BlackJacks (2014) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A newly recruited operator joins a team whose recovery mission becomes a desperate struggle to escape a facility threatened by an unexplained Creature.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Recruit Joins the BlackJacks

Gates impresses the operators during a shoot-house exercise and receives a contract offer. He meets the team and learns that Lisa's psychic abilities help them locate people and detect threats.

Key Events

• Gates Completes the Shoot-House Exercise — Gates completes a brutal shoot-house exercise and impresses the operators. Characters: Jonathan Gates Location: BlackJacks facility
• Gates Receives a Contract Offer — Leadership reviews Gates's military experience and finances before offering him a lucrative contract. Characters: Jonathan Gates Location: BlackJacks facility
• Gates Is Warned to Follow Orders — The organization warns Gates that he must follow orders. Characters: Jonathan Gates Location: BlackJacks facility
• Gates Meets the Team — Gates is welcomed aboard and introduced to the BlackJacks team. Characters: Jonathan Gates, Lewis Locke 'Locke', Edward Cox 'Ed', Jeffery Preston, Vincent Hightower 'V', Lisa Westbrook Location: BlackJacks facility
• Lisa's Psychic Abilities Are Established — The team relies on Lisa's abilities to locate people and detect threats. Characters: Lisa Westbrook Location: BlackJacks facility

A Silent Facility in Kazakhstan

The team is sent to find Dr. Whitmore after seismic activity disrupts communications with the remote facility. Lisa detects hostiles, and the operators discover that most of the security detail has been killed.

Key Events

• The Team Is Sent to Kazakhstan — The BlackJacks team deploys to a remote facility after communications there are cut off. Characters: Lewis Locke 'Locke', Edward Cox 'Ed', Jeffery Preston, Vincent Hightower 'V', Lisa Westbrook Location: Kazakhstan
• Whitmore's Disappearance Is Explained — The commander says Dr. Whitmore is missing after seismic activity disrupted contact with the site. Characters: Dr. Whitmore, Lewis Locke 'Locke' Location: Mission briefing
• Lisa Is Assigned to Locate Whitmore — Lisa is tasked with locating Whitmore while the others provide protection. Characters: Lisa Westbrook, Dr. Whitmore Location: Remote facility
• Lisa Detects Hostiles — Lisa senses a hostile mercenary group near the facility. Characters: Lisa Westbrook, Lewis Locke 'Locke' Location: Near the remote facility
• The Security Detail Is Found Dead — The team observes that the attackers have killed most of the security detail. Characters: Lisa Westbrook, Lewis Locke 'Locke', Vincent Hightower 'V' Location: Near the remote facility
• Locke Authorizes an Engagement — Despite the risk of exposing their position, Locke receives authorization to engage. Characters: Lewis Locke 'Locke', Lisa Westbrook Location: Near the remote facility
• BlackJacks Assault the Hostile Force — Lisa guides the coordinated assault as V provides covering fire. Characters: Lewis Locke 'Locke', Lisa Westbrook, Vincent Hightower 'V', Edward Cox 'Ed', Jeffery Preston Location: Remote facility perimeter

The Compound's Hidden Danger

The BlackJacks assault the hostile force and enter the compound, where they find Whitmore frightened and unwilling to explain the staff's fate. An attack injures Preston, separates Ed from the group, and leads Whitmore to blame a Creature underground.

Key Events

• The Team Enters the Compound — After eliminating the hostile force, the BlackJacks enter the compound. Characters: Lewis Locke 'Locke', Lisa Westbrook, Vincent Hightower 'V', Edward Cox 'Ed', Jeffery Preston Location: Facility compound
• Whitmore Is Found Inside — The team finds Dr. Whitmore frightened and desperate. Characters: Dr. Whitmore, Lewis Locke 'Locke', Lisa Westbrook Location: Inside the facility
• Whitmore Demands Locked Doors — Whitmore insists that the doors be closed and locked but refuses to explain what happened to his staff. Characters: Dr. Whitmore, Lewis Locke 'Locke', Lisa Westbrook Location: Inside the facility
• An Attack Throws the Team Into Chaos — Something attacks the group; Ed is taken or separated and Preston is seriously injured. Characters: Lewis Locke 'Locke', Lisa Westbrook, Edward Cox 'Ed', Jeffery Preston, Vincent Hightower 'V' Location: Inside the facility
• The Staff's Deaths Are Discovered — The team discovers that the facility staff apparently have all been killed. Characters: Dr. Whitmore, Lewis Locke 'Locke', Lisa Westbrook Location: Inside the facility
• Whitmore Blames a Creature — Whitmore claims a Creature is loose underground and responsible for the deaths. Characters: Dr. Whitmore, Creature, Lewis Locke 'Locke', Lisa Westbrook Location: Inside the facility

A Desperate Search for Escape

With the power cut, the survivors must reach a backup generator and reopen the exit. Locke splits up the group, Lisa identifies an approaching figure as Whitmore's daughter, and contact with V is lost as the Creature remains a threat.

