Character Relationship Map: Hell and Back

Characters

• Remy (played by Nick Swardson) — protagonist

  A carnival barker who borrows a spell book to save his failing pier carnival. After accidentally sending his friend Curt to Hell via a blood oath, he ventures into the afterlife to rescue him, ultimat...

• Augie (played by T.J. Miller) — protagonist

  Remy's childhood friend and carnival repairman who accompanies him to Hell. He forms a romantic connection with the demon Deema during their quest and helps rescue Curt before they return to the morta...

• Deema (played by Mila Kunis) — supporting

  A female demon who guides Remy and Augie to Orpheus in exchange for a favor. She reveals herself as Orpheus's daughter and develops a romantic relationship with Augie. She ultimately assists in rescui...

• The Devil (played by Bob Odenkirk) — supporting

  The ruler of Hell who initially plans to torture the intruders. He becomes infatuated with the angel Barb and attempts to use Curt as a replacement sacrifice to win her affection. He is ultimately def...

• Curt (played by Rob Riggle) — supporting

  The carnival's assistant manager who accidentally triggers a journey to Hell by making a blood oath for a mint. He faces execution for breaking the pact but is rescued by his friends and ultimately sa...

• Orpheus (played by Danny McBride) — supporting

  A retired Greek legend who lives as an eccentric slacker. He is the father of Deema and is reluctantly drawn back into action. He forgives a hellish tree, which helps his friends escape, and ends up i...

• Durmessa (played by Jennifer Coolidge) — supporting

  A figure from Orpheus's past, identified as the woman with whom he had a fling that resulted in Deema's birth. Her role beyond this mention is not detailed in the plot.

Canonical Relationships

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

• The Devil → Curt (Power Captor) — The Devil exercises direct authority over Curt's fate.

  The Devil holds Curt for breaking the blood oath and prepares him for sacrifice at the crossroads.

• Orpheus → Durmessa (Romantic Former Fling) — Their past encounter establishes Deema's parentage.

  The plot identifies Durmessa as the woman involved in a past fling with Orpheus that resulted in Deema's birth.

• Deema → Orpheus (Family Daughter) — Their family connection explains Deema's reason for seeking Orpheus.

  Deema reveals that she is Orpheus's daughter, born from Orpheus's past fling with Durmessa.

• Augie → Deema (Romantic Interest) — Their attraction develops while they cooperate on the rescue mission.

  The plot states that Augie and Deema share a romantic moment on Charon's ferry while traveling through Hell.

• Augie → Curt (Professional Coworker) — Their professional connection becomes part of the rescue team.

  Augie works as the carnival repairman and Curt as assistant manager at the same carnival.

Story Dynamics

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

• Orpheus → Remy (Alliance Rescue Ally) — Orpheus becomes an essential ally during the final escape attempt.

  Orpheus attempts to rescue Remy and the others after disguising himself as a demon.

• The Devil → Orpheus (Conflict Opponent) — Their confrontation places Orpheus against the ruler of Hell.

  Orpheus attempts to rescue the captured group, while the Devil captures him and later accidentally sends him into the lower regions.

• The Devil → Augie (Conflict Enemy) — Augie directly opposes the ruler of Hell while protecting Curt.

  The Devil intends to torture Augie and later ambushes him with the group during the attempted rescue.

• The Devil → Remy (Conflict Enemy) — The Devil is the main supernatural obstacle to Remy's rescue.

  The Devil intends to torture Remy after he enters Hell and later ambushes Remy during the rescue attempt.

• Deema → Remy (Alliance Guide) — Deema guides Remy through Hell under a negotiated agreement.

  Deema agrees to take Remy and Augie to Curt if they help her reach Orpheus.

• Remy → Curt (Social Friend) — Remy's rescue mission is driven by his concern for Curt.

  Remy and Curt work together at the carnival, and Remy enters Hell to rescue Curt after the blood oath transports him.

• Remy → Augie (Social Childhood Friends) — Their longstanding friendship supports their cooperation during the rescue mission.

  The plot identifies Augie as Remy's childhood friend and shows them working together at the carnival before entering Hell together.

Story Analysis

A desperate carnival rescue becomes a journey through Hell that transforms friendship, family, and the failing park.

Plot Progression

1. A Carnival Near Collapse — Remy, Augie, and Curt struggle to keep their failing pier carnival alive. Foreclosure pushes Remy toward a risky magical solution.
2. The Oath Opens Hell — A blood oath involving a mint sends Curt through a portal inside the Gates of Hell attraction. Remy and Augie follow him into the underworld.
3. A Bargain With Deema — The Devil threatens the intruders while Curt faces sacrifice. Deema offers guidance to Curt in exchange for help finding Orpheus.
4. The Rescue Collapses — The group discovers Curt's sacrifice location and races to save him. Their reunion is interrupted by the Devil, who captures the rescuers and Orpheus.
5. Escape From Lower Hell — The group falls into the lower regions and receives help from a forgiven tree. Curt uses the mint to return everyone to the mortal realm, while the carnival is rebuilt.