Ashgrove (2022) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Against a waterborne pandemic, an exhausted scientist confronts the strain that her marriage places on her already overwhelming search for a cure.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A World Without Safe Water

A pandemic has infected the world's water supply. People must ration water while weighing the danger of disease against the danger of dehydration.

Key Events

• Water Supply Infection — A pandemic has infected the world's water supply.
• Water Intake Rationing — People must strictly ration their water intake.
• Disease Or Dehydration — People balance the risk of dying from disease against dying from dehydration.
• Jennifer Researches A Cure — Jennifer works as a scientist researching a cure for the fungus. Characters: Jennifer

Jennifer Under Pressure

Jennifer researches a cure for the fungus as a scientist. The demands of the work rapidly burn her out and deepen her stress.

Key Events

• Jennifer Researches A Cure — Jennifer works as a scientist researching a cure for the fungus. Characters: Jennifer
• Scientific Burnout — The stress of Jennifer's research causes her to rapidly burn out. Characters: Jennifer
• Stress Has Multiple Sources — Problems in Jennifer and Jason's relationship also contribute to her stress. Characters: Jennifer, Jason
• A Forced Weekend Retreat — Jennifer is forced to take a weekend retreat with her husband Jason. Characters: Jennifer, Jason

The Troubled Marriage

The film connects Jennifer's stress to problems in her relationship with Jason. She is forced to take a weekend retreat with her husband.

Key Events

• A Forced Weekend Retreat — Jennifer is forced to take a weekend retreat with her husband Jason. Characters: Jennifer, Jason
• Friends Join The Trip — Elliot and Sammy join Jennifer and Jason on their trip. Characters: Jennifer, Jason, Elliot, Sammy
• Relationship Problems Surface — The retreat focuses attention on the problems in Jennifer and Jason's relationship. Characters: Jennifer, Jason
• Friends Share The Retreat — The couple's weekend retreat takes place with Elliot and Sammy as accompanying friends. Characters: Jennifer, Jason, Elliot, Sammy

A Shared Weekend

Elliot and Sammy, friends of Jennifer and Jason, join the trip. The retreat provides the setting for Jennifer and Jason to work on their relationship.

Key Events

• Friends Share The Retreat — The couple's weekend retreat takes place with Elliot and Sammy as accompanying friends. Characters: Jennifer, Jason, Elliot, Sammy
• Personal And Global Pressure — Jennifer's personal relationship difficulties exist alongside the water-supply pandemic and her research burden. Characters: Jennifer, Jason
• Working On The Marriage — The stated purpose of the retreat is for Jennifer and Jason to work on their relationship. Characters: Jennifer, Jason

Story Breakdown

• Waterborne Pandemic — The global crisis makes ordinary access to water dangerous and forces severe personal choices.
  • Infected Water Supply — The pandemic has infected the world's water supply.
  • Rationing And Risk — People ration water while balancing disease against dehydration.
• Jennifer's Scientific Burden — Jennifer's professional mission places her under sustained pressure.
  • Fungus Research — Jennifer works as a scientist researching a cure for the fungus.
  • Rapid Burnout — The stress causes Jennifer to rapidly burn out.
• Marital Strain — Jennifer's relationship with Jason is identified as another major source of stress.
  • Jennifer And Jason — Jennifer and Jason are married.
  • Relationship Problems — Problems in their relationship contribute to Jennifer's stress.
• Forced Retreat — Jennifer is taken away from her usual pressure through a weekend retreat with Jason.
  • Weekend Trip — Jennifer is forced to take a weekend retreat with Jason.
  • Private Reckoning — The retreat is intended to help the couple work on their relationship.
• Friends Enter The Story — The retreat becomes a group trip when Elliot and Sammy join Jennifer and Jason.
  • Elliot Joins — Elliot joins Jennifer and Jason on their trip.
  • Sammy Joins — Sammy joins Jennifer and Jason on their trip.
• Intersecting Pressures — The film places global catastrophe, scientific exhaustion, and marital difficulty in the same emotional framework.
  • Public Crisis — The waterborne pandemic affects the wider population.
  • Personal Crisis — Jennifer's burnout and relationship problems contribute to her stress.

Directed by

Jeremy LaLonde

Key Cast

• Amanda Brugel — Jennifer
• Jonas Chernick — Jason
• Shawn Doyle — Elliot
• Natalie Brown — Sammy
• Christine Horne — Dr. Lakeland