Key Events

• The Power Fails — With the power cut, the team must reach a backup generator and reopen the exit. Characters: Lewis Locke 'Locke', Lisa Westbrook, Vincent Hightower 'V' Location: Inside the facility
• Locke Splits Up the Survivors — Locke orders the group to split up, increasing tension among the survivors. Characters: Lewis Locke 'Locke', Lisa Westbrook, Vincent Hightower 'V', Jeffery Preston Location: Inside the facility
• Lisa Identifies Whitmore's Daughter — A fast-moving figure approaches, and Lisa identifies her as Whitmore's daughter rather than an enemy. Characters: Lisa Westbrook, Dr. Whitmore Location: Inside the facility
• Lisa Loses Contact with V — As the survivors try to protect the girl and escape, Lisa loses contact with V. Characters: Lisa Westbrook, Vincent Hightower 'V' Location: Inside the facility
• The Creature's Resistance Raises the Stakes — The survivors realize conventional gunfire may not be enough to stop the Creature. Characters: Lisa Westbrook, Lewis Locke 'Locke', Creature Location: Inside the facility
• The Mission's Outcome Remains Uncertain — The account ends with the team's mission and survival unresolved. Characters: Lisa Westbrook, Lewis Locke 'Locke', Vincent Hightower 'V', Creature Location: Inside the facility

Story Breakdown

• Gates Joins the Team — Gates proves himself and accepts a place in the BlackJacks organization.
  • Shoot-House Trial — Gates completes a brutal exercise and impresses the operators.
  • Contract and Warning — Leadership offers Gates a lucrative contract and tells him to follow orders.
• Psychic Team Support — The team is introduced, including Lisa, whose abilities help locate people and detect threats.
  • Team Introduction — Gates meets Locke, Ed, Preston, V, and Lisa.
  • Lisa's Ability — The team relies on Lisa's psychic abilities during operations.
• Kazakhstan Recovery Mission — The BlackJacks deploy to a remote facility to find the missing Dr. Whitmore.
  • Lost Communications — Contact with the facility has been cut off during seismic activity.
  • Locate Whitmore — Lisa is assigned to find the doctor while the others provide protection.
• Hostiles at the Facility — The team discovers a hostile force and attacks despite the risk of revealing its position.
  • Threat Detection — Lisa detects mercenaries near the remote facility.
  • Coordinated Assault — Lisa guides the team as V provides covering fire.
• Whitmore's Warning — The team finds the frightened doctor, who withholds information before warning of danger inside the facility.
  • Locked Doors — Whitmore insists that the doors be closed and locked but will not explain what happened to the staff.
  • Creature Below — Whitmore claims that a Creature loose underground caused the deaths.
• The Team Is Broken Apart — An attack, injuries, and a power failure make the operation increasingly difficult to control.
  • Ed Separated — During the chaos, Ed is taken or separated from the group.
  • Preston Injured — Preston is seriously injured during the attack.
• A Dangerous Escape Attempt — The survivors seek a way out while the Creature remains a threat and the team's cohesion deteriorates.
  • Generator and Exit — With the power cut, the group must reach a backup generator and reopen the exit.
  • Locke Splits the Group — Locke orders the survivors to split up, creating tension.
• Unresolved Creature Threat — Lisa identifies an approaching figure as Whitmore's daughter, but the survivors' escape and safety remain uncertain.
  • Contact with V Lost — Lisa loses contact with V while the survivors try to protect the girl and escape.
  • Gunfire May Fail — The team realizes conventional gunfire may not be enough against the Creature.

Directed by

Nicolas Mezzanatto

Key Cast

• Eric Roberts — Mr Cromwell
• Kristina Anapau — Lisa Westbrook
• James C. Burns — Lewis Locke 'Locke'
• Tina Casciani — Sarah
• Courtney Compton — Journalist