (Alliance Teammate) — Haley helps convert Jimmy's gaming talent into a chance to protect him.

  Haley joins Corey and Jimmy, helps them reach the tournament, and supports Jimmy during the competition.

• Haley → Corey (Alliance Travel Partner) — Haley becomes Corey's practical partner during the cross-country journey.

  Haley agrees to help Corey and Jimmy reach Video Armageddon in exchange for a share of the winnings.

Story Analysis

A grieving child uses an extraordinary gaming talent to escape institutionalization and reconnect his divided family.

Plot Progression

1. A Family Ready to Break — Jimmy's PTSD, wandering, and grief over Jennifer's death destabilize his household. Christine and Bateman decide that institutionalization is the only solution.
2. The Runaway Tournament Plan — Corey takes Jimmy away and begins a journey toward Los Angeles. Haley joins them after revealing the opportunity offered by Video Armageddon.
3. Memories Across the Road — The trio crosses the country by hitchhiking and betting on Jimmy's gaming ability. Jimmy's lunchbox reveals the unresolved grief connected to Jennifer.
4. Capture and Roadside Rescue — Putnam captures Jimmy at Haley's trailer, placing the tournament plan in danger. Haley organizes a trucker barricade that enables Jimmy's rescue.
5. The Game That Saves Jimmy — Jimmy reaches Video Armageddon, survives Putnam's attempted intervention, and wins the final round. His victory provides the money and recognition needed to change his family's future.
6. A Place for Goodbye — On the journey home, Jimmy recognizes the Cabazon Dinosaurs as a place connected to Jennifer's happiness. He leaves his lunchbox there and continues home with his family.