Zeroes (2019) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A group’s awkward efforts to intervene in the world intersect with a reporter's murder investigation, leading to an uncompleted sting plan.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Murder Interrupts the Debate

Kenneth voices his frustration with repeated superhero origin stories while a friend argues that they deserve examination. A television report about a murder and the suspected Schuylkill Strangler shifts attention to Kate's coverage of the case.

Key Events

• Kenneth Criticizes Origin Stories — Kenneth complains that superhero films repeatedly retell origin stories. Characters: Kenneth Location: Unspecified
• A Friend Defends the Stories — A friend argues that the stories are worth examining. Characters: Kenneth Location: Unspecified
• Television Reports a Murder — A report announces a woman's murder and suspicion of the Schuylkill Strangler. Characters: Kenneth Location: Unspecified
• Kate Covers the Case — Kate reports on the murder investigation as it develops. Characters: Kate Location: Unspecified

Awkward Attempts at Change

Kenneth and Gary struggle with work and their friendship as Ray becomes involved in their efforts. Their attempt to clean up the streets ends in a dispute, followed by Gary paying a sex worker.

Key Events

• Friends Struggle at Work — Kenneth and Gary contend with difficulties at their jobs and in their friendship. Characters: Kenneth, Gary Location: Unspecified
• Group Tries to Make a Difference — Ray becomes involved as the group attempts to make a difference. Characters: Kenneth, Gary, Ray Location: Unspecified
• Street Cleanup Dispute — An effort to clean up the streets ends in a dispute involving Gary. Characters: Gary Location: Street
• Gary Pays a Sex Worker — After the dispute, Gary pays a sex worker. Characters: Gary Location: Unspecified

Kate's Reporting and Reflection

Kate covers the strangler case and discusses a robbery in which two women protected an innocent person. She sees their actions as an example of taking control while her casework competes with her personal life.

Key Events

• Kate Discusses a Robbery — Kate discusses a robbery in which two women protected an innocent person. Characters: Kate Location: Unspecified
• Kate Considers Taking Control — Kate sees the women's intervention as an example of taking control. Characters: Kate Location: Unspecified

Clues Point Toward a Suspect

Kenneth connects the killer's emails signed with D to a reported sighting of an old Mercedes. Remembering that his boss owns a vintage Mercedes, Kenneth concludes that the boss may be the strangler, and the group proposes a sting.

Key Events

• Kenneth Connects the Clues — Kenneth connects emails signed with D to the reported Mercedes sighting. Characters: Kenneth Location: Unspecified
• The Mercedes Raises Suspicion — Kenneth recalls that his boss owns a vintage Mercedes and suspects him. Characters: Kenneth Location: Unspecified
• A Sting Is Proposed — The group agrees the suspect fits and proposes a sting to catch him. Characters: Kenneth, Gary, Ray Location: Unspecified

A Gathering Before the Sting

The group decides to involve Kate for the potential story while saying she should be kept out of danger. Ray arrives at Kate's home with flowers and wine, and the gathering begins before the planned sting can unfold.

Key Events

• Kate Is Invited Into the Plan — They involve Kate for the story while saying she must be kept out of danger. Characters: Kenneth, Gary, Ray, Kate Location: Unspecified
• Ray Arrives at Kate's Home — Ray arrives with flowers and wine; he, Gary, and Kate gather before the sting. Characters: Ray, Gary, Kate Location: Kate's home
• The Sting Remains Unresolved — The available account ends before the planned sting takes place. Characters: Kenneth, Gary, Ray, Kate Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• Origin Story Debate — Kenneth objects to repeated superhero origin stories, while a friend argues that the stories merit examination.
  • Kenneth's Frustration — Kenneth says he is fed up with films retelling origin stories.
  • A Friend's Defense — His friend argues that the stories are worth examining.
• Murder Investigation — A television report introduces a murder and suspicion of the Schuylkill Strangler, which Kate covers.
  • Television Report — The report announces the murder and the suspected killer.
  • Kate's Coverage — Kate follows the case as it develops.
• Friends' Misadventures — Kenneth and Gary face difficulties in their jobs and friendship while Ray joins their plans.
  • Work and Friendship — Kenneth and Gary struggle through work and their relationship as friends.
  • Street Cleanup Dispute — Their effort to make a difference includes a cleanup attempt that ends in conflict.
• Kate's Other Story — Kate discusses a robbery and considers the actions of women who intervened to protect an innocent person.
  • Robbery Discussion — Kate covers an incident in which two women intervened.
  • Taking Control — Kate treats their intervention as an example of taking control.
• Suspect Clue Chain — Kenneth links the signed emails and a Mercedes sighting to his boss's vintage car.
  • Emails Signed D — Kenneth notes that the killer's emails were signed with a D.
  • Vintage Mercedes — Kenneth recalls his boss owns a vintage Mercedes and suspects him.
• Proposed Sting Plan — The group decides to stage a sting and bring Kate in for the potential story, while saying she should be kept safe.
  • Catch the Suspect — The group agrees the suspected killer appears to fit and proposes a sting.
  • Kate's Involvement — They involve Kate because the plan could give her a major story.
• Unfinished Home Gathering — Ray arrives at Kate's home before the plan unfolds, and the account ends without showing the sting.
  • Ray Brings Gifts — Ray arrives with flowers and an expensive bottle of wine.
  • Sting Left Open — The available dialogue ends before the group carries out the planned sting.

Directed by

Charles Smith

Key Cast

• McKeever — Ray
• Ryan Farrell — Kenneth
• Ely Henry — Gary
• Katrina Law — Kate
• Matt Servitto — SS