Ned Rifle (2015) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A young man's quest to kill his rogue father unravels into betrayal, revenge, and tragedy.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Mission Begins

Ned leaves the Christian school at 18 with a single mission: to find and kill his father Henry. He visits his mother Fay in prison, who suggests contacting her brother Simon, while postgraduate Susan also seeks Simon.

Key Events

• Ned Leaves School — Ned leaves school at 18. Characters: Ned Rifle Location: Christian school
• Prison Visit to Fay — Visiting mother Fay in prison. Characters: Ned Rifle, Fay Grim Location: Prison
• Fay Suggests Simon — Fay advises contacting Simon. Characters: Ned Rifle, Fay Grim Location: Prison
• Susan Seeks Simon — Susan plans to write about Simon. Characters: Susan Weber Location: New York
• Trail to Seattle — Henry's trail leads to Seattle. Characters: Ned Rifle Location: New York
• Dash to Airport — Ned rushes off to the airport. Characters: Ned Rifle Location: New York

The Seattle Hunt

Ned learns Henry was last seen in Seattle and rushes to the airport, with Susan following. They reluctantly team up and discover Henry is kept in a clinic, having supposedly lost his mind.

Key Events

• Susan Follows Ned — Susan follows Ned to Seattle. Characters: Ned Rifle, Susan Weber Location: Airport
• Reluctant Team-Up — Ned and Susan reluctantly team up. Characters: Ned Rifle, Susan Weber Location: Airport
• Arrival in Seattle — Ned and Susan arrive in Seattle. Characters: Ned Rifle, Susan Weber Location: Seattle
• Henry in the Clinic — Henry is confined in a clinic. Characters: Ned Rifle, Susan Weber Location: Seattle clinic
• Feigned Madness — Henry's madness is feigned. Characters: Ned Rifle, Henry Fool Location: Seattle clinic

The Abduction

Ned abducts his willing father, planning to shoot him in open country, but Susan has removed the ammunition. She escapes with Henry, the money, and the gun.

Key Events

• Feigned Madness — Henry's madness is feigned. Characters: Ned Rifle, Henry Fool Location: Seattle clinic
• Abducting Henry — Ned abducts his willing father. Characters: Ned Rifle, Henry Fool Location: Seattle clinic
• The Empty Revolver — The revolver has no ammunition. Characters: Ned Rifle, Susan Weber Location: Open country
• Susan's Escape — Susan flees with Henry and gun. Characters: Susan Weber, Henry Fool, Ned Rifle Location: Open country
• Motel Near Spokane — Susan and Henry reach a motel. Characters: Susan Weber, Henry Fool Location: Motel near Spokane

Susan's Reckoning

At a motel near Spokane, Susan reveals she was Henry's underage victim from years ago. She and Henry share a night of passion while Ned tracks them down.

Key Events

• Motel Near Spokane — Susan and Henry reach a motel. Characters: Susan Weber, Henry Fool Location: Motel near Spokane
• Susan's Revelation — Susan reveals her past with Henry. Characters: Susan Weber, Henry Fool Location: Motel near Spokane
• Night of Passion — A passionate night at the motel. Characters: Susan Weber, Henry Fool Location: Motel near Spokane
• Ned Tracks the Pair — Ned waits outside for them. Characters: Ned Rifle Location: Motel near Spokane
• Susan Shoots Henry — Susan shoots Henry dead. Characters: Susan Weber, Henry Fool Location: Motel near Spokane

The Bloody Dawn

Susan shoots Henry dead, completing her unfinished business. Ned bursts in and accidentally stabs Susan in the struggle, leaving him surrounded by armed police.

Key Events

• Susan Shoots Henry — Susan shoots Henry dead. Characters: Susan Weber, Henry Fool Location: Motel near Spokane
• Ned Bursts In — Ned struggles with Susan inside. Characters: Ned Rifle, Susan Weber Location: Motel near Spokane
• Accidental Stabbing — Ned accidentally kills Susan. Characters: Ned Rifle, Susan Weber Location: Motel near Spokane
• Police Surround Ned — Police surround the motel outside. Characters: Ned Rifle Location: Motel near Spokane

Story Breakdown

• Ned's Deadly Mission — Ned leaves school with the sole purpose of finding and killing his father Henry.
  • Leaving the School — At 18, Ned is free to leave the devout Christian school.
  • Prison Visit to Fay — Ned visits his mother Fay, who cannot reveal Henry's whereabouts.
  • The Vow to Kill — Ned's mission is to find and kill his rogue father.
• The Reluctant Alliance — Ned and Susan team up despite his resistance to romance.
  • Susan's Hidden Agenda — Susan follows Ned with her own reasons to find Henry.
  • Forced Partnership — Ned reluctantly teams up with Susan.
  • Refused Romance — Ned keeps refusing a romance with Susan.
• The Seattle Discovery — Ned and Susan find Henry in a Seattle clinic.
  • Trail to Seattle — Henry was last heard of working in Seattle.
  • The Madness Clinic — Henry is kept in a special clinic, having lost his mind.
  • Feigned Insanity — Henry fakes madness for a quiet life among books.
• The Abduction Plot — Ned captures his father but the plan unravels.
  • Willing Captive — Henry willingly goes with Ned.
  • The Empty Revolver — Susan removes the ammunition from Ned's revolver.
  • Susan's Getaway — Susan escapes with Henry, money, and gun.
• Susan's Dark Past — Susan's true connection to Henry is revealed.
  • The 13-Year-Old Girl — Susan was Henry's underage victim; he served seven years.
  • Motel Passion — Susan and Henry's night of passion disturbs the motel.
  • Ned Closes In — Ned traces the pair and waits outside.
• The Bloody Climax — The final confrontation ends in death and capture.
  • Susan Kills Henry — Susan shoots Henry dead, completing her unfinished business.
  • Accidental Stabbing — Ned accidentally stabs Susan in the struggle.
  • Surrounded by Police — Armed police wait outside for Ned.

Directed by

Hal Hartley

Key Cast

• Aubrey Plaza — Susan Weber
• Parker Posey — Fay Grim
• Liam Aiken — Ned Rifle
• Robert John Burke — Chet
• Martin Donovan — Rev. Daniel Gardner