Character Relationship Map: Cha Cha Real Smooth

Characters

• Andrew (played by Cooper Raiff) — protagonist

  The protagonist, a young man navigating a long-distance relationship while working as a party starter and babysitter. He develops a close bond with Domino and her autistic daughter Lola, leading to ro...

• Domino (played by Dakota Johnson) — protagonist

  A recently widowed mother and entrepreneur who runs a design studio. She struggles with grief and a high-pressure engagement while forming a complex emotional and romantic connection with Andrew, who...

• Lola (played by Vanessa Burghardt) — supporting

  Domino's sensitive autistic daughter who struggles with social interactions and bullying. She gradually opens up to Andrew, allowing him to perform a comforting back-scratching routine that was previo...

• David (played by Evan Assante) — supporting

  Andrew's younger brother who accompanies him to parties. He is navigating early adolescence, experiencing his first kiss, and showing protective instincts toward Lola, while frequently clashing with A...

• Joseph (played by Raúl Castillo) — supporting

  Domino's pragmatic fiancé who works in Chicago. He initially clashes with Andrew, ultimately firing him from the babysitting role, but later acknowledges Andrew's positive impact on his family before...

• Macy (played by Odeya Rush) — supporting

  Andrew's close friend with whom he shares a casual intimate encounter, highlighting his emotional distance from his long-distance relationship with Maya.

Canonical Relationships

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

• Andrew → Macy (Romantic Casual Intimacy) — Andrew and Macy share a casual intimate encounter.

  Andrew later has sex with his friend Macy.

• Joseph → Lola (Power Family Authority) — Joseph acts as an adult authority responsible for decisions affecting Lola's household.

  Joseph fires Andrew from the role of caring for Lola and later thanks Andrew for taking care of his family.

• Joseph → Andrew (Power Employer) — Joseph exercises authority over Andrew's position in the household.

  Joseph fires Andrew from his job as Lola's sitter.

• Andrew → Domino (Romantic Attraction) — Andrew develops strong romantic feelings for Domino, which she does not reciprocate fully.

  Andrew and Domino kiss after discussing her engagement. Andrew later tells Domino that he loves her, but she rejects him.

• Domino → Joseph (Romantic Fiance) — Domino and Joseph maintain a committed relationship despite visible strain.

  Domino tells Andrew that she has a fiancé, Joseph, who works in Chicago. Six months later, Domino and Joseph are married.

• Andrew → David (Family Older Brother) — Andrew is David's older brother and an occasionally strained source of guidance.

  Andrew is asked to take his twelve-year-old brother David to a bat mitzvah. They later argue at home, and David tells Andrew about his first kiss.

• Domino → Lola (Family Mother) — Domino is Lola's primary caregiver and emotional anchor.

  The plot identifies Lola as Domino's daughter. Domino comforts and cares for Lola, including performing the back-scratching routine that Lola previous...

Story Dynamics

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

• David → Lola (Alliance Protective Ally) — David demonstrates protective concern for Lola.

  David leaves when he is close to having his first kiss so he can stop children from bullying Lola.

• Andrew → Lola (Alliance Protective Caregiver) — Andrew becomes a trusted supportive presence in Lola's life.

  Andrew takes Lola to the dance floor, helps her go to sleep by scratching her back, and works as her sitter.

Story Analysis

Andrew grows through unstable romance, caregiving, family conflict, and the difficult acceptance that love does not always lead to possession.

Plot Progression

1. A Party Career Begins — Andrew returns to the New Jersey party scene while coping with a long-distance relationship. His ability to start dancing at a bat mitzvah leads to unexpected employment.
2. Care Amid Crisis — Andrew's defense of Lola costs him a DJ job, but a crisis involving Domino brings him closer to both mother and daughter. Domino then hires him as Lola's sitter.
3. A Complicated Household — Andrew grows increasingly attached to Domino and Lola while Joseph enters the emotional center of the household. Andrew also struggles with distance, uncertainty, and his own choices.
4. The Kiss And Its Cost — Andrew secures an internship but crosses an emotional boundary when he kisses Domino. Joseph fires him, and tensions surrounding Lola and the family intensify.
5. Choosing A Separate Future — Andrew confesses his love and is rejected because Domino chooses Joseph. He abandons the Barcelona plan, prepares to move out, and accepts a painful goodbye before finding a freer balance.