Everything Before Us (2015) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A sci-fi romance exploring how institutionalized relationship scoring impacts love, independence, and personal growth.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Score System & First Hurdles

Ben faces professional rejection due to a low relationship score while Sara successfully funds her cafe. Henry advises Ben to reconcile with his ex-girlfriend Sara at the D.E.I., leading to a mutual score boost that secures Ben's new job.

Key Events

• D.E.I. Score System Established — Introduction to a near-future society governed by emotional integrity scoring. Characters: Ben, Sara Location: Society
• Ben Denied Job at Origin — Ben faces professional rejection due to a low relationship score. Characters: Ben Location: Origin Company
• Sara Secures Cafe Loan — Sara leverages her high score to fund her new cafe venture. Characters: Sara Location: Bank
• Henry Suggests D.E.I. Appointment — Henry advises Ben to reconcile with Sara to improve his standing. Characters: Ben, Henry Location: Street
• Ben & Sara D.E.I. Reconciliation — Ben and Sara acknowledge mutual responsibility, boosting Ben's score. Characters: Ben, Sara, Randall Location: D.E.I. Office
• Ben Lands Design Job — Ben successfully secures a designer position at Origin. Characters: Ben Location: Origin Company
• Seth & Haley College Separation — The couple heads to different colleges, initiating a long-distance phase. Characters: Seth, Haley Location: Airport

New Bonds & Fracturing Trust

Ben begins dating coworker Anna while Seth and Haley navigate long-distance college life. Ben's late-night kiss with Sara at her cafe is discovered by Anna, triggering a confrontation that threatens Ben's new relationship.

Key Events

• Seth & Haley College Separation — The couple heads to different colleges, initiating a long-distance phase. Characters: Seth, Haley Location: Airport
• Long-Distance Registration — Seth and Haley officially register their relationship with Randall. Characters: Seth, Haley, Randall Location: D.E.I. Office
• Ben & Anna Relationship Begins — Ben starts dating his coworker Anna after his score improves. Characters: Ben, Anna Location: Origin Office
• Ben Paints Mural at Cafe — Ben volunteers to paint a mural, re-entering Sara's personal space. Characters: Ben, Sara Location: Sara's Cafe
• Late Night Kiss — Ben and Sara share a drink and a kiss, revealing lingering feelings. Characters: Ben, Sara Location: Sara's Cafe
• Anna Discovers Kiss — Anna confronts Ben about the kiss and threatens to end their relationship. Characters: Ben, Anna Location: Origin Office

Relationships Under Scrutiny

Seth's controlling behavior and unilateral decisions strain his relationship with Haley, who hides her London study plans. Simultaneously, D.E.I. agents investigate Sara's fraudulent relationship, jeopardizing her business.

Key Events

• Anna Discovers Kiss — Anna confronts Ben about the kiss and threatens to end their relationship. Characters: Ben, Anna Location: Origin Office
• Seth Visits Haley & Gets Ditched — Seth travels to visit Haley but finds she prioritized friends over him. Characters: Seth, Haley Location: Haley's College
• Seth Applies to Transfer — Seth unilaterally applies to Haley's college, causing friction. Characters: Seth Location: University Portal
• Seth Catches Haley at Party — Seth discovers Haley at a party, deepening their mutual distrust. Characters: Seth, Haley Location: Fraternity House
• Haley Hides London Plans — Haley conceals her intention to study in London from Seth. Characters: Haley Location: Dormitory
• D.E.I. Audits Sara for Fraud — D.E.I. agents investigate Sara's fraudulent relationship with Jeremy. Characters: Sara, Randall Location: Sara's Cafe

Audit, Termination & Rebirth

Ben loses his job after his score drops, while Seth officially terminates his relationship with Haley. Randall breaks protocol to share Ben's testimony with Sara, leading to a collaborative mural painting that symbolizes emotional liberation.

Key Events

• D.E.I. Audits Sara for Fraud — D.E.I. agents investigate Sara's fraudulent relationship with Jeremy. Characters: Sara, Randall Location: Sara's Cafe
• Ben Loses Job After Breakup — Ben's relationship score plummets after breaking up with Anna, costing him his job. Characters: Ben Location: Origin Office
• Seth & Ben Seek D.E.I. Advice — Both men visit Randall for guidance on handling their failing relationships. Characters: Seth, Ben, Randall Location: D.E.I. Office
• Seth Terminates Relationship — Seth officially ends his relationship with Haley, taking full fault. Characters: Seth, Haley, Randall Location: D.E.I. Office
• Randall Shares Ben's Testimony — Randall breaks protocol to give Sara Ben's honest emotional testimony. Characters: Randall, Sara Location: Sara's Cafe
• Ben & Sara Rebuild Mural — Ben and Sara collaboratively finish the mural, symbolizing a fresh start. Characters: Ben, Sara Location: Sara's Cafe

Story Breakdown

• Institutional Control — The D.E.I. system dictates social and professional standing through relationship scores.
  • Score-Based Society — Citizens' life opportunities depend on emotional integrity metrics.
  • D.E.I. Audits — Agents investigate and penalize fraudulent or failing relationships.
• Ben & Sara Journey — Former lovers navigate past conflicts and institutional pressure to reconnect.
  • Past Reconciliation — Ben and Sara acknowledge mutual responsibility to boost scores.
  • Mural Rebuilding — Collaborative art symbolizes their renewed emotional bond.
• Seth & Haley Conflict — A college couple struggles with distance, control, and diverging futures.
  • Long-Distance Strain — Physical separation and social activities create emotional gaps.
  • Unilateral Decisions — Seth's lack of consultation alienates Haley and accelerates breakup.
• Professional Entanglements — Workplace dynamics intersect with personal relationships and scoring.
  • Ben's New Job — Ben secures employment at Origin after score improvement.
  • Anna's Betrayal — Anna terminates her relationship with Ben upon discovering his kiss with Sara.
• Systemic Fraud — Characters manipulate the scoring system, leading to institutional scrutiny.
  • Sara's Score Manipulation — Sara uses a fake relationship to maintain her high standing.
  • D.E.I. Investigation — Agents uncover the fraud, drastically lowering Sara's score.
• Emotional Liberation — Characters break free from institutional constraints to forge independent paths.
  • Seth's Termination — Seth formally ends his relationship, accepting full responsibility.
  • Independent Futures — Haley moves to London while Seth relocates to San Francisco.

Directed by

Wesley Chan, Philip Wang

Key Cast

• Aaron Yoo — Ben
• Brittany Ishibashi — Sara
• Brandon Soo Hoo — Seth
• Victoria Park — Haley
• Randall Park — Randall