The Screwfly Solution (2006) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A global epidemic destroys male sanity and female life, leaving Anne to uncover an alien biological-control experiment.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Femicides Spread

A worldwide wave of femicides draws Bella into an investigation. Her findings connect the violence to infected men and reveal that the crisis is global.

Key Events

• Worldwide Femicides Begin — A wave of femicides spreads worldwide while Anne, Alan, and Amy remain a family. Characters: Anne, Alan, Amy Location: Around the world
• Rainforest Research — Alan works alongside Barney on an insect problem in the rainforest. Characters: Alan, Barney Location: Rainforest
• Bella Travels South — Bella travels to Jacksonville to investigate the concentration of femicides. Characters: Bella Location: Jacksonville, Florida
• Soldier Interview — Bella interviews an infected soldier who murdered a stripper at a club. Characters: Bella Location: Jacksonville, Florida
• Aggression Pattern Identified — Bella links the aggression to sexual arousal and extremist religious rhetoric. Characters: Bella Location: Jacksonville, Florida
• Bella Discovers Global Scale — Bella discovers tens of thousands of similar murders across the world. Characters: Bella Location: Jacksonville, Florida

The Unheeded Warning

Bella's warning reaches Barney, who joins Alan in briefing officials. Their proposed chemical or surgical solution is rejected by a skeptical and indignant military panel.

Key Events

• Bella Is Killed — Bella is attacked and killed by an infected mayor before completing her investigation. Characters: Bella Location: Jacksonville, Florida
• Warning Reaches Barney — Before her death, Bella informs Barney about the epidemic. Characters: Barney Location: Rainforest
• Washington Briefing — Alan and Barney brief officials on whether the condition is natural or bioterrorism. Characters: Alan, Barney Location: Washington, D.C.
• Castration Proposal Rejected — They conclude chemical or surgical castration is necessary, but the military reception is hostile. Characters: Alan, Barney Location: Washington, D.C.
• Barney Takes the Shot — Barney accepts the proposed chemical treatment while Alan refuses the shot. Characters: Barney Location: Washington, D.C.
• Alan Rejects Treatment — Alan refuses the shot and says he will rely on pills instead. Characters: Alan Location: Washington, D.C.

A Family Destroyed

Alan recognizes that he is infected and says goodbye to Anne and Amy. In the Ontario rainforest, Anne must shoot him after he attacks Amy, but Amy returns to him and is presumed killed.

Key Events

• Murderous Dreams — Alan begins dreaming about killing Anne and recognizes that the infection is affecting him. Characters: Alan, Anne Location: Airplane
• Goodbye From the Plane — After witnessing two murders, Alan calls Anne and Amy to say goodbye. Characters: Alan, Anne, Amy Location: Airplane
• Flight Toward Canada — Anne and Amy continue northward with other women to escape the infected men. Characters: Anne, Amy Location: Road toward Canada
• Alan Attacks the Family — Infected Alan sexually assaults Amy, and Anne shoots him in the legs. Characters: Alan, Anne, Amy Location: Ontario rainforest cabin
• Amy Returns to Alan — Amy steals the car, returns to Alan, and is presumed killed after Anne arrives too late. Characters: Alan, Anne, Amy Location: Ontario rainforest cabin

Winter Without Shelter

Anne escapes a hospital massacre with Barney and hides under a male disguise. They endure winter together until Barney dies, leaving Anne alone.

Key Events

• Hospital Escape — Anne wakes after three days in a hospital where female patients are being murdered, then escapes with Barney. Characters: Anne, Barney Location: Hospital
• Disguised Survival — Anne disguises herself as a man and overhears that the area's female population has been wiped out. Characters: Anne, Barney Location: Rural settlement
• Winter Camp — Anne and Barney endure a harsh winter in a simple tent while Barney becomes ill. Characters: Anne, Barney Location: Camping tent
• Barney Dies — Barney encourages Anne to survive, then dies peacefully and is buried by her. Characters: Anne, Barney Location: Camping tent

The Screwfly Revelation

Anne evades hunters and discovers that bright aliens caused the epidemic through biological-control technology. The remaining female life on Earth is ultimately presumed exterminated.

Key Events

• Hunters Pursue Anne — While seeking supplies, Anne is discovered and followed by hunters in a car. Characters: Anne Location: Road near a convenience store
• Alien Source Revealed — Anne discovers bright alien beings using technology to create the femicide epidemic as biological control. Characters: Anne Location: Woods
• Hunters Are Killed — The bright aliens kill the hunters and apparently take some of their brain matter. Characters: Anne Location: Woods
• Anne Faces the Blizzard — Anne is seen shivering outside a cave during a snowstorm. Characters: Anne Location: Cave entrance
• Female Life Ends — By December, female life is presumed exterminated and infected men are left to die off. Characters: Anne Location: Earth

Story Breakdown

• Global Violence Emerges — Worldwide femicides expose an expanding threat to women.
  • Femicides Spread — A rash of murders breaks out across the world during the summer.
  • Family Faces Danger — Anne and Amy become vulnerable while Alan works away from home.
• Bella Investigates — Bella studies the murders and identifies their disturbing behavioral pattern.
  • Jacksonville Interview — Bella interviews an infected soldier connected to a club murder.
  • Global Pattern — She discovers tens of thousands of similar killings worldwide.
• Scientific Warning Fails — Barney and Alan attempt to persuade officials to authorize drastic prevention.
  • Coordinated Findings — Bella informs Barney while matching epidemic findings are assembled.
  • Military Rejection — Officials reject chemical or surgical castration as an unacceptable solution.
• Alan Turns Infected — Alan recognizes that the condition is changing him and threatens his family.
  • Murderous Dreams — Alan dreams of killing Anne and realizes he is infected.
  • Final Telephone Call — Alan calls Anne and Amy to say goodbye before returning home.
• Family Escape Collapses — Anne and Amy flee north, but Alan's infection reaches them in the Ontario rainforest.
  • Cabin Confrontation — Anne shoots Alan in the legs when he attacks Amy.
  • Amy Returns — Amy steals the car and returns to Alan, after which she is presumed killed.
• Barney's Last Protection — Barney helps Anne escape and supports her through the final stages of survival.
  • Hospital Escape — Anne wakes during a massacre and escapes with Barney in disguise.
  • Winter Burial — Barney dies peacefully after urging Anne to survive, and she buries him.
• Alien Control Revealed — Anne discovers the epidemic's nonhuman source while attempting to evade pursuers.
  • Hunters Pursue Anne — Hunters follow Anne after she seeks supplies at a convenience store.
  • Bright Aliens — Alien beings use technology to produce the femicide epidemic as biological control.
• Extinction in Winter — Anne faces the last stage of a catastrophe that appears to eliminate all female life.
  • Snowstorm Vigil — Anne shivers outside a cave during a severe snowstorm.
  • Female Life Ends — By December, female life is presumed exterminated and infected men slowly die off.

Directed by

Joe Dante

Key Cast

• Jason Priestley — Alan
• Elliott Gould — Barney
• Kerry Norton — Anne
• Linda Darlow — Bella
• Brenna O'Brien — Amy