Wake. (2018) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A grieving mother and daughter struggle with fear, loss, and the difficult possibility of moving forward.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Birthday and a Distant Journey

Molly spends her birthday absorbed in grief while Sam tries to lift her spirits. Sam proposes a Moscow trip, and Molly eventually agrees after hearing a story from her daughter.

Key Events

• Molly's Birthday — Molly speaks to Peter while Sam tries to make her birthday cheerful. Characters: Molly Harrison, Sam Lewis, Peter Lewis Location: Molly's home
• Grief at Home — Molly's conversations with Peter show how closely she holds to her late husband. Characters: Molly Harrison, Peter Lewis Location: Molly's home
• A Trip to Moscow — Sam hopes to take Molly to Moscow and marks the days on a calendar. Characters: Molly Harrison, Sam Lewis Location: Molly's home
• Molly Resists the Trip — Molly initially resists Sam's plan to travel together. Characters: Molly Harrison, Sam Lewis Location: Molly's home
• The Circus Story — Sam tells Molly about a former circus performer whose dream became a nightmare. Characters: Molly Harrison, Sam Lewis Location: Molly's home
• Agreement to Travel — After hearing Sam's story, Molly agrees that they will go together. Characters: Molly Harrison, Sam Lewis Location: Molly's home
• Unusual Preparations — Molly keeps an inflatable doll and gives it a new name during preparations. Characters: Molly Harrison Location: Molly's home

The Journey Interrupted

Molly and Sam prepare to travel, but a medical episode interrupts their plans. The possibility of a mini-stroke heightens Molly's fears, while Sam urges her not to pretend nothing happened.

Key Events

• Unusual Preparations — Molly keeps an inflatable doll and gives it a new name during preparations. Characters: Molly Harrison Location: Molly's home
• Medical Episode — Molly suffers a medical episode that interrupts their preparations. Characters: Molly Harrison, Sam Lewis Location: Unspecified
• Possible Mini-Stroke — Doctors say the episode may have been a mini-stroke affecting balance and memory. Characters: Molly Harrison, Sam Lewis Location: Medical setting
• Argument Over Recovery — Molly wants to cancel, while Sam insists they must face what happened. Characters: Molly Harrison, Sam Lewis Location: Molly's home

Small Steps Beyond Home

Molly tries to rebuild confidence by going outside, with Sam encouraging her. Molly's grief remains close even as Sam helps her prepare for a date.

Key Events

• First Steps Outside — Molly makes small efforts to rebuild her confidence and go outside. Characters: Molly Harrison, Sam Lewis Location: Outside Molly's home
• Preparing for a Date — Sam helps Molly prepare for a date while Molly's grief remains present. Characters: Molly Harrison, Sam Lewis Location: Molly's home
• Sam Leaves Alone — Sam finally leaves the house on her own. Characters: Sam Lewis Location: Outside the home

Loss and Self-Blame

After Sam leaves home on her own, her grandmother dies. Sam interprets the timing as a reason to blame herself and fears Molly will retreat from the outside world again.

Key Events

• Sam Leaves Alone — Sam finally leaves the house on her own. Characters: Sam Lewis Location: Outside the home
• Grandmother's Death — Sam's grandmother dies after Sam's first independent outing. Characters: Sam Lewis Location: Unspecified

An Unsettled Farewell

At the funeral home, Molly struggles to accept her mother's death, and Joe arrives after Sam calls him. Sam later challenges Joe and confronts her own guilt as she and Molly face an uncertain future.

Key Events

• Grief at the Funeral Home — Molly struggles to accept her mother's death and insists on bringing her home; Joe arrives after Sam calls. Characters: Molly Harrison, Sam Lewis, Joe Frederickson Location: Funeral home
• Sam Blames Herself — Sam tells Joe she fears her outing caused the loss and accuses him of staying uninvolved. Characters: Sam Lewis, Joe Frederickson Location: Unspecified
• Uncertain Moving Forward — Molly and Sam face their grief and the uncertain work of moving forward. Characters: Molly Harrison, Sam Lewis Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• Birthday Grief — Molly's birthday reveals how strongly she remains attached to her late husband.
  • Peter's Presence — Molly talks to Peter as if he were still present.
  • Sam's Gifts — Sam tries to make the birthday cheerful with presents and plans.
• Moscow Plans — Sam hopes a planned trip can help Molly leave the house.
  • Calendar Countdown — Sam marks the days until the proposed trip.
  • Initial Resistance — Molly first resists the idea of going.
• A Changed Decision — Sam's story helps Molly agree to travel with her.
  • Circus Story — Sam recounts a former circus performer's dream turning into a nightmare.
  • Shared Agreement — Molly agrees that they will go together.
• Medical Setback — A medical episode interrupts the preparations and forces mother and daughter to respond.
  • Interrupted Preparations — Molly suffers an episode before the planned trip.
  • Possible Mini-Stroke — Doctors say it may affect Molly's balance and memory.
• Rebuilding Confidence — Molly makes cautious efforts to go outside while Sam encourages her.
  • Facing the Episode — Sam urges Molly not to dismiss what has happened.
  • Small Steps — Molly tries to rebuild confidence beyond the house.
• A Family Loss — Sam's first independent outing is followed by her grandmother's death.
  • Sam Goes Out — Sam finally leaves home on her own.
  • Guilt After Loss — Sam blames herself and fears Molly will stop going out.
• Funeral Home Grief — Molly struggles to accept her mother's death, while Sam seeks help from Joe.
  • Molly's Refusal — Molly insists on bringing her mother home and changes the chosen shoes.
  • Joe Arrives — Joe comes to the funeral home after Sam calls him.
• Unresolved Support — Sam challenges Joe and the family faces grief without a clear resolution.
  • Sam Confronts Joe — Sam accuses Joe of observing their lives without getting involved.
  • Moving Forward — Molly and Sam face the uncertain work of continuing after loss.

Directed by

Cyrus Mirakhor

Key Cast

• Myndy Crist — Molly Harrison
• James Denton — Joe Frederickson
• John N. Dvorak — Support Group Member
• Danielle Kennedy — Susan
• Jo Koy — Peter Lewis