Wakefield (2017) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A dissatisfied husband turns voluntary disappearance into an experiment in freedom, control, and self-recognition before attempting to return home.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Accidental Hideaway

Howard discovers that the detached garage attic gives him a private view into his home. After feeling rejected, he allows the accidental overnight absence to become deliberate.

Key Events

• Marriage Under Strain — Howard's fifteen-year marriage is strained by resentment and flirtation. Characters: Howard Wakefield, Taylor, Giselle Location: Wakefield home
• Power Outage Commute — A widespread power outage delays Howard's commute home. Characters: Howard Wakefield Location: New York City
• Raccoon Into Garage — Howard chases a raccoon into the detached garage attic. Characters: Howard Wakefield Location: Detached garage
• Secret View Home — Howard discovers he can watch his family from the attic. Characters: Howard Wakefield, Taylor, Giselle Location: Garage attic
• Dinner Plate Rejected — Howard ignores calls and feels insulted when his dinner is discarded. Characters: Howard Wakefield Location: Garage attic

A Disappearance Takes Shape

The family reports Howard missing, while he secretly returns to shower and take supplies. He becomes increasingly resentful of the household's ability to continue without him.

Key Events

• Missing Person Report — The family reports Howard missing after finding his car still at home. Characters: Howard Wakefield, Babs Location: Wakefield home
• Babs Arrives — Babs arrives to comfort the family and argues about Howard's disappearance. Characters: Howard Wakefield, Babs Location: Wakefield home
• House Infiltration — Howard secretly showers, takes food, and removes evidence of his visit. Characters: Howard Wakefield Location: Wakefield home
• Responsibilities Abandoned — Howard enjoys abandoning work and domestic responsibilities while observing his daughters. Characters: Howard Wakefield, Taylor, Giselle Location: Garage attic
• Refusing Former Life — Howard vows not to use his money or return to his former lifestyle. Characters: Howard Wakefield Location: Garage attic

Life Outside The House

Howard abandons money, work, grooming, and domestic comfort. He survives through trash foraging and an outdoor bathroom while watching his family from a distance.

Key Events

• Refusing Former Life — Howard vows not to use his money or return to his former lifestyle. Characters: Howard Wakefield Location: Garage attic
• Trash Foraging — Howard begins foraging through trash to survive outside his old life. Characters: Howard Wakefield Location: Neighborhood streets
• Neighbor's Outdoor Shower — Howard uses the backyard bathroom built by his neighbor Dr. Sondervan. Characters: Howard Wakefield, Dr. Sondervan Location: Dr. Sondervan's backyard
• Homeless Invisibility — Months of isolation transform Howard's appearance, causing people to dismiss him as homeless. Characters: Howard Wakefield Location: Town streets
• Attic Discovered — Emily and Herbert follow Howard and discover his hidden attic life. Characters: Howard Wakefield, Emily, Herbert Location: Garage attic

The Prison Of Freedom

Emily and Herbert discover Howard's attic refuge, exposing the fragility of his concealment. Howard reflects on his past manipulation and recognizes his selfishness as a husband and father.

Key Events

• Attic Discovered — Emily and Herbert follow Howard and discover his hidden attic life. Characters: Howard Wakefield, Emily, Herbert Location: Garage attic
• Old Rivalry Recalled — Howard recalls taking his future wife away from his best friend Dirk through deception. Characters: Howard Wakefield, Dirk Morrison Location: Howard's memories
• Freedom Becomes Prison — Howard recognizes his selfishness and suspects his family is happier without him. Characters: Howard Wakefield, Taylor, Giselle Location: Garage attic
• Unrecognized On Sidewalk — Howard leaves the garage, but his wife does not recognize him. Characters: Howard Wakefield Location: Neighborhood sidewalk

An Uncertain Homecoming

Howard sees Dirk involved with his wife and decides to return honestly rather than continue controlling her choices through disappearance. He enters the house during Christmas preparations and announces his return.

Key Events

• Unrecognized On Sidewalk — Howard leaves the garage, but his wife does not recognize him. Characters: Howard Wakefield Location: Neighborhood sidewalk
• Dirk Returns — Howard sees that Dirk has developed a romantic relationship with his wife. Characters: Howard Wakefield, Dirk Morrison Location: Neighborhood
• Choosing Honest Return — Howard cleans himself up, buys a suit, and decides to give his family an honest choice. Characters: Howard Wakefield Location: Clothing store and street
• Christmas Tree Return — Howard enters the house while his daughters decorate the Christmas tree and says he is home. Characters: Howard Wakefield, Taylor, Giselle Location: Wakefield home

Story Breakdown

• Strained Domestic Life — Howard begins from resentment within a fifteen-year marriage and a family routine he feels trapped by.
  • Marital Resentment — Flirtation intended to enliven the marriage instead contributes to mutual resentment.
  • Delayed Return — A power outage delays Howard's commute and brings him home distracted and irritated.
• The Garage Discovery — A raccoon chase unexpectedly places Howard in an attic overlooking his own family.
  • Attic View — Howard discovers a perfect view into the house and begins observing dinner.
  • Rejected Dinner — His ignored calls and discarded dinner intensify his feeling of rejection.
• Missing Without Leaving — Howard's accidental absence becomes a deliberate disappearance after the family contacts the police.
  • Police Report — The family reports Howard missing even though his car remains in the garage.
  • Secret Infiltration — Howard enters the house, showers, takes food, and removes evidence of his visit.
• Freedom In Hiding — Howard initially experiences his disappearance as liberation from professional and domestic obligations.
  • Watching Family — He observes household routines and realizes he is seeing more of his daughters' lives.
  • Rejecting Comfort — He stops using money and supplies from his previous life.
• Primitive Survival — Howard's experiment becomes a physically degrading existence outside ordinary social life.
  • Trash Foraging — He searches neighborhood trash for food and necessities.
  • Outdoor Washing — He uses the backyard bathroom built by his neighbor Dr. Sondervan.
• Exposure And Reflection — The hidden refuge is discovered, forcing Howard to examine the selfish motives behind his disappearance.
  • Residents Discover Him — Emily and Herbert follow Howard to the attic and discover his presence.
  • Past Rivalry — Howard recalls manipulating Dirk and questions whether he ever truly loved his wife.
• Recognition Of Guilt — Howard realizes that his freedom has become another form of imprisonment and that he made himself a victim.
  • Selfish Husband — He recognizes his jealousy, resentment, and selfishness within the marriage.
  • Family Without Him — He concludes that his family may be happier without his presence.
• Return To Uncertainty — Seeing Dirk with his wife changes Howard's objective from control to an honest return.
  • Unrecognized Stranger — Howard walks outside but is not recognized after months of transformation.
  • Christmas Homecoming — After buying a new suit, Howard enters the house and announces that he is home.

Directed by

Robin Swicord

Key Cast

• Bryan Cranston — Howard Wakefield
• Jennifer Garner — Diana Wakefield
• Jason O'Mara — Dirk Morrison
• Beverly D'Angelo — Babs
• Ian Anthony Dale — Ben Jacobs