The Carpenter (1988) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A housewife's descent into obsession with a vengeful house spirit leads to murder and fiery destruction.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Haunted Foundation

Alice moves into an unfinished house and encounters a mysterious carpenter who saves her from assault, revealing his supernatural nature.

Key Events

• Move to Unfinished House — Alice and Martin relocate to a half-built home and hire a construction crew. Characters: Alice Jarett, Carpenter Location: Unfinished House
• Carpenter's First Appearance — Alice hears hammering and notices a mysterious, diligent carpenter. Characters: Alice Jarett, Carpenter Location: Basement
• Basement Assault Prevention — Ed stops a coworker from raping Alice, brutally cutting his arms off. Characters: Alice Jarett, Carpenter Location: Basement
• Cleanup and Cover-up — Ed cleans the blood and returns Alice to bed, maintaining his pleasant facade. Characters: Carpenter Location: Basement
• Spirit Revelation — Alice deduces Ed is the vengeful spirit of builder Edward, executed for past murders. Characters: Alice Jarett, Carpenter Location: Unfinished House

Obsession and Bloodshed

Alice becomes entangled with the vengeful spirit, witnessing his murders before they collaboratively kill Martin's pregnant lover.

Key Events

• Spirit Revelation — Alice deduces Ed is the vengeful spirit of builder Edward, executed for past murders. Characters: Alice Jarett, Carpenter Location: Unfinished House
• Alice's Obsession — Despite his violence, Alice becomes emotionally attached to Ed's charms. Characters: Alice Jarett, Carpenter Location: Unfinished House
• Workers Murdered — Ed murders two former workers who break in to loot the property. Characters: Carpenter, Alice Jarett Location: Unfinished House
• Laura's Arrival — Martin's student Laura arrives to confess her affair and pregnancy. Characters: Alice Jarett, Laura Bell Location: Unfinished House
• Confrontation and Murder — Alice and Ed kill Laura with a nail gun after a heated argument. Characters: Alice Jarett, Laura Bell, Carpenter Location: Unfinished House

Domestic Collapse

Martin's brutal death and Rachel's arrival trigger a violent confrontation, forcing Alice to turn against her supernatural protector.

Key Events

• Confrontation and Murder — Alice and Ed kill Laura with a nail gun after a heated argument. Characters: Alice Jarett, Laura Bell, Carpenter Location: Unfinished House
• Martin's Discovery — Martin returns home and finds Laura's mutilated body. Characters: Alice Jarett, Carpenter Location: Unfinished House
• Martin's Attack — Martin attacks Alice, but Ed intervenes and crushes his head in a vise. Characters: Alice Jarett, Carpenter Location: Unfinished House
• Rachel's Visit — Alice's sister Rachel arrives and discovers the corpses of Martin and Laura. Characters: Alice Jarett, Rachel, Carpenter Location: Unfinished House
• Ed's Violence Escalates — Ed physically blocks Rachel's escape and becomes aggressive toward her. Characters: Carpenter, Rachel Location: Unfinished House
• Alice's Betrayal — Angered by Ed harming Rachel, Alice turns against him and initiates a fight. Characters: Alice Jarett, Carpenter Location: Unfinished House

Arson and Escape

Alice discovers the spirit's weakness, ignites the house, and flees with her sister as the carpenter is consumed by flames.

Key Events

• Alice's Betrayal — Angered by Ed harming Rachel, Alice turns against him and initiates a fight. Characters: Alice Jarett, Carpenter Location: Unfinished House
• Weakness Discovery — Alice realizes that damaging the house physically injures Ed. Characters: Alice Jarett, Carpenter Location: Unfinished House
• Arson Preparation — Alice uses a blow torch to ignite the structure and trap Ed. Characters: Alice Jarett Location: Unfinished House
• House Ignites — Flames rapidly spread through the wooden structure, weakening Ed. Characters: Alice Jarett, Carpenter, Rachel Location: Unfinished House
• Ed's Pursuit — Ed chases the fleeing women through the burning building. Characters: Carpenter, Alice Jarett, Rachel Location: Unfinished House Exterior
• Final Escape — Alice and Rachel successfully escape the collapsing property. Characters: Alice Jarett, Rachel Location: Unfinished House Exterior
• Carpenter's Demise — Ed burns away completely as the house is consumed by flames. Characters: Carpenter Location: Unfinished House
• Aftermath — The sisters survive the destruction of the haunted property. Characters: Alice Jarett, Rachel Location: Unfinished House Exterior
• Spirit Vanquished — The vengeful builder's spirit is permanently destroyed by the fire. Characters: Carpenter Location: Unfinished House

Story Breakdown

• Supernatural Introduction — Alice encounters the mysterious carpenter and discovers his ghostly origins.
  • Basement Rescue — Ed prevents an assault on Alice.
  • Spirit Revelation — Alice learns Ed is the builder's vengeful ghost.
• Dark Romance — Alice becomes emotionally attached to the murderous spirit.
  • Obsession Development — Alice ignores Ed's violent past.
  • Collaborative Violence — Ed and Alice kill intruders together.
• Domestic Betrayal — Martin's affair is exposed, triggering lethal consequences.
  • Laura's Confession — Laura reveals her pregnancy and affair.
  • Nail Gun Murder — Alice and Ed kill Laura in a fit of rage.
• Marital Collapse — Martin discovers the crime and meets a brutal end.
  • Body Discovery — Martin finds Laura's mutilated corpse.
  • Vise Execution — Ed crushes Martin's head to protect Alice.
• Sisterly Intervention — Rachel arrives and confronts the escalating violence.
  • Corpse Discovery — Rachel finds Martin and Laura's bodies.
  • Ed's Aggression — Ed violently blocks Rachel's escape.
• Fiery Reckoning — Alice turns against Ed and destroys the haunted house.
  • Weakness Discovery — Alice realizes damaging the house hurts Ed.
  • Arson and Escape — Alice burns the house and flees with Rachel.
• Spirit Vanquished — The carpenter's ghost is permanently destroyed by fire.
  • Final Chase — Ed pursues the fleeing sisters through flames.
  • Ashes and Survival — The house collapses and the sisters survive.

Directed by

David Wellington

Key Cast

• Wings Hauser — Carpenter
• Lynne Adams — Alice Jarett
• Pierre Lenoir — Martin Jarett
• Barbara Jones — Rachel
• Louise-Marie Mennier — Laura Bell