Simon Says (2007) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A slasher thriller following five teenagers who become stranded and hunted by a dual-identity killer in a remote forest.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Wrong Turn

Five teenagers take a wrong turn during spring break and encounter locals warning them about murders. They enter a store and meet the unhelpful brothers Simon and Stanley before heading to a campsite.

Key Events

• Wrong Turn & Warning — Teens take a wrong turn and are warned about local murders. Characters: Kate, Zack, Vicky, Riff, Ashley Location: Forest Road
• Store Encounter — Teens enter a store and encounter unhelpful brothers. Characters: Kate, Zack, Vicky, Riff, Simon / Stanley Location: General Store
• Ashley's Ambush — Simon / Stanley chases and murders Ashley in the woods. Characters: Ashley, Simon / Stanley Location: Woods
• Corpse Discovery — Zack finds the store closed and discovers hanging corpses. Characters: Zack Location: General Store
• Van Stranded — The group's van tires are punctured, leaving them stranded. Characters: Kate, Zack, Vicky, Riff Location: Forest Road

Forest Massacre

Ashley is ambushed and murdered in the woods. Zack discovers hanging corpses in the store, and the group's van is sabotaged. The teens find Ashley's mutilated remains and are hunted down one by one.

Key Events

• Van Stranded — The group's van tires are punctured, leaving them stranded. Characters: Kate, Zack, Vicky, Riff Location: Forest Road
• Doll Revelation — The teens find Ashley's head and limbs fashioned into a doll. Characters: Kate, Zack, Vicky, Riff Location: Forest
• Riff's Death — Simon / Stanley kills Riff while the group searches for Ashley. Characters: Riff, Simon / Stanley Location: Woods
• Vicky's Death — Simon / Stanley kills Vicky in the forest during the search. Characters: Vicky, Simon / Stanley Location: Woods
• Truck Deception — Simon lies to Kate about the others' safety while Zack hides. Characters: Kate, Simon / Stanley, Zack Location: Forest Road
• Backstory Explanation — Simon explains his family history and how he took over the gas station. Characters: Simon / Stanley, Kate Location: Truck

The Ghillie Deception

Simon deceives Kate while Zack hides in the truck. Simon takes Kate to a campsite and ties her down. Zack attempts to disguise himself as Stanley but is discovered, tortured, and burned alive.

Key Events

• Backstory Explanation — Simon explains his family history and how he took over the gas station. Characters: Simon / Stanley, Kate Location: Truck
• Campsite Trap — Simon takes Kate to a campsite and ties her to a table. Characters: Simon / Stanley, Kate Location: Old Campsite
• Ghillie Suit Exposure — Simon discovers Zack disguised as Stanley and chops off his fingers. Characters: Simon / Stanley, Zack Location: Old Campsite
• Tree Torture — Simon ties Zack to a tree and tortures him for information. Characters: Simon / Stanley, Zack Location: Woods
• Confession & Burning — Zack confesses his love for Kate, angering Simon who burns him alive. Characters: Simon / Stanley, Zack Location: Woods
• Identity Twist — Simon reveals he is actually Stanley, having killed their parents. Characters: Simon / Stanley, Kate Location: Woods

The Final Reveal

Simon reveals his true identity as Stanley and his twisted obsession. Kate uses seduction to escape, attacks him with a cleaver, but is ultimately recaptured and locked in the store basement with infant twins.

Key Events

• Identity Twist — Simon reveals he is actually Stanley, having killed their parents. Characters: Simon / Stanley, Kate Location: Woods
• Seduction Escape — Kate seduces Simon to distract him, allowing her to flee. Characters: Kate, Simon / Stanley Location: Woods
• Cleaver Attack — Kate attacks Simon with a cleaver, but he disappears after falling. Characters: Kate, Simon / Stanley Location: Woods
• Final Ambush — A hand reaches for Kate just before the screen cuts to black. Characters: Kate, Simon / Stanley Location: Woods
• Store Return — Simon returns to the store after the teens leave. Characters: Simon / Stanley Location: General Store
• Basement Captivity — Simon opens a trapdoor to reveal Kate tied up in the basement. Characters: Simon / Stanley, Kate Location: Store Basement

Story Breakdown

• Initial Journey — The teens arrive at the location and encounter local warnings before entering the store.
  • Wrong Turn Warning — Teens take a wrong turn and are cautioned about local murders.
  • Store Encounter — Teens meet the unhelpful brothers Simon and Stanley.
• First Bloodshed — The first victim is killed, and the horror escalates as bodies are discovered.
  • Ashley Ambush — Ashley is chased and murdered by the killer in the woods.
  • Corpse Discovery — Zack finds hanging corpses inside the abandoned store.
• Forest Hunt — The group searches for their missing friend while being systematically eliminated.
  • Doll Revelation — The teens discover Ashley's mutilated remains fashioned into a doll.
  • Riff and Vicky Deaths — Simon and Stanley kill Riff and Vicky during the search.
• Truck Deception — Simon manipulates Kate while Zack attempts a risky infiltration.
  • Backstory Explanation — Simon reveals his family history and how he took over the gas station.
  • Campsite Trap — Simon takes Kate to a campsite and ties her to a table.
• Identity Unraveling — Zack's disguise is exposed, leading to his torture and execution.
  • Ghillie Suit Exposure — Simon discovers Zack in the suit and chops off his fingers.
  • Zack Execution — Zack is tied to a tree, tortured, and burned alive.
• Climactic Confrontation — The killer's true identity is revealed, and Kate attempts a final escape.
  • Seduction Escape — Kate seduces Simon to distract him and flee the woods.
  • Cleaver Attack — Kate attacks Simon with a cleaver, but he vanishes after falling.
• Dark Resolution — The killer recaptures Kate, revealing a grim fate in the basement.
  • Final Ambush — A hand reaches for Kate just before the screen cuts to black.
  • Basement Captivity — Simon opens a trapdoor to reveal Kate tied up with infant twins.

Directed by

William Dear

Key Cast

• Crispin Glover — Simon / Stanley
• Margo Harshman — Kate
• Greg Cipes — Zack
• Kelly Vitz — Ashley
• Artie Baxter — Riff