Character Relationship Map: WarGames

Characters

• David Lightman (played by Matthew Broderick) — protagonist

  Brilliant Seattle teen hacker who accidentally triggers a nuclear war simulation on a military supercomputer.

• McKittrick (played by Dabney Coleman) — protagonist

  NORAD systems director advocating for automated missile control after human hesitation.

• Stephen Falken (played by John Wood) — supporting

  Brilliant AI pioneer who created WOPR and later helps stop the rogue system.

• Jennifer (played by Ally Sheedy) — supporting

  David's classmate and romantic interest who assists him in his hacking endeavors.

Key Relationships

• Jennifer → McKittrick (Social NORAD Visitor & Official)
• Jennifer → Stephen Falken (Alliance Convincer & Despondent Creator)
• Stephen Falken → McKittrick (Alliance Strategic Advisors)
• David Lightman → McKittrick (Conflict Suspect & Investigator)
• David Lightman → Stephen Falken (Alliance Crisis Collaborator)
• David Lightman → Jennifer (Classmate & Romantic Interest)

Story Analysis

A teenager's accidental hacking triggers a nuclear crisis that requires human intervention and algorithmic learning to resolve.

Plot Progression

1. The Digital Trigger
2. The False War
3. The Desperate Quest
4. The Algorithmic Resolution