Pork Pie (2017) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A chaotic cross-country journey driven by stolen cars, viral fame, and unresolved romance.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Stolen Mini & The Road South

Luke escapes pursuers by stealing a Mini Cooper, while writer Jon abandons his stalled life to chase his ex-fiancée. Their paths cross on a rural road, merging their separate journeys into one chaotic road trip.

Key Events

• Car Dump Chase — Luke escapes pursuers by stealing a yellow Mini Cooper S. Characters: Luke Location: Kaikohe car dump
• Wedding Decision — Writer Jon steals a suit to attend his ex-fiancée Suzie's wedding in Wellington. Characters: Jon Location: Auckland
• Car Breakdown — Jon's vehicle breaks down and catches fire, forcing him to travel on foot. Characters: Jon Location: Pokeno
• Roadside Pickup — Luke almost runs over Jon and agrees to give him a lift south. Characters: Jon, Luke Location: Rural road

Wellington Detours & Train Escape

The trio picks up Keira and faces police pursuit, wedding drama, and a broken laptop. They evade capture by driving the Mini into a freight train, shifting the chase to the rails.

Key Events

• Roadside Pickup — Luke almost runs over Jon and agrees to give him a lift south. Characters: Jon, Luke Location: Rural road
• Petrol Station Escape — The pair drive off without paying, triggering a police chase. Characters: Jon, Luke Location: Waikato petrol station
• Burger Restaurant Join — Keira, fed up with customers, joins them on a whim. Characters: Jon, Luke, Keira Location: Drive-through restaurant
• Wedding Confrontation — Jon confronts Suzie, who spills champagne on him in response. Characters: Jon Location: Wellington wedding
• Laptop Destruction — Jon discovers his book draft laptop is completely broken. Characters: Jon Location: Wellington rave
• Coffin Sleep — Jon takes drugs and falls asleep in a coffin attached to the Mini for a protest. Characters: Jon, Keira Location: Protest coffin

Viral Fame & Fractured Bonds

Keira's activist video goes viral, drawing national attention and police crackdowns. The group fractures as Keira is captured, leaving Jon and Luke to navigate barricades and a dangerous encounter.

Key Events

• Coffin Sleep — Jon takes drugs and falls asleep in a coffin attached to the Mini for a protest. Characters: Jon, Keira Location: Protest coffin
• Train Escape — Police chase resumes; Luke drives the Mini into an open freight train car. Characters: Jon, Luke, Keira Location: Freight train
• Phone Clarification — Noah calls Jon to reveal the wedding man is Suzie's gay friend. Characters: Jon, Noah Location: Train
• Train Clothing Swap — Travelers discover and wear old clothing, including the titular hat. Characters: Jon, Luke, Keira Location: Freight train
• Train Romance — Keira and Luke start a relationship and have sex on the train. Characters: Luke, Keira Location: Freight train
• Viral Announcement — Keira records a video claiming they are animal rights activists, making them national news. Characters: Keira Location: Southland dairy

The Final Push to Invercargill

After Luke is shot and the car is damaged, Jon continues alone through a police blockade. He relies on local support to outrun authorities and reach his destination.

Key Events

• Viral Announcement — Keira records a video claiming they are animal rights activists, making them national news. Characters: Keira Location: Southland dairy
• Keira's Capture — Keira leaves the car and is captured by police due to the viral attention. Characters: Keira Location: Southland road
• Bridge Hideout — Luke and Jon hide the car under a bridge and spend the night. Characters: Jon, Luke Location: Under a bridge
• Radio Broadcast — Jon hears Becca on the radio discussing his wedding absence. Characters: Jon, Luke, Becca Location: Bridge hideout
• Bongo Encounter — Bongo offers help but demands to join with a gun, then shoots himself. Characters: Jon, Luke, Bongo Location: Roxburgh road

Resolution & Aftermath

Jon reunites with Suzie, securing her legal help despite his arrest. The mid-credits scene reveals unexpected romantic resolutions and a final escape for the remaining pair.

Key Events

• Bongo Encounter — Bongo offers help but demands to join with a gun, then shoots himself. Characters: Jon, Luke, Bongo Location: Roxburgh road
• Police Shooting — Luke is shot by an aggressive police officer while visiting a dairy. Characters: Luke Location: Dairy
• Tire Shooting — Police shoot Jon's tires, causing the car to catch fire from friction. Characters: Jon Location: Southland road
• Cafe Reunion — Jon catches Suzie leaving the cafe and is arrested, but she agrees to be his lawyer. Characters: Jon Location: Invercargill cafe
• Mid-Credits Twist — Suzie and Jon remarry; Keira steals Luke from a hospital wheelchair. Characters: Jon, Luke, Keira Location: Hospital

Story Breakdown

• Stolen Vehicle Departure — Luke escapes pursuers and Jon abandons his stalled writing career.
  • Kaikohe Chase — Luke steals a Mini Cooper to flee attackers.
  • Suit Theft — Jon borrows an expensive suit for a wedding.
• Roadside Convergence — Separate journeys merge when Luke picks up Jon on foot.
  • Pokeno Breakdown — Jon's car catches fire, forcing a walk.
  • Rural Pickup — Luke offers a lift, combining their vehicles.
• Wellington Detours — The group expands and faces personal crises in the city.
  • Keira Joins — A frustrated employee joins their spontaneous trip.
  • Wedding Confrontation — Jon faces rejection and a broken laptop.
• Railway Evasion — Police pursuit intensifies, forcing a daring train escape.
  • Freight Train Heist — Luke drives the Mini into a moving train car.
  • Train Romance — Luke and Keira bond while hiding from authorities.
• Viral Backlash — Keira's activist video draws national attention and police crackdowns.
  • News Explosion — The group becomes national headlines overnight.
  • Keira Captured — Police arrest Keira due to the viral exposure.
• Final Push South — Jon continues alone through barricades to reach his destination.
  • Bongo Encounter — A conspiracy theorist joins briefly before self-harm.
  • Tire Destruction — Police shoot Jon's tires, causing a fiery chase.
• Invercargill Resolution — Jon reunites with Suzie, securing legal help and closure.
  • Cafe Reunion — Jon catches Suzie leaving, leading to an arrest.
  • Legal Alliance — Suzie agrees to represent Jon despite the chaos.
• Mid-Credits Aftermath — Unexpected romantic resolutions and a final escape unfold.
  • Remarriage — Jon and Suzie decide to marry again.
  • Hospital Escape — Keira steals Luke from a hospital wheelchair.

Directed by

Matt Murphy

Key Cast

• Dean O'Gorman — Jon
• James Rolleston — Luke
• Ashleigh Cummings — Keira
• Antonia Prebble — Susie
• Matt Whelan — Noah