Newness (2017) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A modern romance exploring digital dating, infidelity, and the search for authentic connection in Los Angeles.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Digital Connections

Martin and Gabriella meet through a dating app after bad dates. They spend the night talking, have sex, and Gabriella moves into Martin's apartment, establishing a new domestic routine.

Key Events

• App Match and Bar Talk — Both match on app after bad dates, spend night talking. Characters: Martin Hallock Location: Bar
• First Night Together — Return to apartment, have sex, begin relationship. Characters: Martin Hallock Location: Martin's Apartment
• Moving In Together — Gabriella moves in, establishing domestic routine. Characters: Martin Hallock Location: Martin's Apartment
• Dementia Revelation — Father reveals mother's dementia, Martin hides it. Characters: Martin Hallock Location: Martin's Parents' House
• Secrets Confrontation — Gabriella confronts Martin about hidden photos and dementia. Characters: Martin Hallock Location: Martin's Apartment

Secrets and Betrayal

Family secrets surface when Martin's father reveals his mother's dementia. Martin hides this and his sister's death, leading to a confrontation. Both partners cheat on the same night, shattering their initial trust.

Key Events

• Secrets Confrontation — Gabriella confronts Martin about hidden photos and dementia. Characters: Martin Hallock Location: Martin's Apartment
• Sister's Death Revealed — Martin reveals sister died at 16 during heated argument. Characters: Martin Hallock Location: Martin's Apartment
• Mutual Infidelity — Both cheat on each other that night. Characters: Martin Hallock Location: Club and Bar
• Open Relationship Pact — Confess cheating, decide to begin open relationship. Characters: Martin Hallock Location: Martin's Apartment
• Larry's Party Invitation — Blake invites them to boss's house party. Characters: Blake Beeson Location: Larry's House

Open Dynamics

After confessing infidelity, they agree to an open relationship. Gabriella grows closer to Larry while Martin struggles with his ex-wife's new life and unresolved grief over a miscarriage.

Key Events

• Larry's Party Invitation — Blake invites them to boss's house party. Characters: Blake Beeson Location: Larry's House
• Party Flirting — Martin flirts with Blake, Gabriella with older Larry. Characters: Martin Hallock, Larry Bejerano, Blake Beeson Location: Larry's House
• Threesome Rejection — Gabriella rejects threesome request due to friendship. Characters: Martin Hallock Location: Martin's Apartment
• Time with Larry — Gabriella spends more time with Larry and his daughter. Characters: Larry Bejerano Location: Larry's House
• Ex's Child Discovery — Martin discovers ex-wife had a child, watches old videos. Characters: Martin Hallock Location: Martin's Apartment
• Bar Meeting with Blake — Martin runs into Blake, they drink and talk. Characters: Martin Hallock, Blake Beeson Location: Bar

Shattered Illusions

Hidden messages and a necklace trigger a final breakup. Gabriella moves in with Larry but faces his emotional belittlement. Martin finds peace with his ex-wife, while Gabriella breaks down and returns to Martin.

Key Events

• Bar Meeting with Blake — Martin runs into Blake, they drink and talk. Characters: Martin Hallock, Blake Beeson Location: Bar
• Miscarriage Confession — Martin reveals Bethany's miscarriage and unresolved feelings. Characters: Martin Hallock, Blake Beeson Location: Bar
• Necklace Discovery — Martin finds hidden necklace from Larry, confronts Gabriella. Characters: Martin Hallock Location: Martin's Apartment
• Final Breakup — Fight over messages and necklace, they break up. Characters: Martin Hallock Location: Martin's Apartment
• Moving to Larry — Gabriella moves in with Larry after breakup. Characters: Larry Bejerano Location: Larry's House
• Europe Trip Invitation — Larry invites Gabriella to join a two-year business trip. Characters: Larry Bejerano Location: Larry's House
• Amicable Ex Meeting — Martin meets Bethany, they part ways peacefully. Characters: Martin Hallock, Bethany Location: Park
• Larry's Rejection — Larry calls her immature, she seduces men then texts Martin. Characters: Larry Bejerano Location: Club
• Reconciliation — Gabriella apologizes, Martin admits discomfort, they reunite. Characters: Martin Hallock Location: Martin's Apartment

Story Breakdown

• Digital Romance Arc — The initial meeting and rapid domestic integration through modern dating technology.
  • App Matching — Both characters match after disappointing real-world dates.
  • Moving In — Rapid escalation leads to Gabriella entering Martin's space.
• Family Secrets Arc — Hidden past traumas and family health crises surface during visits.
  • Dementia Reveal — Martin's father discloses his mother's condition.
  • Sister's Death — Martin confesses his sister's tragic death at sixteen.
• Infidelity Arc — Mutual cheating forces a radical restructuring of their relationship.
  • Night of Cheating — Both partners stray during separate nights out.
  • Open Pact — Confession leads to an agreement on non-monogamy.
• External Relationships Arc — New connections with Larry and Blake test the open arrangement.
  • Larry's Influence — Gabriella grows closer to an older, wealthy man.
  • Blake's Friendship — Social dynamics shift as boundaries are tested.
• Past Trauma Arc — Martin confronts unresolved grief regarding his ex-wife and lost child.
  • Ex's New Life — Martin learns Bethany had a child, triggering insecurity.
  • Miscarriage Grief — Martin reveals lingering pain over a past pregnancy loss.
• Breakup Arc — Hidden gifts and messages cause a final rupture, followed by reconciliation.
  • Necklace Discovery — Martin finds Larry's gift, sparking a final fight.
  • Return to Martin — Gabriella leaves Larry and returns to Martin for closure.

Directed by

Drake Doremus

Key Cast

• Nicholas Hoult — Martin Hallock
• Laia Costa — Gabi Silva
• Danny Huston — Larry Bejerano
• Courtney Eaton — Blake Beeson
• Matthew Gray Gubler — Paul