Tar (2020) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A family and their acquaintances confront an ancient underground horror awakened beneath Los Angeles.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Pit Beneath Los Angeles

The story introduces the history of the La Brea tar pits and the ancient warnings surrounding the unseen force beneath them. The modern building sits above a danger connected to that history.

Key Events

• Tar Pits Form — Rising temperatures cause tar to seep upward and trap animals. Location: La Brea tar pits
• Native Warnings — Villagers use tar as sealant until three people suffocate in it. Location: La Brea tar pits
• Matchi-Manitou Named — The villagers name the unseen force Matchi-Manitou and forbid nighttime visits. Location: La Brea tar pits
• Building Evacuation — The Greenwood family and acquaintances prepare to empty the building. Characters: Barry Greenwood, Zach Greenwood, Rose, Diana, Marigold, Ben Location: Los Angeles building
• Six A.M. Deadline — The landlord demands removal, cleaning, and restoration before six a.m. Characters: Barry Greenwood, Zach Greenwood, Rose, Diana, Marigold, Ben Location: Los Angeles building

A Deadline Under Pressure

The Greenwood family and their acquaintances empty a building under a strict six a.m. deadline. Personal frustrations and Barry's abandoned dreams create tension before the supernatural events begin.

Key Events

• Buried Dreams — Barry reflects on abandoning dreams of adventure amid family obligations. Characters: Barry Greenwood Location: Los Angeles building
• Building Shakes — The building begins to shake without warning. Characters: Barry Greenwood, Zach Greenwood, Rose, Diana, Marigold, Ben Location: Los Angeles building
• Lights Fail — Strange noises, flickering lights, and power failures spread through the building. Characters: Barry Greenwood, Zach Greenwood, Rose, Diana, Marigold, Ben Location: Los Angeles building

The Warning Returns

Shaking, failing lights, strange noises, and black tar reveal that something beneath the city has awakened. Carl explains his archaeological experience and warns the group about the Man of the Tar.

Key Events

• Black Tar Appears — Black tar appears on the ground, suggesting something beneath the city has awakened. Characters: Barry Greenwood, Zach Greenwood, Rose, Diana, Marigold, Ben Location: Los Angeles building
• Carl Reveals His Past — Carl says he once assisted archaeologists near the La Brea tar pits. Characters: Homeless Man/Carl, Barry Greenwood, Zach Greenwood, Rose, Diana, Ben Location: Los Angeles building
• The Tar Man Witnessed — Carl recalls seeing something emerge after the ground was disturbed. Characters: Homeless Man/Carl, Barry Greenwood, Zach Greenwood, Rose, Diana, Ben Location: Los Angeles building
• Warnings Rejected — Carl says people rejected his warnings because they refused the truth. Characters: Homeless Man/Carl, Barry Greenwood, Zach Greenwood, Rose, Diana, Ben Location: Los Angeles building
• Search For Telephone — The group debates staying together or searching for a telephone. Characters: Barry Greenwood, Zach Greenwood, Rose, Diana, Marigold, Ben Location: Los Angeles building

Attack In The Building

The group debates whether to stay together or find a telephone, but the creature attacks before they can secure safety. Zach is seen in the chaos and Marigold is confirmed dead.

Key Events

• Creature Attacks — The awakened creature attacks the group inside the dangerous building. Characters: Barry Greenwood, Zach Greenwood, Rose, Diana, Marigold, Ben Location: Los Angeles building
• Zach In The Chaos — Zach is seen amid the escalating attack and confusion. Characters: Zach Greenwood, Barry Greenwood, Rose, Diana, Marigold, Ben Location: Los Angeles building
• Marigold Confirmed Dead — Marigold is later confirmed dead after the creature attack. Characters: Marigold, Barry Greenwood, Rose, Diana, Ben Location: Los Angeles building
• Ben Kills Creature — Ben manages to kill the attacking creature. Characters: Ben, Barry Greenwood, Zach Greenwood, Rose, Diana Location: Los Angeles building

Escape Without Closure

Ben kills the creature, but the building and ground remain dangerous during the attempted escape. Diana is pulled toward danger, Rose finds the injured Barry, and the underground horror remains unresolved.

Key Events

• Ben Kills Creature — Ben manages to kill the attacking creature. Characters: Ben, Barry Greenwood, Zach Greenwood, Rose, Diana Location: Los Angeles building
• Escape Turns Dangerous — The survivors attempt to flee while the building and ground remain dangerous. Characters: Barry Greenwood, Zach Greenwood, Rose, Diana, Ben Location: Building exit
• Diana Pulled Away — Diana is pulled toward danger as other people are lost during the attempted escape. Characters: Diana, Barry Greenwood, Rose, Zach Greenwood Location: Building exterior
• Rose Finds Barry — Rose finds injured Barry and tries to keep him conscious. Characters: Rose, Barry Greenwood Location: Building exterior
• Barry Recalls His Father — Barry asks about his father and recalls searching for him while hearing an unforgettable sound. Characters: Barry Greenwood, Rose Location: Building exterior
• Unresolved Underground Horror — The survivors face unresolved horror beneath Los Angeles. Characters: Barry Greenwood, Rose Location: Los Angeles

Story Breakdown

• Ancient Pit History — The La Brea tar pits are established as a source of danger and cultural warning.
  • Natural Tar Formation — Rising temperatures cause tar to seep upward and trap animals.
  • Matchi-Manitou Legend — Villagers name the unseen force and forbid nighttime approaches.
• Greenwood Relocation — The Greenwood family and their acquaintances prepare to empty a pressured building.
  • Six A.M. Deadline — The landlord demands that the property be emptied, cleaned, and restored.
  • Abandoned Dreams — Barry reflects on personal obligations and lost hopes of adventure.
• Underground Awakening — Physical disturbances reveal that the old danger beneath Los Angeles has returned.
  • Shaking Building — The building shakes as strange noises and flickering lights begin.
  • Black Tar Signs — Power failures and black tar appearing on the ground confirm the threat.
• Carl's Dark Testimony — The homeless former archaeological assistant explains what he witnessed near the tar pits.
  • Disturbed Ground — Carl recalls seeing something emerge when the ground was disturbed.
  • Rejected Warnings — Carl says people dismissed his warnings because they rejected the truth.
• Group Under Siege — The frightened group debates its options before the supernatural threat attacks.
  • Telephone Debate — The group considers staying together or searching for a telephone.
  • Marigold Lost — The attack causes chaos, and Marigold is later confirmed dead.
• Escape And Aftermath — The survivors fight to escape while the building and ground remain dangerous.
  • Ben's Counterattack — Ben kills the creature during the desperate crisis.
  • Barry's Final Memory — Rose supports injured Barry as he asks about his father and recalls an unforgettable sound.

Directed by

Aaron Wolf

Key Cast

• Timothy Bottoms — Barry Greenwood
• Graham Greene — Homeless Man/Carl
• Aaron Wolf — Zach Greenwood
• Emily Peachey — Rose
• Max Perlich — Alfred