Character Relationship Map: Heartbeats

Characters

• Marie (played by Monia Chokri) — protagonist

  Marie is one of the film's two central figures, a young woman who becomes close friends with Nicolas and Francis while secretly desiring Nicolas. She competes with Francis for his affection, grows jea...

• Nicolas (played by Niels Schneider) — protagonist

  Nicolas is the charismatic figure at the center of Marie and Francis's emotional rivalry. After meeting them at a dinner party, he forms an intimate friendship with both, gives each signs they interpr...

• Francis (played by Xavier Dolan) — supporting

  Francis is one of the two friends who fall for Nicolas after meeting him alongside Marie. He becomes jealous of Nicolas's attention to Marie, competes with her for affection, and fights with her durin...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Francis → Nicolas (Romantic Interest) — Francis openly expresses romantic and physical attraction toward Nicolas.

  Francis eventually tells Nicolas that he loves him and wants to kiss him.

• Marie → Nicolas (Romantic Interest) — Marie develops romantic feelings for Nicolas, though he does not reciprocate them clearly.

  Marie becomes visibly disappointed when Nicolas gives attention to Francis and later writes Nicolas a love letter.

Story Dynamics

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

• Marie → Francis (Social Close Friendship) — Their friendship survives jealousy, rivalry, and the collapse of their shared attachment to Nicolas.

  Marie and Francis become close after meeting Nicolas, and after a year they rekindle their friendship.

Story Analysis

A triangular friendship becomes a contest for affection before Marie and Francis reclaim their bond and move toward someone new.

Plot Progression

1. A Friendship with Hidden Desire — Marie and Francis meet Nicolas at a dinner party and quickly become close friends with him. Their shared intimacy gradually reveals that both want more than friendship.
2. The Triangle Tightens — Nicolas's theater outing with Marie and his intimate behavior toward both friends heighten their uncertainty. Marie and Francis begin competing for his attention through jealousy and birthday gifts.
3. Jealousy at the Vacation Home — The trip to Nicolas's aunt's vacation home turns emotional ambiguity into open rivalry. Marie's jealousy, the morning sight of Nicolas and Francis, and the wrestling match fracture the group.
4. Confessions Without Return — After the trip, Marie and Francis contact Nicolas separately. Francis receives a devastating rejection, while Marie's letter and street conversation end with another evasive refusal.
5. A Shared Exit — One year later, Marie and Francis have rekindled their friendship. They reject Nicolas together and pursue a new guest, echoing the opening encounter.