Above Ground (2017) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A hidden illegal business, a murder cover-up, and a jealous accusation converge as Julie and Jake seek the truth about Thad's disappearance.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Clinic's Hidden Business

Recently divorced Thad works at Gayle's clinic and secretly connects her with illegal diet pill suppliers. Their arrangement breaks down when the suppliers raise their rates.

Key Events

• Thad Works at the Clinic — Recently divorced Thad works part-time at Gayle's weight loss clinic. Characters: Thad, Gayle Benson Location: Weight loss clinic, southwest Missouri
• Thad Brokers Pill Deals — Thad secretly connects Gayle with her illegal diet pill suppliers. Characters: Thad, Gayle Benson Location: Southwest Missouri
• Suppliers Raise Their Rates — Gayle's suppliers raise their rates, disrupting the arrangement. Characters: Gayle Benson Location: Unspecified
• Gayle Murders Suppliers — Gayle responds to the increased rates by murdering the suppliers. Characters: Gayle Benson Location: Unspecified

Murder and Forced Disposal

Gayle murders the suppliers and forces Thad to dispose of the evidence. Meanwhile, Julie ends her relationship with Crane after recognizing that she still loves Thad.

Key Events

• Thad Disposes of Evidence — Gayle forces Thad to dispose of evidence from the murders. Characters: Thad, Gayle Benson Location: Unspecified
• Julie Leaves Crane — Julie breaks up with Crane after realizing she still loves Thad. Characters: Julie, Sheriff Crane Location: Unspecified
• Crane Learns of Murders — Crane learns about the murders and connects them to an opportunity against Thad. Characters: Sheriff Crane Location: Unspecified

A Jealous Accusation

After learning about the murders, Crane decides to implicate Thad to keep Julie for himself. Gayle also sees Thad as a threat to her operation.

Key Events

• Crane Targets Thad — Jealous Crane decides to implicate Thad to keep Julie for himself. Characters: Sheriff Crane, Thad Location: Unspecified
• Thad Becomes a Liability — Thad's potential to expose Gayle's operation makes him a threat to her. Characters: Thad, Gayle Benson Location: Unspecified
• Thad Goes into Hiding — Pursued by Gayle and the law, Thad goes into hiding. Characters: Thad Location: Unspecified

Julie Pursues the Truth

Thad goes into hiding as Gayle and the law pursue him. Julie hires Jake, whose investigation begins to uncover the mystery, while the search increases the danger to Julie and Thad.

Key Events

• Julie Seeks Help — Julie enlists private investigator Jake to investigate the murders and Thad's disappearance. Characters: Julie, Jake Liebig Location: Unspecified
• Jake Unravels the Mystery — Jake begins investigating the links between the murders and Thad's disappearance. Characters: Jake Liebig Location: Unspecified
• Julie Closes in on Truth — Julie's pursuit of the truth advances through Jake's investigation. Characters: Julie, Jake Liebig Location: Unspecified
• The Search Raises the Stakes — The truth-seeking and pursuit place Julie's and Thad's lives in increasing peril. Characters: Julie, Thad, Gayle Benson, Jake Liebig, Sheriff Crane Location: Unspecified
• The Danger Remains — The reference ends with Julie and Thad endangered as the pursuit and investigation continue. Characters: Julie, Thad, Gayle Benson, Sheriff Crane, Jake Liebig Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• Thad's Double Life — Thad's clinic job conceals his role connecting Gayle to illegal suppliers.
  • Clinic Employment — Thad works part-time at Gayle's weight loss clinic.
  • Supplier Connections — He secretly acts as a go-between for Gayle and illegal diet pill suppliers.
• The Broken Deal — The suppliers' increased rates disrupt the arrangement and lead to murder.
  • Rates Increase — Gayle's suppliers raise their rates.
  • Suppliers Murdered — Gayle murders the suppliers in response.
• The Evidence Cover-Up — After the murders, Gayle involves Thad in disposing of evidence.
  • Forced Disposal — Gayle makes Thad dispose of evidence from the murders.
  • Exposure Risk — Thad becomes a threat because he could expose Gayle's operation.
• Julie's Romantic Break — Julie's feelings for Thad end her relationship with Sheriff Crane.
  • Breakup with Crane — Julie separates from Crane after a messy breakup.
  • Love for Thad — Julie realizes she is still in love with her ex-husband.
• Crane's Jealous Plot — Crane uses the murder case against Thad in an effort to keep Julie.
  • Murders Come to Light — Crane learns about the murders.
  • Thad Implicated — Crane decides to implicate Thad because of his jealousy.
• Thad on the Run — Facing pursuit from Gayle and the law, Thad hides while Julie searches for answers.
  • Pursued by Two Sides — Gayle and the law pursue Thad.
  • Hiding — Thad goes into hiding.
• Jake's Investigation — Julie hires a private investigator to connect the murders with Thad's disappearance.
  • Julie Enlists Jake — Julie asks Jake Liebig to help investigate.
  • Mystery Unraveled — Jake begins looking into the murders and Thad's sudden disappearance.
• Truth and Peril — As Julie gets closer to the truth, the danger to her and Thad grows.
  • Closer to the Truth — Julie's investigation advances with Jake's help.
  • Lives at Risk — The search places both Julie and Thad in increasing peril.

Directed by

Thomas Rennier

Key Cast

• Clayne Crawford — Thad
• M.J. Brackin — Julie
• Heather Roop — Gayle Benson
• Ken Hudson Campbell — Jake Liebig
• Andie Bottrell — Brenda