Character Relationship Map: Dressed to Kill

Characters

• Liz Blake (played by Nancy Allen) — protagonist

  A high-priced call girl who discovers Kate Miller’s killer in the elevator mirror and becomes both the prime suspect and the next target. Liz joins Peter Miller to investigate Elliott’s patients, infi...

• Kate Miller (played by Angie Dickinson) — supporting

  A sexually frustrated housewife receiving therapy from Doctor Robert Elliott. After Elliott rejects her, Kate spends the day alone, has sex with Warren Lockman, and discovers evidence of his illnesses...

• Detective Marino (played by Dennis Franz) — supporting

  The police detective assigned to the case surrounding Kate Miller’s murder. Marino doubts Liz Blake’s account of seeing the killer, partly because of her profession, making him an obstacle to her cred...

• Warren Lockman (played by Ken Baker) — supporting

  A mysterious stranger whom Kate Miller encounters at a museum. He and Kate flirt and stalk each other through the exhibits before leaving together in a taxi and having sex at his apartment. Kate later...

• Dr. Levy (played by David Margulies) — supporting

  The doctor treating Bobbi after Bobbi’s therapy with Elliott ends. Elliott warns Levy that Bobbi is endangering herself and others, but Levy eventually recognizes that Elliott’s divided identity is re...

• Betty Luce (played by Susanna Clemm) — supporting

  A female police officer who has been following Liz Blake while disguised as the tall blonde seen during the attacks. Betty shoots the razor-wielding blonde outside Elliott’s office, unintentionally ex...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Detective Marino → Liz Blake (Professional Skeptical Investigator) — Marino's skepticism places Liz under suspicion instead of immediately treating her as a reliable witness.

  Detective Marino doubts Liz's account, partly because of her profession, after she reports seeing the killer.

• Kate Miller → Warren Lockman (Romantic Sexual Encounter) — A brief sexual encounter that directly leads to Kate's murder.

  Kate flirts with Warren at a museum, follows him into a taxi, and has sex with him at his apartment.

Story Dynamics

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

• Dr. Levy → Liz Blake (Alliance Informational Supporter) — Dr. Levy provides Liz with the psychological explanation that clarifies the case.

  Dr. Levy later explains to Liz the divided personality and motive behind the murders.

• Liz Blake → Betty Luce (Conflict Target And Pursuer) — Betty's pursuit makes her part of the danger surrounding Liz before the identity reveal.

  Betty Luce is revealed to be the blonde who has been trailing Liz, while Liz is also targeted by the razor-wielding killer.

• Liz Blake → Kate Miller (Narrative Witness To Victim) — Kate's murder transforms Liz into the principal witness and next target.

  Liz discovers Kate's body in the elevator and sees the killer reflected in the elevator's convex mirror.

Story Analysis

A murder investigation exposes a psychologically divided killer while Liz struggles to survive suspicion, pursuit, and the consequences of witnessing violence.

Plot Progression

1. A Dangerous New Desire — Kate's dissatisfaction leads her from therapy to a chance encounter with Warren. Their sexual encounter exposes her to danger when she discovers his medical condition.
2. Murder In The Elevator — Kate returns for her wedding ring and is killed by a razor-wielding blonde. Liz witnesses the killer through the elevator mirror and becomes central to the investigation.
3. The Witness Under Suspicion — Marino doubts Liz's story, while a disturbing therapy-related message suggests a connection to the psychiatrist. Liz begins investigating with Peter's homemade surveillance technology.
4. Tracking The Blonde — Surveillance identifies a former patient, but the killer continues stalking Liz. A subway attack and an office infiltration bring the investigation closer to the truth.
5. The Divided Killer — A shooting at the psychiatrist's office exposes the attacker and Betty Luce's identity. The arrest and psychological explanation are followed by an escape and Liz's final nightmare.