Abstruse (2019) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

The story interweaves dangerous encounters, political influence, a strained family, and an investigation that ends with an escape and unresolved questions.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Collection of Threats

Two young men finish a disturbing encounter, and one adds photographs to a collection. Their later plans to meet women and recruit an actress suggest danger without revealing the full events.

Key Events

• Disturbing Encounter — Two young men finish a disturbing encounter with a woman; one photographs the aftermath for his collection. Location: Unspecified location
• Photographs Added — One young man treats the photographs as additions to a collection. Location: Unspecified location
• Plans to Meet Women — The young men discuss going out to meet women. Location: Unspecified location
• Amanda Discusses Money — Amanda London and a coworker discuss money and the coworker's troubled relationship. Characters: Amanda London Location: Unspecified workplace
• Women Recruited — The young men bring women to join them, and one describes plans for a film company. Location: Unspecified location
• Actress Recruitment — A young man says he wants to recruit a woman as an actress for his film company. Location: Unspecified location

Political Protection

A young man seeks equipment money from Senator Stevens, who offers less than requested and demands script oversight. The Senator then confronts his son, orders silence, and arranges watchful attention around a missing woman.

Key Events

• Actress Recruitment — A young man says he wants to recruit a woman as an actress for his film company. Location: Unspecified location
• Equipment Funding Request — A young man asks Senator Stevens for money to buy equipment. Characters: Senator Stevens Location: Unspecified location
• Script Review Demand — Senator Stevens offers less money than requested and insists on reviewing every script to protect his political standing. Characters: Senator Stevens Location: Unspecified location
• Senator Rebukes His Son — Senator Stevens angrily confronts his son over a serious incident and warns he will no longer cover for him. Characters: Senator Stevens Location: Unspecified location
• Order to Keep Quiet — Senator Stevens orders his son to keep quiet, and the son promises to do so. Characters: Senator Stevens Location: Unspecified location
• Watch and Missing Woman — Senator Stevens directs an associate to keep watch and asks about a missing woman. Characters: Senator Stevens Location: Unspecified location

An Unsteady Investigation

Officers question a woman, report positive hallucinogen test results, and search homes. The Senator's influence appears to shape efforts to detain Max London after Max threatens his son.

Key Events

• Watch and Missing Woman — Senator Stevens directs an associate to keep watch and asks about a missing woman. Characters: Senator Stevens Location: Unspecified location
• Investigation Begins — A woman insists a frightening event happened as officers question her and search homes for evidence. Location: Unspecified homes
• Test Results Reported — Officers report positive hallucinogen test results during the investigation. Location: Unspecified location
• Pressure to Detain Max — An officer is pressured to find a way to detain Max London, who has threatened the Senator's son. Characters: Max London, Senator Stevens Location: Unspecified location
• Amanda Seeks Help — Amanda calls a detective after spotting a man waiting outside a friend's home. Characters: Amanda London Location: Unspecified location

Threats Close In

Amanda London seeks help after seeing a man outside a friend's home and is told to stay put. Claudia Stevens and the Senator clash over their son's behavior as a prisoner is held and a secured location is breached.

Key Events

• Amanda Seeks Help — Amanda calls a detective after spotting a man waiting outside a friend's home. Characters: Amanda London Location: Unspecified location
• Stay Put Warning — Frightened, Amanda is told by the detective to stay where she is. Characters: Amanda London Location: Phone call
• Stevenses Argue — Claudia and Senator Stevens blame each other for their son's problems and the family's conflict. Characters: Senator Stevens, Claudia Stevens Location: Unspecified location
• Secured Location Breached — People break into a secured location, where a woman screams and the intruders discuss whether they still need her. Location: Secured location

The Unresolved Escape

A young man taunts Senator Stevens by phone, prompting the Senator to order his men to kill him. Officers soon discover a prisoner has escaped and begin questioning Officer Jones, leaving the larger conspiracy unresolved.

Key Events

• Taunting Phone Call — A young man taunts Senator Stevens and says his associate cannot come to the phone. Characters: Senator Stevens Location: Phone call
• Escape and Questioning — Officers discover a prisoner has escaped, argue about who was last inside, and begin questioning Officer Jones. Location: Unspecified location

Story Breakdown

• Disturbing Encounters — The opening introduces threatening encounters and the young men's plans involving women.
  • Photographic Collection — One young man photographs a disturbing encounter and treats the images as part of a collection.
  • Film Company Plans — A young man describes starting a film company and seeking a woman to recruit as an actress.
• Amanda Seeks Safety — Amanda's conversations and later call for help place her among the people facing growing uncertainty.
  • Money Conversation — Amanda and a coworker discuss money and the coworker's troubled relationship.
  • Warning by Phone — After seeing a man outside a friend's home, Amanda calls for help and is told to stay put.
• Political Leverage — Senator Stevens uses money and influence while attempting to protect his political standing and manage a serious incident.
  • Equipment Funding — A young man asks the Senator for equipment money, but receives less than requested.
  • Script Oversight — The Senator insists on reviewing every script to avoid damage to his political standing.
• Family Dispute — The Stevenses clash over their son and how each parent has responded to his problems.
  • Order for Silence — The Senator confronts his son, warns he will stop covering for him, and orders him to keep quiet.
  • Blame Between Parents — Claudia accuses the Senator of absence and reliance on money; he blames her for enabling their son.
• Investigation Under Pressure — Officers investigate a frightening report as the Senator's connections appear to affect their actions.
  • Evidence Searches — Officers question a woman, report positive hallucinogen test results, and search homes.
  • Max Targeted — An officer is pressured to find a way to detain Max London after he threatens the Senator's son.
• Conspiracy Escalates — A secured location is breached, and the people involved exchange threats while a prisoner remains in danger.
  • Secured Location Breached — Intruders enter a secured location as a woman screams and they debate whether they still need her.
  • Senator's Kill Order — A young man taunts the Senator by phone, and the Senator orders his men to kill him.
• Unresolved Escape — The investigation ends in confusion after officers discover that a prisoner has escaped.
  • Missing Prisoner — Officers discover that a prisoner has escaped from custody.
  • Officer Questioned — After arguing about who was last inside, officers begin questioning Officer Jones.

Directed by

Harley Wallen

Key Cast

• Tom Sizemore — Max London
• Dennis Haskins — Senator Stevens
• Calhoun Koenig — Barista
• Colleen Gentry — Claudia Stevens
• Joel Paul Reisig — Police technician