Character Relationship Map: Poms

Characters

• Martha (played by Diane Keaton) — protagonist

  A terminally ill cancer patient who moves to a retirement community. Initially isolated, she becomes the founder and leader of a senior cheerleading squad, inspiring her teammates to overcome physical...

• Sheryl (played by Jacki Weaver) — protagonist

  A lively retiree and high school substitute teacher who becomes Martha's closest friend. She actively supports the formation of the cheerleading squad, acts as a liaison with the local high school, an...

• Vicki (played by Celia Weston) — supporting

  The supervisor of the Sun Springs retirement community who enforces initial rules but gradually accommodates the residents' activities. She oversees the club's approval, suspension following an injury...

• Chloe (played by Alisha Boe) — supporting

  A high school student who initially mocks the senior squad. After her friends post a viral video of them, she apologizes and joins the group as their choreographer and coach, playing a pivotal role in...

• Ruby (played by Carol Sutton) — supporting
• Ben (played by Charlie Tahan) — supporting

  Sheryl's teenage grandson hired as the squad's DJ. He serves as a helpful bridge to the high school staff and alerts the group when a video of their pep rally performance goes viral online.

• Helen (played by Phyllis Somerville) — supporting

  A squad member who injures her ankle during a pep rally performance. Her injury triggers a lawsuit threat that temporarily disbands the team, but she is later rescued by her teammates to compete in th...

• Alice (played by Rhea Perlman) — supporting

  A retiree who successfully joins the cheerleading squad during the initial tryouts. She participates in practices and performances alongside the other founding members of the senior group.

• Chief Carl (played by Bruce McGill) — minor
• Tom (played by Dave Maldonado) — minor

Canonical Relationships

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

• Martha → Ben (Professional Employer And DJ) — Ben provides technical support for the team's performances.

  Martha's squad hires Sheryl's teenage grandson Ben to serve as its DJ.

• Helen → Tom (Family Mother And Son) — Tom's protectiveness creates a major threat to the squad.

  Tom is described as Helen's overbearing son and threatens the group with a lawsuit after Helen injures her ankle.

• Sheryl → Chloe (Professional Teacher And Student) — Their school relationship later becomes part of the squad's transformation.

  Sheryl works as a substitute teacher at Chloe's high school, and Chloe is identified as one of Sheryl's students.

• Sheryl → Ben (Family Grandmother And Grandson) — Their family connection enables Ben's practical involvement.

  The plot identifies Ben as Sheryl's teenage grandson, and Sheryl hires him to be the squad's DJ.

• Martha → Vicki (Professional Club Applicant) — Martha must work through Vicki's administrative authority.

  Martha and Sheryl ask Vicki for permission to start the cheerleading club and to recruit the required eight members.

Story Dynamics

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

• Chief Carl → Martha (Alliance Sympathetic Supporter) — Carl ultimately supports Martha's determination to perform.

  Chief Carl is described as sympathetic during the pursuit to the competition and later gladly attends the event.

• Chief Carl → Sheryl (Social Community Acquaintance) — Carl shifts from enforcing community order to supporting the residents.

  Sheryl's noisy party causes Martha to call Chief Carl, the community security chief. Carl later becomes sympathetic while pursuing the group and atten...

• Martha → Ruby (Alliance Teammate) — Ruby belongs to the original senior cheerleading team.

  Ruby is listed among the six women who join Martha and Sheryl's cheerleading club after the tryouts.

• Helen → Martha (Alliance Teammate) — Helen is both a founding teammate and the focus of the rescue.

  Helen joins the squad, performs at the pep rally, and is later rescued by Martha and the other members so she can attend the competition.

• Martha → Chloe (Alliance Coach And Choreographer) — Chloe changes from a critic into a key creative supporter.

  After Chloe apologizes, Martha and Sheryl ask for her help. Chloe agrees to become the squad's choreographer and coach.

• Martha → Sheryl (Social Close Friend) — Their friendship becomes the emotional core of the story.

  Sheryl initially invites Martha to activities despite Martha's resistance. Martha later accepts Sheryl as a friend, and they continue supporting each...

• Martha → Alice (Alliance Teammate) — Alice is one of Martha's founding squad members.

  Alice joins the cheerleading squad during the initial tryouts and participates in its practices and performances.

Story Analysis

A terminally ill woman builds a senior cheerleading team whose shared determination transforms isolation, conflict, and loss into friendship and remembrance.

Plot Progression

1. A New Life in Sun Springs — Martha moves to Sun Springs after deciding to stop further cancer treatment. Her difficult first encounter with community life leads her toward an unexpected friendship with Sheryl.
2. The Cheerleading Dream — Sheryl learns about Martha's abandoned cheerleading past and encourages her to try again. Together, they obtain permission, recruit members, and begin forming a senior squad.
3. Viral Failure — The squad struggles physically but earns a place at a high school pep rally. Helen's injury, a viral video, and Tom's lawsuit threat cause the community to shut the club down.
4. Rebuilding the Team — Martha and Sheryl confront Chloe, but her apology reveals that she did not intend the harmful online attention. Chloe becomes the team's coach, helping the women reunite and improve.
5. One Last Performance — Martha's illness worsens and she admits her fear of dying. The squad rescues Helen, reaches the competition, performs successfully, and later honors Martha through a cancer charity event.