Character Relationship Map: The In Between

Characters

• Tessa (played by Joey King) — protagonist

  Tessa is the film's central character, a gifted but emotionally guarded photographer who survives a traffic accident and enters the mysterious In Between. She follows signs from Skylar, seeks contact...

• Skylar (played by Kyle Allen) — protagonist

  Skylar is Tessa's romantic partner, a sincere believer in love who first meets her at a theater and helps translate a French film. He teaches her to waltz and row, declares his love, and returns after...

• Mel (played by John Ortiz) — supporting

  Mel is Tessa's adoptive father and one of the adults caring for her after the accident. When Tessa throws away her developing materials, he reminds her that her biological mother never stayed committe...

• Shannon (played by Celeste O'Connor) — supporting

  Shannon is Tessa's close friend and an active partner in her attempt to contact Skylar. She discusses the In Between with Tessa, researches possible methods, drives her to meaningful locations, and la...

• Nurse (played by Millie Rose Evans) — minor
• Doris (played by Donna Biscoe) — supporting

  Doris is the author of the book about the In Between whom Tessa meets at the hospital. She gives Tessa the crucial guidance that a deceased person should be sought at the places where the strongest em...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Nurse → Tessa (Professional Medical Caregiver) — The Nurse belongs to the medical system treating Tessa's life-threatening condition.

  At the hospital, Tessa is told that her heart needs to be repaired the next day, and Shannon later distracts the nurses during the escape.

• Mel → Tessa (Family Adoptive Father) — Mel is identified through the plot as Tessa's adoptive father.

  Tessa's adoptive dad reminds her that her mother never stuck to anything when Tessa is struggling at home.

• Tessa → Skylar (Romantic Partner) — Their romance is the emotional center of the film and continues after Skylar's death through the In Between.

  Tessa and Skylar search for each other, kiss at the Empyrean, declare love, and make love on the beach.

Story Dynamics

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

• Skylar → Shannon (Alliance Indirect Ally) — Skylar assists Shannon's rescue effort from the In Between.

  After Tessa's hospital escape, Skylar manipulates electronics to distract the nurses and guides Tessa and Shannon toward the accident site.

• Tessa → Doris (Narrative Seeker And Guide) — Doris provides the conceptual direction that reshapes Tessa's search for Skylar.

  Tessa follows the route from her SAT scribble and arrives at Doris, the author she met in the hospital, for guidance.

• Tessa → Shannon (Social Best Friend) — Shannon is Tessa's closest confidante and practical emotional support.

  Tessa tells Shannon about the In Between, and Shannon helps her investigate ways to contact Skylar.

Story Analysis

A grieving young woman crosses a temporary boundary between life and death to say goodbye, reclaim her artistic voice, and choose to live.

Plot Progression

1. A Love Found — Tessa meets Skylar in a coastal town and gradually opens herself to romance. Their reunion at the rowing meet leads to a kiss, a summer promise, and a deeper bond.
2. Promises and Wounds — Tessa's artistic ambitions and painful history of abandonment complicate her relationship with Skylar. Their intimacy grows through photography, rowing, and a declaration of love.
3. Signals from Beyond — After the accident, Tessa learns about the In Between and begins noticing signs connected to Skylar. Shannon helps her test supernatural contact methods and follow a mysterious route.
4. The Cost of Holding Back — Tessa discovers that Skylar planned to leave for Oregon and breaks up with him just as she is ready to express her love. Her regret drives an increasingly urgent search for contact.
5. The Final Crossing — Shannon helps Tessa escape the hospital, and Skylar guides them toward the accident site. Tessa says goodbye, chooses life, and transforms their story into her RISD portfolio.