Character Relationship Map: War Dogs

Characters

• David Packouz (played by Miles Teller) — protagonist

  Miami massage therapist who joins his friend's arms contracting firm AEY Inc. to make money. He navigates dangerous logistics in Jordan and Iraq, grows uncomfortable with Efraim's reckless tactics, an...

• Efraim Diveroli (played by Jonah Hill) — protagonist

  Founder of AEY Inc. who aggressively pursues lucrative government arms contracts. He takes extreme risks, including repackaging illegal ammunition and alienating suppliers, which ultimately leads to h...

• Henry Girard (played by Bradley Cooper) — supporting

  Legendary Albanian arms dealer who controls massive weapon depots required for NATO disposal. He supplies the controversial AK-47 ammunition to AEY, retaliates violently when cut out of the deal, and...

• Ralph Slutzky (played by Kevin Pollak) — supporting

  Local Miami businessman who funds AEY Inc. based on a misunderstanding that they only sell arms to protect Israel. He later wears a wire during incriminating meetings and is arrested by the FBI.

• Bashkim (played by JB Blanc) — supporting

  David's Albanian driver who disappears under suspicious circumstances, possibly killed. His fate becomes a point of interest when Henry later offers David hush money regarding the incident.

• Enver (played by Gabriel Spahiu) — supporting

  Albanian contractor responsible for repackaging the illegal ammunition. When unpaid by Efraim, he threatens to expose their activities to US authorities and ultimately reports them to the FBI, trigger...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Bashkim → David Packouz (Professional Driver) — Bashkim provides transportation for David in Albania.

  Bashkim is identified as David's Albanian driver during the ammunition operation.

• Enver → Efraim Diveroli (Professional Repackaging Contractor) — Enver performs the operational work needed to disguise the ammunition's origin.

  Enver handles the repackaging of the Chinese-made ammunition for the Afghan deal.

• Henry Girard → David Packouz (Professional Supplier Contact) — David is directly exposed to Henry through the ammunition transaction.

  David works on the Albanian ammunition operation involving Henry and later meets Henry after returning from Albania.

• Henry Girard → Efraim Diveroli (Professional Ammunition Supplier) — Henry supplies the ammunition central to AEY's Afghan deal.

  Henry controls unused Albanian weapon depots and agrees to provide Efraim with AK-47 ammunition.

• Ralph Slutzky → Efraim Diveroli (Power Financial Backer) — Ralph supplies financial support while misunderstanding AEY's actual business.

  Ralph funds AEY based on the false belief that it only sells arms to protect Israel.

• David Packouz → Ralph Slutzky (Professional Funded Associate) — David benefits from Ralph's financing of the company.

  Ralph provides AEY with funding, while David works in the company pursuing arms contracts.

Story Dynamics

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

• Henry Girard → Enver (Conflict Indirect Adversary) — Their separate roles in the same deal contribute to its collapse.

  Henry supplies the ammunition while Enver handles its repackaging, and Enver's report exposes the operation after the payment dispute.

• Bashkim → Henry Girard (Unknown Potential Victim) — Bashkim's disappearance links Henry to an unresolved danger surrounding the deal.

  David learns that Bashkim is missing and might have been killed, while Henry later offers money in exchange for no more questions.

• Enver → David Packouz (Conflict Threatened Accuser) — Enver's threat forces David to confront Efraim over the unpaid work.

  Enver threatens to report the relabeling to US authorities, and David promises to get Efraim to pay him.

• David Packouz → Efraim Diveroli (Social Old Friend) — Their prior friendship brings David into Efraim's arms-dealing operation.

  David runs into his old friend Efraim, who offers him a job at AEY Inc.

Story Analysis

A struggling Miami man enters arms contracting with an old friend, then confronts betrayal, violence, and the consequences of fraud.

Plot Progression

1. A Risky Invitation — David's failed business leaves him vulnerable to Efraim's offer. He joins AEY despite opposing war and begins bidding on government arms contracts.
2. The Jordanian Gamble — AEY wins a Beretta contract, but an embargo blocks the shipment in Jordan. David and Efraim bribe their way through the crisis and deliver the weapons into Iraq.
3. The Afghan Opportunity — AEY expands and pursues a massive ammunition contract. Henry provides access to Albanian depots, making the deal possible but exposing AEY to legal and moral dangers.
4. The Deal Unravels — David discovers that the ammunition is Chinese-made and embargoed, while Efraim orders it repackaged. Efraim's attempt to cut Henry out leads to violence and a breakdown of trust.
5. Exposure And Reckoning — Enver reports AEY after being denied payment, and David leaves the company with evidence against Efraim. The FBI arrests the principals, leading to unequal sentences and Henry's final hush-money offer...