The Special (2020) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A troubled man is drawn into a mysterious sexual experience whose consequences destroy his sense of trust, safety, and reality.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Revenge and the Forbidden Offer

Jerry is destabilized by Lisa's suspected cheating. Mike pressures him toward revenge and introduces the mysterious Special.

Key Events

• Lisa's Suspected Betrayal — Jerry becomes troubled after learning that Lisa may have cheated on him. Characters: Jerry, Lisa Location: Jerry and Lisa's home
• Mike Demands Revenge — Mike argues that Jerry should answer suspected infidelity with infidelity of his own. Characters: Mike, Jerry Location: Jerry and Lisa's home
• The Special Is Offered — Mike promises Jerry a mysterious experience called the Special. Characters: Mike, Jerry Location: Unknown meeting place
• The Covered Journey — Mike covers Jerry's head so Jerry cannot find the destination again. Characters: Mike, Jerry Location: Unknown route

Behind the Covered Door

Mike takes Jerry to Madame Zhora's establishment with his head covered. Jerry submits to the Special, but the experience remains unclear and deeply disturbing.

Key Events

• Madame Zhora's Establishment — The destination appears to be a psychic parlor functioning as a brothel front. Characters: Mike, Jerry, Madame Zhora Location: Madame Zhora's establishment
• Jerry Submits — Jerry eventually submits to the Special despite his initial refusal. Characters: Mike, Jerry Location: Madame Zhora's establishment
• The Unclear Experience — The details of the Special remain unclear, leaving Jerry deeply disturbed afterward. Characters: Jerry Location: Madame Zhora's establishment
• A Once-Only Warning — Another man confirms that the Special should be experienced only once. Characters: Jerry Location: Unknown location

Secrets at Home

Jerry attempts to repair his relationship with Lisa while hiding the Special. Lisa's pregnancy and the explanation for her texts create uncertainty rather than relief.

Key Events

• Attempted Normality — Jerry tries to resume ordinary life and repair his relationship with Lisa. Characters: Jerry, Lisa Location: Jerry and Lisa's home
• Lisa Announces Pregnancy — Lisa tells Jerry that she is pregnant, while Jerry worries he has been speaking in his sleep. Characters: Jerry, Lisa Location: Jerry and Lisa's home
• The Snowblower Explanation — Jerry learns that Lisa's texts concerned a snowblower salesman, not necessarily an affair. Characters: Jerry, Lisa Location: Shopping center
• Jerry Hides the Secret — Jerry conceals the truth about the Special from Lisa. Characters: Jerry, Lisa Location: Jerry and Lisa's home

Death and Physical Deterioration

Madame Zhora is found dead as Jerry develops a frightening rash. Medical treatment fails to resolve his fear, while Lisa's miscarriage deepens the crisis.

Key Events

• Mike Urges Silence — Mike tells Jerry to forget the entire incident. Characters: Mike, Jerry Location: Unknown meeting place
• Madame Zhora Found Dead — Madame Zhora is found dead upstairs, and foul play is suspected. Characters: Madame Zhora, Jerry Location: Upstairs room
• The Spreading Rash — Jerry develops a painful rash that spreads across his penis. Characters: Jerry Location: Jerry and Lisa's home
• Medical Treatment — A doctor prescribes ointment, but Jerry remains frightened and evasive about the cause. Characters: Jerry Location: Doctor's office

The Garage Confrontation

Jerry becomes desperate and buys bolt cutters before returning to a disturbing home. Mike arrives through the garage and offers concealment, but the truth remains unresolved.

Key Events

• Lisa's Miscarriage — Lisa says that she has miscarried, intensifying the couple's emotional strain. Characters: Jerry, Lisa Location: Jerry and Lisa's home
• Jerry Buys Bolt Cutters — Jerry purchases bolt cutters as his fear and desperation increase. Characters: Jerry Location: Hardware store
• The Disturbing Return — Jerry returns home, encounters a disturbing situation, and cannot locate Lisa. Characters: Jerry, Lisa Location: Jerry and Lisa's home
• Mike Enters Through Garage — Mike enters through the open garage, recognizes Jerry's illness, and invokes the condition linked to Madame Zhora. Characters: Mike, Jerry Location: Open garage and home
• Unresolved Offer — Mike offers to help conceal possible involvement in Madame Zhora's death before the confrontation ends unresolved. Characters: Mike, Jerry Location: Jerry and Lisa's home

Story Breakdown

• Suspected Betrayal — Jerry's belief that Lisa cheated creates the emotional vulnerability that Mike exploits.
  • Lisa's Apparent Infidelity — Jerry becomes troubled after learning that Lisa may have cheated on him.
  • Mike's Revenge Argument — Mike insists that Jerry should even the score through unfaithfulness.
• The Special Offered — Mike presents the Special as a mysterious and addictive experience.
  • A Mysterious Promise — Mike promises Jerry an experience whose details are not explained.
  • The Covered Route — Mike uses a bag to prevent Jerry from finding the destination again.
• Zhora's Establishment — The hidden destination appears to be a psychic parlor masking a brothel.
  • Hidden Front — Madame Zhora's establishment presents itself as a psychic parlor.
  • Jerry Submits — Jerry eventually accepts the Special despite initially refusing it.
• Domestic Uncertainty — Jerry attempts to restore normal life while concealing the Special from Lisa.
  • Pregnancy Revelation — Lisa tells Jerry that she is pregnant, increasing his alarm.
  • Snowblower Explanation — Jerry learns that Lisa's texts may have concerned a snowblower salesman.
• Death and Illness — Madame Zhora's death coincides with Jerry's frightening physical deterioration.
  • Zhora Found Dead — Madame Zhora is found dead upstairs and foul play is suspected.
  • Painful Spreading Rash — Jerry develops a painful rash and receives ointment from a doctor.
• Loss and Desperation — Lisa's miscarriage and Jerry's escalating fear push the story toward confrontation.
  • Lisa's Miscarriage — Lisa says that she has miscarried, intensifying the strain between them.
  • Bolt Cutter Purchase — Jerry buys bolt cutters as his desperation grows.
• Garage Confrontation — Mike returns to Jerry's disturbed home and offers help without resolving the underlying mystery.
  • Lisa Cannot Be Found — Jerry returns home and cannot locate Lisa in the disturbing situation he encounters.
  • Mike's Concealment Offer — Mike offers to help hide possible involvement in Madame Zhora's death.

Directed by

B. Harrison Smith

Key Cast

• Dave Sheridan — Mike
• Sarah French — Lisa
• Davy Raphaely — Jerry
• Doug Henderson — Ivan
• Susan Moses — Madame Zhora