Choose (2011) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A reporter and police investigation connects forced lethal choices, unexplained crimes, and a troubled institutional history, but ends before the case is resolved.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Choices Under Threat

A masked attacker forces a child to choose between parents, leaving the family traumatized. A musician is then trapped and subjected to equally brutal choices about his hearing, playing, and fingers.

Key Events

• A Child Faces an Ultimatum — A masked attacker forces a child to choose which parent will die. Characters: Sara Location: Family home
• The Forced Choice — The child cannot decide, so the attacker makes the choice and traumatizes the family. Characters: Sara Location: Family home
• Musician Trapped Alone — An attacker traps a musician after he rehearses alone. Location: Rehearsal space
• Choices About His Music — The attacker makes the musician choose between hearing and playing. Location: Rehearsal space
• The Musician Is Injured — The attacker demands another choice about severing the musician's fingers; he survives with devastating injuries. Location: Rehearsal space

Clues Without a Pattern

Police find a handmade hourglass and a recurring symbol, but the victims seem unrelated and the attacker leaves no obvious forensic trail. Fiona receives disturbing images and presses police for answers.

Key Events

• Recurring Crime Scene Clues — Police find a handmade hourglass and a recurring symbol at the crime scenes. Characters: Sheriff Tom Wagner Location: Crime scenes
• Victims Seem Unconnected — The victims appear unrelated, and the attacker leaves no obvious forensic trail. Characters: Sheriff Tom Wagner Location: Police investigation
• Fiona Receives Images — Fiona receives images that seem connected to the crimes. Characters: Fiona Location: Unspecified
• Fiona Presses Police — Fiona seeks answers from the police about the killings. Characters: Fiona, Sheriff Tom Wagner Location: Police department

The Milburn Records

Fiona follows clues to records from the closed Milburn Juvenile Detention facility. The records point to unresolved allegations against guards, while Fiona proposes that the victims may be used to make another person feel responsible.

Key Events

• Milburn Records Found — Fiona follows clues to records from the closed juvenile detention facility. Characters: Fiona Location: Records archive
• Unresolved Guard Allegations — The records indicate that allegations against Milburn guards were never resolved. Characters: Fiona Location: Records archive
• A Different Intended Target — Fiona argues that the victims may be means of making someone else feel responsible. Characters: Fiona Location: Unspecified
• Sara's Forced Choice Recalled — Fiona cites young Sara, who was forced to choose her father's death in front of her family. Characters: Fiona, Sara Location: Unspecified

A Lead Without Closure

Investigators uncover Nathan's path through adoption, child services, foster homes, and Milburn, including Jenna's unproven accusation. A new lead sends police toward an address, but Fiona is told to stay behind and the case remains unresolved.

Key Events

• Nathan's Placement History — Investigators uncover that Nathan was adopted, returned to child services, and placed in foster homes. Characters: Jenna Marlowe Location: Child services and foster homes
• The Foster Home Connection — The musician and Jenna's family are identified as separate foster placements for Nathan. Characters: Jenna Marlowe Location: Foster homes
• Jenna's Unproven Accusation — Jenna accused Nathan of rape, but the allegation was never proven. Characters: Jenna Marlowe Location: Foster home
• Nathan Enters Milburn — After being removed from Jenna's home, Nathan entered Milburn, where abuse and violence appear to have escalated. Location: Milburn Juvenile Detention
• Investigators Hurry to an Address — The new lead sends investigators toward an address as Wagner orders Fiona to stay behind. Characters: Sheriff Tom Wagner Location: Unspecified address
• Case Left Unresolved — Fiona remains in danger, and the account ends before police arrive or the case is resolved. Characters: Fiona, Sheriff Tom Wagner Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• The Family Ultimatum — A masked attacker traumatizes a family by making a child choose which parent will die.
  • Child Cannot Choose — The child is unable to decide when given the ultimatum.
  • Choice Is Forced — The attacker forces the choice, leaving the family traumatized.
• The Musician's Ordeal — A musician is trapped alone and forced to make choices that threaten his senses and ability to play.
  • Hearing Or Playing — The attacker demands a choice between losing hearing and losing the ability to play.
  • Devastating Injuries — After another demand concerning his fingers, the musician survives with severe injuries.
• Unclear Crime Pattern — Police find repeated clues but cannot immediately connect the apparently unrelated victims.
  • Handmade Hourglass — A handmade hourglass is found at the crime scenes.
  • No Forensic Trail — The attacker leaves no obvious forensic evidence.
• Fiona's Investigation — Fiona receives disturbing images, seeks police answers, and follows clues into old records.
  • Images Reach Fiona — Fiona receives images that seem connected to the crimes.
  • Police Questioned — She presses the police for information about the case.
• Milburn's Dark History — Records from the closed detention facility point to unresolved allegations against guards.
  • Old Records Found — Fiona follows clues to Milburn Juvenile Detention records.
  • Unresolved Allegations — The records indicate that allegations against guards were never resolved.
• Blame and Sara — Fiona argues the victims may be used to make someone else feel responsible, citing Sara's forced choice.
  • Victims May Be Means — Fiona suggests the victims may not be the real targets.
  • Sara's Trauma — Sara was forced to choose her father's death in front of her family.
• Nathan's Foster History — Investigators trace Nathan through adoption, child services, foster placements, and Milburn.
  • Foster Home Links — The musician and Jenna's family are identified as separate foster placements.
  • Jenna's Unproven Claim — Jenna accused Nathan of rape, but the allegation was never proven.
• The Unresolved Lead — The investigation moves toward a new address while Fiona remains in danger and the account stops short of resolution.
  • Police Hurry Out — Investigators head toward an address after uncovering the new lead.
  • Fiona Told to Stay — Wagner orders Fiona to stay behind; the police arrival and case resolution are not shown.

Directed by

Marcus Graves

Key Cast

• Katheryn Winnick — Fiona
• Nicholas Tucci — Scarlip
• Kevin Pollak — Sheriff Tom Wagner
• Bruce Dern — Dr. Ronald Pendleton
• Richard Short — Detective Benson