Upon Waking (2024) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Molly and Irene grow close while fears, family objections, and hospital barriers leave their connection unresolved.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

An Uneasy First Evening

Molly visits Irene after what appears to be their first date. Despite Irene's distraction, they share games, personal stories, and glimpses of Irene's interests, gradually growing closer.

Key Events

• Molly Visits Irene — Molly visits Irene's home after what appears to be their first date. Characters: Molly, Irene Location: Irene's home
• An Uneasy Evening — They try to settle in with drinks and food, but the evening feels uneasy. Characters: Molly, Irene Location: Irene's home
• Irene's Distraction — Irene is distracted, and Molly notices her repeated trips to the kitchen. Characters: Molly, Irene Location: Irene's home
• Jokes and Games — The two joke and play games as they spend more time together. Characters: Molly, Irene Location: Irene's home
• Irene Shares Her Past — Irene describes growing up with a strict mother after her father went away. Characters: Irene Location: Irene's home
• Molly's Childhood — Molly tells Irene that her grandmother raised her after her parents died. Characters: Molly Location: Irene's home
• Irene's Art Supplies — Irene introduces Molly to her art supplies. Characters: Molly, Irene Location: Irene's home
• The Viola — Irene shows Molly a viola she wants to play again. Characters: Molly, Irene Location: Irene's home
• Growing Closer — Their shared time and personal stories bring Molly and Irene closer. Characters: Molly, Irene Location: Irene's home

The Fear of Being Left

Irene faces a hostile presence that takes the form of someone close to her and warns that everyone will leave. Irene rejects it, but the confrontation reveals her vulnerability and fear of abandonment.

Key Events

• Growing Closer — Their shared time and personal stories bring Molly and Irene closer. Characters: Molly, Irene Location: Irene's home
• A Hostile Presence — Irene encounters a hostile presence that takes the form of someone close to her. Characters: Irene Location: Not specified
• Fear of Abandonment — The presence insists that everyone will eventually leave Irene. Characters: Irene Location: Not specified
• Irene Rejects It — Irene rejects the hostile presence, though the encounter exposes her vulnerability. Characters: Irene Location: Not specified

A Family Objection

Irene's family objects to Molly's presence and invokes Molly's grandmother. Molly insists that she should be judged as herself, not by her grandmother's actions.

Key Events

• Family Objects — Irene's family objects to Molly's presence and brings up Molly's grandmother. Characters: Molly, Irene Location: Not specified
• Molly Defends Herself — Molly says she is not her grandmother and wants to be judged for herself. Characters: Molly Location: Not specified

Molly Keeps Reaching

At the hospital, Molly refuses to leave Irene, then returns to speak to her and ask for a sign. Repeated restrictions and doubts from someone who knew Irene leave Molly still trying to reach her, with their future unresolved.

Key Events

• Hospital Separation — Molly refuses to leave Irene, despite being told Irene is cared for by her family. Characters: Molly, Irene Location: Hospital
• Molly Leaves — Molly leaves after staff say she can go home and that Irene is being cared for. Characters: Molly Location: Hospital
• A Hopeful Return — Molly returns and speaks as if she hopes Irene can hear her. Characters: Molly Location: Hospital
• A Request for a Sign — Molly recalls their shared life and interests and asks Irene for a sign. Characters: Molly Location: Hospital
• Visits Denied — Molly keeps trying to visit but is repeatedly told only family may go upstairs. Characters: Molly Location: Hospital
• An Unresolved Reach — Molly insists Irene is her family, but someone who knew Irene says they barely know each other; Molly continues trying to reach Irene. Characters: Molly Location: Hospital

Story Breakdown

• Uneasy First Date — Molly visits Irene, and the evening begins with distraction and uncertainty.
  • Home Visit — Molly visits Irene after what appears to be their first date.
  • Kitchen Trips — Irene is distracted, and Molly notices her repeated trips to the kitchen.
• Shared Personal Histories — Games and personal disclosures allow the two women to learn more about one another.
  • Irene's Childhood — Irene talks about her strict mother and her father going away.
  • Molly's Childhood — Molly says her grandmother raised her after her parents died.
• Art and Music — Irene shares interests that matter to her, and their time together brings them closer.
  • Art Supplies — Irene introduces Molly to her art supplies.
  • Returning to Viola — Irene shows Molly a viola she wants to play again.
• Abandonment Confrontation — A frightening encounter voices Irene's fear that people will leave her.
  • Hostile Presence — Irene faces a hostile presence that takes the form of someone close to her.
  • Irene's Rejection — Irene rejects the presence, though the encounter exposes her vulnerability.
• Family Objections — Irene's family objects to Molly, and Molly rejects being judged by her grandmother's history.
  • Grandmother Invoked — Irene's family brings up Molly's grandmother while objecting to Molly's presence.
  • Molly's Defense — Molly insists that she is not her grandmother and wants to be judged for herself.
• Hospital Separation — Molly struggles to remain connected to Irene when staff say Irene is being cared for by family.
  • Refusal to Leave — Molly refuses to leave Irene at the hospital.
  • Leaving the Hospital — Molly leaves after staff say Irene is being cared for and Molly can go home.
• Repeated Attempts — Molly returns and continues trying to reach Irene despite being turned away.
  • Asking for a Sign — Molly recalls their shared life and interests and asks Irene for a sign.
  • Family Access Dispute — Molly is told only family may go upstairs and insists Irene is her family.
• Unresolved Ending — Someone who knew Irene questions the closeness of their bond, while Molly continues trying to reach her.
  • Doubts About Their Bond — Someone who knew Irene tells Molly that they barely know one another.
  • Still Reaching — Molly's attempts to reach Irene continue, leaving their future unresolved.

Directed by

Max Rissman

Key Cast

• Vanessa Dubasso — Molly
• Elsie Hewitt — Irene
• Sherilyn Fenn — Andrea
• Chris Zylka — Doctor Pomeranz
• Emelia Hartford — Lauren