May (2003) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A socially isolated woman turns her desperate search for friendship into the creation of a living patchwork companion.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Friend Behind Glass

May's childhood bullying and corrected lazy eye leave her socially isolated. Her mother gives her Suzie and tells her to make a friend if she cannot find one.

Key Events

• Childhood Ostracism — May is bullied and ostracized because of her lazy eye. Characters: May Location: May's childhood
• Suzie Becomes A Friend — May receives Suzie and is told to make a friend if she cannot find one. Characters: May Location: May's childhood home
• Lonely Adult Routine — As a veterinary assistant, May remains socially isolated and regards Suzie as her only true friend. Characters: May Location: Veterinary clinic
• Meeting Adam — May becomes fascinated by Adam's hands, introduces herself, and begins dating him. Characters: May, Adam Location: Local mechanic's workplace

Desire And Rejection

May pursues Adam because of her fascination with his hands and begins dating him. His reaction to her bloody kiss abruptly ends their connection and renews her humiliation.

Key Events

• The Cannibal Lovers Film — Adam shows May his cannibalism-themed student film, which arouses her. Characters: May, Adam Location: May's apartment
• The Bloody Kiss — May bites Adam's lip during kissing, drawing blood and causing him to leave abruptly. Characters: May, Adam Location: May's apartment
• Polly Gives Loopy — Polly flirts with May and gives her a cat named Loopy. Characters: May, Polly Location: Veterinary clinic

Companionship Unravels

May enters a relationship with Polly while volunteering at a day care center and connecting with Petey. Discovering Polly with Ambrosia and losing Loopy drives May toward emotional collapse.

Key Events

• Polly's New Relationship — May discovers Polly with Ambrosia after seeking comfort from Polly. Characters: May, Polly, Ambrosia Location: Polly's home
• The Ashtray Gift — Petey gives May a clay ashtray bearing May's name. Characters: May, Petey Location: Day care center
• The Cat's Death — May throws Petey's ashtray at Loopy, killing the cat and shattering the gift. Characters: May Location: May's apartment
• Suzie Starts Talking — May develops delusions that Suzie is talking to her. Characters: May Location: May's apartment

The Need For Parts

May's delusions about Suzie grow after the doll's case is destroyed. A rejection by a young punk becomes her first deliberate murder and leads her to decide that she needs more parts.

Key Events

• Broken Glass Case — Children try to remove Suzie from her case, shattering it and destroying the doll. Characters: May, Petey Location: Day care center
• The Frankenstein Tattoo — May invites a young punk home and compliments his Frankenstein's monster tattoo. Characters: May Location: May's home
• Scissors Strike — After being called a freak, May fatally stabs the young punk with scissors. Characters: May Location: May's apartment
• More Parts Needed — May contemplates the murder and decides that she needs more parts. Characters: May Location: May's apartment

Amy Comes To Life

May murders Polly, Ambrosia, Adam, and Adam's new girlfriend to obtain materials for a patchwork doll. She sacrifices her own eye, and Amy appears to awaken and affectionately touch her.

Key Events

• Halloween Attack On Polly — Dressed like Suzie, May kills Polly and Ambrosia with surgical weapons. Characters: May, Polly, Ambrosia Location: Polly's house
• Adam's Final Encounter — May visits Adam and his new girlfriend and murders them with the scalpels. Characters: May, Adam Location: Adam's house
• Patchwork Body Assembly — May assembles a life-sized patchwork doll from stolen body parts and names it Amy. Characters: May Location: May's apartment
• The Eye Is Added — May gouges out her lazy eye and places it into Amy because the doll lacks eyes. Characters: May, Amy Location: May's apartment
• Amy Sees May — Amy comes to life, caresses May's face, and appears to answer May's need to be seen. Characters: May, Amy Location: May's bedroom

Story Breakdown

• Childhood Isolation — May's early rejection establishes her lifelong fear of loneliness and dependence on Suzie.
  • Lazy Eye Bullying — May is ostracized because of her lazy eye.
  • Suzie Behind Glass — May treats the encased doll as her only true friend.
• Adam's Brief Romance — May's attraction to Adam offers intimacy before his rejection reinforces her alienation.
  • Fascination With Hands — May becomes infatuated with Adam's hands.
  • The Bloody Kiss — May bites Adam and causes him to leave.
• Polly's False Comfort — Polly's advances and gift of Loopy briefly give May another form of companionship.
  • A New Relationship — May and Polly begin dating after Adam rejects May.
  • Ambrosia's Discovery — May finds Polly with Ambrosia and feels abandoned again.
• Care And Collapse — May seeks connection through Petey and the day care center, but her emotional stability deteriorates.
  • Petey's Ashtray — Petey gives May a personalized clay ashtray.
  • Loopy's Death — May kills Loopy and shatters Petey's gift in anger.
• Descent Into Violence — The destruction of Suzie and another humiliating rejection push May toward murder and bodily collection.
  • Broken Glass Case — The children destroy Suzie and her protective case.
  • More Parts Needed — After killing the young punk, May decides she needs more parts.
• Building Amy — May transforms the bodies of people connected to her rejection into a new companion.
  • Halloween Murders — May kills Polly, Ambrosia, Adam, and Adam's new girlfriend.
  • The Eye Sacrifice — May adds her own lazy eye to complete Amy.
• Impossible Recognition — Amy's apparent animation gives May the recognition and affection she has always wanted.
  • Amy Awakens — The completed doll appears to come to life.
  • A Gentle Caress — Amy touches May's face with Adam's hands.

Directed by

Lucky McKee

Key Cast

• Angela Bettis — May
• Jeremy Sisto — Adam
• Anna Faris — Polly
• James Duval — Blank
• Nichole Hiltz — Ambrosia