Max Berenson Character Analysis in The Silent Patient

Max Berenson is Alicia’s lawyer, Tanya’s boss and husband, and Gabriel’s adopted older brother. While Gabriel is handsome and effortlessly charming, Max is physically unattractive, traditional, and somewhat frightening. Max claims to be straightforward and law-abiding, but in fact, his protestations that he “loathed” Alicia cover up his lust for her; on more than one occasion, he tries to sexually assault her while Gabriel is in the next room. Though Max offers Theo some help in his investigation, pointing him towards Dr. West and providing insight into Alicia’s relationship with Gabriel, he is also one of the first characters to publicly call Theo out for transgressing professional boundaries.

Max Berenson Character Timeline in The Silent Patient

The timeline below shows where the character Max Berenson appears in The Silent Patient. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...while Alicia had been in the car. The only other contact in her file is Max Berenson, Gabriel’s brother and Alicia’s lawyer. Theo decides to call his office. (full context)

...in a Greek tragedy.” The receptionist at Gabriel’s brother’s office answers and informs Theo that Max will be away all week. Theo then tries Lydia Rose, but as soon as she... (full context)

To Theo’s surprise, he gets a call from Max Berenson, who asks if something is wrong with Alicia. Theo asks if he can talk... (full context)

Both Max Berenson and his receptionist have a cold. Max is initially hesitant to see Theo, fearing... (full context)

Max tells Theo that he and Gabriel were close, but Gabriel “took center stage,” while Max... (full context)

After robotically insisting that he likes Alicia, Max confesses the truth: “I hated her…I loathed her.” He believes that Alicia robbed Gabriel of... (full context)

Finally, Max tells Theo that Alicia would often have violent mood swings, breaking things and threatening to... (full context)

...the accident,” Tanya says. But before she can finish her sentence, she is interrupted by Max. Theo notes that Tanya is afraid of Max, and he wonders why that is. (full context)

...“disappear,” especially because Gabriel has arranged for the two of them to have dinner with Max, even though he knows Alicia can’t stand him. The cool café is about to close,... (full context)

...following day, July 24th, where she summarizes the night before in her diary. She recalls Max showing up to the house in shorts, sweating profusely and refusing to make eye contact.... (full context)

Silence vs. “The Talking Cure” Theme Icon

Once they were alone, Alicia told Max that she was going to tell Gabriel about what Max did to her the last... (full context)

Max warned Alicia not to say anything to Gabriel and returned to the dinner table. Max... (full context)

...is confused about why Alicia’s earlier suicide attempt is nowhere in her files. He calls Max, who impatiently explains that Gabriel hired a private doctor for Alicia instead of bringing her... (full context)

Empathy, Identification, and Boundaries Theme Icon

After lunch, Diomedes calls Theo into his office. Max has called the Grove to complain about Theo’s investigations, and Diomedes is frustrated that Theo... (full context)

...the Alcestis was being displayed. Theo introduces himself to the gallerist, Jean-Felix Martin, explaining that Max Berenson suggested the two should meet. Jean-Felix promises to answer Theo’s questions, making it clear... (full context)

...better. Worse still, Gabriel announces that that night, they will go out to dinner with Max and Tanya. Alicia begins to fear that the man outside the window is Max, and... (full context)

...feels different: even Augusto’s, their regular spot, no longer feels comforting and safe. At dinner, Max is all over Tanya, as if he is trying to make Alicia jealous. But both... (full context)

...pub near Paul’s house (so as not to disturb an already-angry Lydia). Finally, Theo calls Max Berenson, telling him about the diary and revealing what Alicia had written about Max’s feelings... (full context)

Theo goes outside to smoke a cigarette, but he is interrupted by Max Berenson and Tanya. Max, having heard the news about Alicia, is violently angry; Tanya has... (full context)