Character Relationship Map: The House

Characters

• Mabel (played by Mia Goth) — protagonist

  Wealthy matriarch in the first segment. Her opulent lifestyle and interactions with her husband and staff gradually reveal themes of isolation and descent into madness within their lavish home.

• Raymond (played by Matthew Goode) — protagonist

  Mabel's wealthy husband in the opening chapter. His detached demeanor highlights the couple's emotional distance and the pervasive theme of wealth-induced existential dread.

• Isobel (played by Eleanor De Swaef-Roels) — supporting

  The young protagonist of the second segment. She navigates a bizarre household filled with eccentric anthropomorphic relatives, serving as the emotional anchor exploring themes of family and belonging...

• Rosa (voice) (played by Susan Wokoma) — minor
• Visitors & Relatives (voice) (played by Emma Tate) — minor
• Elias (voice) (played by Will Sharpe) — cameo
• Cosmos (voice) (played by Paul Kaye) — cameo

Canonical Relationships

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

• Mabel → Isobel (Family Sisters) — Mabel's concern for Isobel leads her to the hidden room containing the family's former home and belongings.

  The plot identifies Isobel as Mabel's baby sister. When Isobel wanders away, Mabel follows her through a hidden door.

Story Dynamics

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

• Elias (voice) → Cosmos (voice) (Alliance Encouraged Collaborators) — Cosmos supports Elias's belief that escape is possible, strengthening Elias's resistance to Rosa's demands.

  Cosmos encourages Elias's unconventional efforts, and Elias says that Cosmos promised to help him get away.

• Rosa (voice) → Elias (voice) (Conflict Opposing Housemates) — Rosa demands that Elias dismantle the boat and restore the corridor, while Elias refuses and continues pursuing his escape plan.

  Rosa is furious when Elias tears up the floorboards to build a boat, because the damage destroys the corridor she needs to access the rooms.

• Raymond → Visitors & Relatives (voice) (Conflict Humiliated Relative) — Raymond becomes the direct target of the relatives' contempt during their visit.

  The visiting relatives' criticism causes humiliation for Raymond and his family.

• Mabel → Visitors & Relatives (voice) (Conflict Relative Critics) — Their judgment intensifies Mabel's family's humiliation and reinforces the contrast between family ties and social cruelty.

  Relatives visit Mabel's family and criticize their home and impoverished circumstances.

Story Analysis

Across three periods, one house becomes a changing site of humiliation, alienation, artificial comfort, and unresolved struggle.

Plot Progression

1. Humiliation Beneath The Roof — Mabel and her family live in poverty before relatives arrive and criticize their home. Raymond is humiliated, exposing the cruelty hidden within family connections.
2. The Door To Familiarity — Mabel's family moves into a grand house associated with Van Schoonbeek, but Mabel resents the unfamiliar life. After Isobel wanders away, Mabel discovers a hidden room containing their old home and be...
3. Luxury Under Strain — The house is presented as an expertly designed luxury property. A crying child and awkward adult behavior undermine the sales pitch and expose disorder beneath the polished surface.
4. A Boat From The Floor — Rosa faces failing plumbing and unpaid rent while Elias prepares to leave. With Cosmos's encouragement, Elias turns floorboards into a boat and clashes with Rosa over the damaged corridor.