Ashes (2018) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A family confronts a suspected haunting, grief, and the cruelty it showed to an eccentric relative.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Family Takes in Grief

After Ellyn's father dies, Ellyn, Duane, and Melanie move in with Ellyn's mother. Aunt Marion's death soon leaves the family divided over what to do with her ashes.

Key Events

• Ellyn's Father Dies — After Ellyn's father dies, her family changes its living arrangements. Characters: Ellyn Location: Not specified
• Move to Help Mother — Ellyn, Duane, and Melanie move in with Ellyn's mother to help her. Characters: Ellyn, Duane, Melanie Location: Ellyn's mother's home
• Marion's Death — Aunt Marion dies, leaving her ashes to the family. Characters: Aunt Marion Location: Ohio
• Ashes Dispute — Ellyn objects to keeping Marion's ashes in the family home. Characters: Ellyn Location: Family home
• Temporary Attic Placement — The family agrees to keep the urn in the attic temporarily. Characters: Ellyn Location: Family home attic

Unease Around the Urn

The family stores Marion's urn in the attic despite Ellyn's misgivings. Strange events and Ellyn's mother's frightening medical episode deepen their suspicion, though they cannot tell haunting from coincidence.

Key Events

• Temporary Attic Placement — The family agrees to keep the urn in the attic temporarily. Characters: Ellyn Location: Family home attic
• Unsettling Events Begin — Unsettling events begin after the urn is placed in the attic. Characters: Ellyn, Duane Location: Family home
• Mother's Medical Episode — Ellyn's mother suffers a frightening medical episode. Characters: Ellyn Location: Family home
• Family Suspects the Ashes — The family wonders whether the ashes are connected to the strange events. Characters: Ellyn, Duane Location: Family home
• Ellyn Takes the Ashes — Ellyn decides to take the ashes away and bury them. Characters: Ellyn Location: Family home

A Failed Attempt to Move On

Ellyn decides to take the ashes away and bury them, but an alarming incident occurs during the trip. The trouble continues, and Gail arrives from Ohio with memories of Marion.

Key Events

• Ellyn Takes the Ashes — Ellyn decides to take the ashes away and bury them. Characters: Ellyn Location: Family home
• Trouble on the Trip — The group encounters another alarming incident while moving the ashes. Characters: Ellyn Location: On the trip
• Trouble Continues — The family's attempts to move on do not end the trouble. Characters: Ellyn, Duane Location: Not specified
• Gail Arrives from Ohio — Gail arrives and tells the family she was Marion's special friend. Characters: Gail Location: Family home
• Gail Shares Marion's Past — Gail recalls their trips and Marion's fascination with the afterlife. Characters: Gail, Aunt Marion Location: Family home

The Family Faces Its Past

The family seeks help from Chip and another investigator experienced with spirits. Marion's presence turns threatening, while Ellyn's admission about the family's ridicule points to old resentment.

Key Events

• Gail Shares Marion's Past — Gail recalls their trips and Marion's fascination with the afterlife. Characters: Gail, Aunt Marion Location: Family home
• Investigators Are Sought — The family seeks help from Chip and another investigator experienced with spirits. Characters: Ellyn, Chip Location: Not specified
• Marion Turns Threatening — Marion's presence turns threatening during a confrontation. Characters: Aunt Marion, Chip Location: Not specified
• Old Resentment Emerges — Ellyn admits that relatives often laughed at Marion's unusual behavior. Characters: Ellyn, Aunt Marion Location: Not specified
• Ellyn's Mother Dies — Ellyn's mother dies amid the family's grief and fear. Characters: Ellyn Location: Not specified

Last Wishes and Release

After Ellyn's mother dies, an envelope reveals her wish to be buried with her father. The investigators confront Marion's spirit and try to send it away, leaving the family to face grief and its treatment of her.

Key Events

• Ellyn's Mother Dies — Ellyn's mother dies amid the family's grief and fear. Characters: Ellyn Location: Not specified
• Last Wishes Discovered — An envelope reveals that her mother wanted burial with her father. Characters: Ellyn Location: Family home
• Investigators Confront Marion — The investigators try to send Marion's spirit to the other world and acknowledge the family's wrongs. Characters: Aunt Marion, Chip, Ellyn Location: Not specified
• Spirit Is Gone — Marion's spirit is gone, leaving the family to reckon with grief and past cruelty. Characters: Ellyn, Duane, Melanie Location: Not specified

Story Breakdown

• A Changed Household — Following a death in the family, Ellyn's household moves in with her mother.
  • Father's Death — Ellyn's father dies, changing the family's circumstances.
  • Move to Mother — Ellyn, Duane, and Melanie move in to help Ellyn's mother.
• Marion's Ashes — Marion's death leaves the family in disagreement about her ashes.
  • Disputed Resting Place — Ellyn objects to keeping the ashes in the family home.
  • Attic Arrangement — The family agrees to store the urn in the attic temporarily.
• Growing Unease — Disturbing events make the family wonder whether Marion's ashes are connected.
  • Strange Occurrences — Unsettling events begin after the urn is stored.
  • Medical Emergency — Ellyn's mother suffers a frightening medical episode.
• A Failed Burial Trip — Ellyn tries to remove the ashes, but the family's troubles persist.
  • Ellyn's Decision — Ellyn decides to take the ashes away and bury them.
  • Another Incident — The group encounters an alarming event on the trip.
• Gail's Memories — Gail brings personal knowledge of Marion and her interest in the afterlife.
  • Special Friend — Gail says she was Marion's special friend and cared for her.
  • Afterlife Fascination — Gail recalls Marion's interest in the afterlife.
• Seeking Spirit Help — The family turns to investigators as Marion's presence becomes threatening.
  • Chip Is Contacted — The family seeks help from Chip and another experienced investigator.
  • Threatening Presence — A confrontation reveals Marion's presence as dangerous.
• Resentment and Loss — The family learns that its past treatment of Marion and its recent bereavements shape the crisis.
  • Family Ridicule — Ellyn admits relatives often laughed at Marion's unusual behavior.
  • Mother's Last Wish — An envelope reveals her wish to be buried with her father.
• Confrontation and Aftermath — The investigators attempt to send Marion's spirit away, and the family is left with grief and remorse.
  • Spirit Confrontation — The investigators try to send Marion back to the other world.
  • Family Reckoning — With the spirit gone, the family confronts its grief and past cruelty.

Directed by

Barry Jay

Key Cast

• Melinda DeKay — Aunt Marion
• Damien Diaz — Ty
• Jeremy Isaiah Earl — Duane
• Elizabeth Keener — Ellyn
• Casey James Knight — Chip