Coneheads (1993) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

An alien family transforms an assigned conquest mission into a struggle for belonging, family loyalty, and a chosen home on Earth.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Crash From The Stars

Beldar arrives on Earth after a UFO crash near Manhattan. His assignment from Remulak conflicts with the immediate need to hide among humans.

Key Events

• UFO Enters American Airspace — A UFO is discovered in American airspace and investigated by fighter jets. Location: American airspace
• Craft Crashes Near Manhattan — Fighter jets fire on the unresponsive craft, causing it to crash into the Atlantic Ocean. Characters: Beldar Location: Atlantic Ocean near Manhattan
• Remulak Mission Revealed — Beldar's assignment to conquer Earth for Remulak is established. Characters: Beldar, Highmaster Location: Remulak
• Appliance Repair Disguise — Beldar becomes an appliance repairman while attempting to blend into human society. Characters: Beldar Location: New York area
• False Identity Obtained — Beldar's boss obtains a false identity after discovering his undocumented status. Characters: Beldar Location: New York area

A Suburban Disguise

Beldar adopts human employment and obtains a false identity. The delayed rescue forces the alien family to create a lasting life in New Jersey.

Key Events

• False Identity Obtained — Beldar's boss obtains a false identity after discovering his undocumented status. Characters: Beldar Location: New York area
• Prymaat Announces Pregnancy — Beldar's wife informs him that she is pregnant. Characters: Beldar Location: New York area
• Rescue Delayed For Years — The family learns that a rescue ship will not arrive for many years. Characters: Beldar Location: New York area
• Move To Paramus — The family saves money, adopts the Conehead surname, and moves to suburban Paramus. Characters: Beldar Location: Paramus, New Jersey

Family Under Watch

The family settles into suburban society while the immigration case appears to fade. A Senate inquiry revives the pursuit, and generational tensions grow at home.

Key Events

• Driving School Opens — Beldar opens a driving school as the family establishes a suburban life. Characters: Beldar Location: Paramus, New Jersey
• Pursuit Temporarily Ends — The immigration pursuit stops after the investigating agent receives a promotion. Location: United States
• Senate Demands Closure — A Senate inquiry demands that the expensive immigration case be properly concluded. Location: United States Senate
• Connie Seeks Independence — The teenage daughter wants to fit in with peers, while Beldar objects to her relationship with a mechanic. Characters: Beldar Location: Paramus, New Jersey

The Rescue Deadline

Undercover agents reach the Conehead home just as the communication device announces contact from Remulak. The approaching rescue vessel threatens the family's attachment to Earth.

Key Events

• Agents Enter Undercover — Immigration agents pose as Jehovah's Witnesses and enter the Conehead home. Characters: Beldar Location: Conehead home
• Big Phone Beeps — The communication device signals contact from Remulak, and Beldar ejects the visitors. Characters: Beldar Location: Conehead home
• Rescue Vessel Approaches — Beldar receives notice that the long-awaited rescue vessel is approaching. Characters: Beldar Location: Paramus, New Jersey
• Family Faces Separation — The daughter says she wants to remain on Earth rather than leave with the family. Characters: Beldar Location: Conehead home

Trial And Chosen Home

Beldar returns to Remulak, faces a treason sentence, and survives an arena challenge. He then chooses his family's adopted planet over conquest and secures their legal future.

Key Events

• Arrest Delayed By Ronnie — The immigration agents arrive, but the daughter's boyfriend stalls them until the rescue vessel arrives. Characters: Beldar Location: Paramus, New Jersey
• Return To Remulak — Beldar returns to Remulak and presents earthly gifts to the Highmaster. Characters: Beldar, Highmaster Location: Remulak
• Treason Sentence — The Highmaster accuses Beldar of treason and sentences him to fight a ferocious creature. Characters: Beldar, Highmaster Location: Remulak arena
• Arena Creature Defeated — Beldar uses his golfing skill to hit a rock into the creature's mouth, making it choke. Characters: Beldar, Highmaster Location: Remulak arena
• Pardon And Return Granted — The Highmaster pardons Beldar and honors his request to return to Earth. Characters: Beldar, Highmaster Location: Remulak
• Invasion Faked — Beldar fakes an Earth attack, orders the invasion force to retreat, and disguises the ship's destruction. Characters: Beldar Location: Outer space
• Green Cards Promised — As a reward for the rescue, the former immigration pursuer agrees to provide green cards. Characters: Beldar Location: Earth
• Adopted Planet Settlement — The Conehead family settles into a happy life on Earth. Characters: Beldar Location: Earth

Story Breakdown

• Alien Arrival — Beldar reaches Earth after a hostile interception and remains tied to Remulak's mission.
  • UFO Crash — Fighter jets attack an unresponsive craft, sending it into the Atlantic near Manhattan.
  • Conquest Assignment — The Highmaster has assigned Beldar to conquer Earth for Remulak.
• Earthly Disguise — Beldar uses work and false documentation to conceal his alien identity.
  • Repairman Cover — Beldar becomes an appliance repairman while adapting to human society.
  • False Identity — His undocumented status leads his boss to obtain false identity documents.
• Suburban Family — The family turns an emergency stay into a stable life in New Jersey.
  • Paramus Home — They adopt the Conehead surname, buy a home, and move to Paramus.
  • Driving School — Beldar opens a driving school as the family blends into suburban life.
• Renewed Pursuit — An apparently abandoned immigration investigation returns through political pressure.
  • Promotion Pause — The investigation stops temporarily after the pursuing agent receives a promotion.
  • Senate Inquiry — A Senate inquiry demands that the costly case be properly concluded.
• Rescue And Separation — Contact from Remulak forces the family to confront conflicting loyalties and an imminent arrest.
  • Big Phone Signal — The communication device beeps with contact from Remulak during an undercover visit.
  • Earthly Attachment — The daughter wants to stay on Earth, creating a painful family choice.
• Remulak Judgment — Beldar's return becomes a trial before he rejects conquest in favor of family.
  • Treason Sentence — The Highmaster accuses Beldar of treason because his teeth have been capped.
  • Arena Victory — Beldar defeats the arena creature with a rock and earns a pardon.
• Chosen Home — Beldar protects his family's future by abandoning the conquest of Earth.
  • Faked Invasion — Beldar stages an Earth attack and orders the invasion force to retreat.
  • Legal Settlement — Green cards allow the family to settle into a happy life on Earth.

Directed by

Steve Barron

Key Cast

• Dan Aykroyd — Beldar
• Jane Curtin — Prymatt
• Michael McKean — Gorman Seedling, INS Deputy Commissioner
• Laraine Newman — Laarta
• Jason Alexander — Larry Farber