Character Relationship Map: Repulsion

Characters

• Carol Ledoux (played by Catherine Deneuve) — protagonist

  Carol Ledoux is a shy Belgian manicurist whose detachment and growing isolation form the center of the story. Left alone when Hélène and Michael travel, she withdraws from work, suffers disturbing hal...

• Michael (played by Ian Hendry) — protagonist

  Michael is Hélène's married lover, whose relationship with her deeply disturbs Carol. He leaves personal belongings in the apartment and travels to Italy with Hélène, later returning to discover the d...

• Colin (played by John Fraser) — supporting

  Colin is a suitor who becomes enamoured of Carol and repeatedly attempts to court and kiss her despite her discomfort. After Hélène and Michael leave, he breaks into the apartment to declare his love,...

• Manicurist (played by Imogen Graham) — minor

Canonical Relationships

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

• Carol Ledoux → Manicurist (Professional Coworker) — The Manicurist is part of Carol's salon environment and notices her deterioration.

  Carol works at a salon with coworkers, and after she cuts a client's finger, a concerned coworker finds the uncooked rabbit's head in her purse.

• Carol Ledoux → Colin (Romantic Suitor) — Colin pursues Carol romantically, but she rejects his advances.

  Colin is enamoured of Carol and repeatedly tries to court and kiss her, while she remains uninterested.

Story Dynamics

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

• Carol Ledoux → Michael (Conflict Unwanted Presence) — Michael's presence intensifies Carol's disgust and psychological distress.

  Carol dislikes Michael, throws away his toothbrush and shaver, and is disturbed by the sounds of him having sex with her sister.

Story Analysis

Carol's isolation transforms an ordinary London apartment into a psychological space of intrusive memories, hallucination, and violence.

Plot Progression

1. A Stranger in Plain Sight — Carol lives in London with her older sister and works in a salon, but remains detached from everyday social contact. Colin's courtship and Michael's intrusive presence expose her growing discomfort.
2. The Empty Apartment — Michael and Carol's sister leave for Italy, isolating Carol in the apartment. Michael's possessions, the uncooked rabbit, the mirror, and unexplained footsteps intensify her distress.
3. Walls Without Boundaries — Carol's isolation deepens as the bath overflows and the walls appear to crack open. Hallucinated assaults and disturbing visions make the apartment increasingly threatening.
4. Violence Behind Locked Doors — Colin breaks into the apartment and is killed by Carol with a candlestick. Carol then cuts the telephone wire and continues to experience hallucinations.
5. The Photograph Remains — Carol kills the landlord with Michael's straight razor after he attacks her. Michael returns, discovers the bodies, and finds Carol catatonic as the childhood photograph offers a final disturbing imag...