The Falling (2015) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Lydia's grief after Abbie's death and the revelations within her family lead to a crisis that culminates in a tentative reconciliation with Eileen.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Friendship Under Strain

Lydia and Abbie are best friends and classmates, while Lydia's fixation on Abbie shapes their closeness. Abbie's pregnancy and encounter with Kenneth precede her detention with Lydia and sudden illness.

Key Events

• Lydia and Abbie at School — Lydia and Abbie are best friends and classmates in 1969. Characters: Lydia Lamont, Abbie Mortimer Location: English girls' school
• Lydia Fixates on Abbie — Lydia's intense attachment to Abbie shapes their friendship. Characters: Lydia Lamont, Abbie Mortimer Location: English girls' school
• Abbie's Pregnancy — Abbie is pregnant by a boy who is not identified in the supplied plot. Characters: Abbie Mortimer Location: Not specified
• Abbie Turns to Kenneth — Abbie has sex with Kenneth in an attempt to abort her pregnancy. Characters: Abbie Mortimer, Kenneth Lamont Location: Not specified
• Detention Together — Abbie and Lydia spend time in detention together. Characters: Abbie Mortimer, Lydia Lamont Location: School detention
• Abbie's Convulsions — After detention, Abbie has fainting spells and convulsions. Characters: Abbie Mortimer, Lydia Lamont Location: English girls' school
• Abbie Dies — Abbie's illness culminates in her death. Characters: Abbie Mortimer, Lydia Lamont Location: Not specified

The Fainting Epidemic

After Abbie dies and is buried, Lydia begins fainting, and similar brief episodes spread among girls and a young teacher. Lydia presses the school to respond, and a mass episode disrupts an assembly.

Key Events

• Abbie's Burial — Abbie is buried; the plot gives no further details about the ceremony. Characters: Lydia Lamont Location: Burial site
• Lydia Begins Fainting — After Abbie's burial, Lydia develops similar fainting spells. Characters: Lydia Lamont Location: Not specified
• Fainting Spreads — Numerous girls and a young teacher also pass out briefly. Characters: Lydia Lamont Location: English girls' school
• Lydia Demands Action — Lydia insists that the school administration respond to the episodes. Characters: Lydia Lamont Location: English girls' school
• Assembly Disrupted — A mass fainting episode interrupts an assembly. Characters: Lydia Lamont Location: School assembly
• School Temporarily Closes — The school closes temporarily after the mass fainting episode. Characters: Lydia Lamont Location: English girls' school

Expulsion and Family Revelation

Affected students are hospitalised and psychoanalysed, but no cause is found. The school reopens and expels Lydia; that night, Eileen catches Lydia with Kenneth and reveals their shared parentage and the circumstances of Lydia's conception.

Key Events

• Students Hospitalised — Affected students are hospitalised and psychoanalysed. Characters: Lydia Lamont Location: Hospital
• No Cause Found — No cause for the fainting spells is discovered. Characters: Lydia Lamont Location: Hospital
• Lydia Is Expelled — The school reopens, and Lydia is expelled. Characters: Lydia Lamont Location: English girls' school
• Lydia and Kenneth Together — That night, Lydia loses her virginity with Kenneth. Characters: Lydia Lamont, Kenneth Lamont Location: Lamont home
• Eileen Reveals the Truth — Eileen catches them and reveals they are half-siblings and Lydia was conceived through rape. Characters: Eileen Lamont, Lydia Lamont, Kenneth Lamont Location: Lamont home

Flight and Reconciliation

Lydia flees, and Eileen follows her outdoors for the first time in over sixteen years, experiencing flashbacks as she searches. She finds Lydia in a tree near the school; after Lydia falls into the lake, they embrace and reconcile.

Key Events

• Lydia Flees — Lydia flees, and Eileen follows her outside for the first time in over sixteen years. Characters: Eileen Lamont, Lydia Lamont Location: Outside the Lamont home
• Eileen's Flashbacks — While searching for Lydia, Eileen is overcome by flashbacks of her rape. Characters: Eileen Lamont Location: Outside the Lamont home
• Lydia Climbs the Tree — In a breakdown over Abbie's death, Lydia climbs a tree where she and Abbie spent time. Characters: Lydia Lamont, Eileen Lamont Location: Tree near the school
• Lydia Falls into the Lake — After challenging Eileen, Lydia loses her footing and falls into the lake. Characters: Lydia Lamont, Eileen Lamont Location: Lake near the school
• Mother and Daughter Reconcile — Eileen cradles Lydia, who regains consciousness as they embrace and reconcile. Characters: Lydia Lamont, Eileen Lamont Location: Lake near the school

Story Breakdown

• School Friendship — Lydia and Abbie's close bond forms the emotional foundation of the story.
  • Best Friends — Lydia and Abbie are classmates and best friends.
  • Lydia's Fixation — Lydia's intense attachment shapes her relationship with Abbie.
• Abbie's Crisis — Abbie's pregnancy and her encounter with Kenneth precede her sudden illness.
  • Pregnancy and Kenneth — Abbie has sex with Kenneth in an attempt to abort her pregnancy.
  • Detention and Convulsions — Abbie has fainting spells and convulsions after detention with Lydia.
• Death and Grief — Abbie dies, and Lydia's grief is followed by similar fainting spells.
  • Abbie's Burial — Abbie is buried after her death.
  • Lydia's Spells — Lydia begins fainting after the burial.
• School Epidemic — The brief fainting episodes spread through the school and disrupt its routine.
  • Episodes Spread — Numerous girls and a young teacher pass out briefly.
  • Assembly Disrupted — A mass fainting episode interrupts an assembly.
• Institutional Response — The school closes temporarily, and affected students are examined without a cause being found.
  • Hospital and Analysis — Affected students are hospitalised and psychoanalysed.
  • Expulsion — After the school reopens, Lydia is expelled.
• Family Revelation — Lydia's encounter with Kenneth leads Eileen to disclose the truth about their family.
  • Lydia and Kenneth — Lydia has sex with Kenneth after her expulsion.
  • Eileen's Disclosure — Eileen reveals they are half-siblings and Lydia was conceived through rape.
• Flight and Reconciliation — Lydia flees, and Eileen follows her to the place associated with Lydia and Abbie.
  • The Tree and Lake — Lydia climbs a tree near the school and falls into the lake.
  • Mother and Daughter — Eileen cradles Lydia, who regains consciousness as they embrace and reconcile.

Directed by

Carol Morley

Key Cast

• Maisie Williams — Lydia Lamont
• Maxine Peake — Eileen Lamont
• Greta Scacchi — Miss Edith Mantel
• Monica Dolan — Miss Martha Alvaro
• Mathew Baynton — Mr. Hopkins