The Automatic Hate (2016) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A young chef uncovers a buried family tragedy involving fraternal betrayal, guilt, and the destructive cycle of inherited trauma.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Stranger at the Door

Davis's relationship with Cassie strains when a mysterious woman follows him home. She reveals herself as his long-lost cousin Alexis, sparking Davis's curiosity about his father's hidden past. Ronald dismisses the inquiry, but a found photograph pushes Davis to investigate.

Key Events

• Cassie's Emotional Plea — Davis's girlfriend Cassie cries and asks for alone time, straining their relationship. Characters: Davis Green, Cassie Location: Boston Apartment
• Alexis Follows Davis — A mysterious woman follows Davis home and requests a hug. Characters: Davis Green, Alexis Green Location: Boston Street
• Cousin Revelation — Alexis introduces herself as Davis's cousin, shocking him. Characters: Davis Green, Alexis Green Location: Davis's Home
• Father's Condescending Lecture — Davis attends his father's psychology class on nature vs nurture. Characters: Davis Green Location: University
• Dinner Refusal — Davis's father condescendingly declines his offer to cook a family meal. Characters: Davis Green Location: Davis's Home
• The Mysterious Photograph — Davis finds a photo suggesting his father had a brother. Characters: Davis Green Location: Davis's Home

Journey to the Past

Davis travels to upstate New York to meet Alexis and her sisters. He stays at Uncle Josh's house, where Josh acknowledges their family connection but refuses to discuss the estranged brother. The visit deepens Davis's connection to Alexis and his family's roots.

Key Events

• The Mysterious Photograph — Davis finds a photo suggesting his father had a brother. Characters: Davis Green Location: Davis's Home
• Grandfather's Silence — The ailing grandfather refuses to discuss the photo, warning Davis away. Characters: Davis Green Location: Family Home
• Journey to Upstate New York — Davis travels to the address Alexis left him to investigate. Characters: Davis Green Location: Upstate New York
• Meeting the Sisters — Davis meets Alexis and her two sisters at their family property. Characters: Davis Green, Alexis Green Location: Family Store
• Bar Confrontation — Davis punches a man who had relations with Alexis's sisters. Characters: Davis Green, Alexis Green Location: Local Bar
• Uncle Josh's Hospitality — Davis stays with Josh, who initially assumes he is Alexis's boyfriend. Characters: Davis Green, Alexis Green, Uncle Josh Location: Uncle Josh's House

Blood and Secrets

Davis and Alexis investigate a hunting lodge, uncovering 16mm footage and a bracelet that hint at a dark family history. Their shared discovery leads to intimacy, while Cassie arrives in New York to report the grandfather's death, forcing the group to return to Boston.

Key Events

• Uncle Josh's Hospitality — Davis stays with Josh, who initially assumes he is Alexis's boyfriend. Characters: Davis Green, Alexis Green, Uncle Josh Location: Uncle Josh's House
• Josh's Apology & Truth — Josh reveals he knows Davis's identity, apologizes, and refuses to discuss his brother. Characters: Davis Green, Uncle Josh Location: Uncle Josh's House
• Lodge Investigation — Alexis convinces Davis to investigate the lodge, where they find old footage. Characters: Davis Green, Alexis Green Location: Hunting Lodge
• Intimacy at the Lodge — After discovering the footage, Davis and Alexis share a sexual encounter. Characters: Davis Green, Alexis Green Location: Hunting Lodge
• Grandfather's Death — Cassie arrives to inform Davis that his grandfather has died. Characters: Davis Green, Cassie, Alexis Green Location: New York Road
• Josh Arrives in Boston — Josh travels to Boston for the funeral, meeting Davis's father's cold reaction. Characters: Uncle Josh, Davis Green Location: Ronald's House

Confrontation and Reckoning

Josh arrives in Boston, reigniting old wounds between the brothers. A dinner turns violent as accusations of murder fly, and family secrets about a sister's suicide are finally exposed. Davis processes the trauma, rejects Alexis's advances, and reconciles with Cassie.

Key Events

• Josh Arrives in Boston — Josh travels to Boston for the funeral, meeting Davis's father's cold reaction. Characters: Uncle Josh, Davis Green Location: Ronald's House
• Rivalry for Davis — Cassie and Alexis clash, both trying to monopolize Davis's attention. Characters: Cassie, Alexis Green, Davis Green Location: Ronald's House
• The Bracelet Demand — Davis's father and Josh demand Alexis surrender the bracelet from the lodge. Characters: Alexis Green, Davis Green Location: Dining Room
• Brothers' Fist Fight — A violent fight erupts between the brothers, each accusing the other of murder. Characters: Davis Green, Uncle Josh Location: Dining Room
• Alexis's Brag & Davis's Punch — Alexis brags about Davis's attraction, prompting Davis to punch her. Characters: Alexis Green, Davis Green Location: Dining Room
• Grave Digging Revelation — Josh reveals the tragic truth about their sister Rebecca's suicide. Characters: Davis Green, Uncle Josh Location: Graveyard
• Reconciliation with Cassie — Davis denies physical involvement with Alexis, and Cassie accepts him back. Characters: Davis Green, Cassie Location: Boston

Story Breakdown

• Family Fracture — The foundational rift between estranged brothers that sets the generational conflict in motion.
  • Estranged Brothers — Ronald and Josh live apart after a traumatic family event, maintaining silence about the past.
  • Hidden Sister — Rebecca's existence and tragic fate remain a suppressed secret within the family lineage.
• Cousin's Arrival — Alexis enters Davis's life, acting as the catalyst for uncovering buried family history.
  • Mysterious Encounter — Alexis follows Davis home, introducing herself as his cousin and disrupting his routine.
  • Shared Investigation — Davis and Alexis team up to explore the family store, farm, and hunting lodge.
• Father's Denial — Ronald's emotional detachment and refusal to engage with the past hinder Davis's understanding.
  • Academic Detachment — Ronald lectures on nature versus nurture while ignoring his own son's emotional needs.
  • Suppressed Secrets — Ronald actively discourages Davis from investigating family mementos or asking questions.
• Lodge Discovery — The hunting lodge serves as the physical repository for the family's darkest memories.
  • 16mm Footage — Old film reveals the fathers' past interactions with a young woman, hinting at hidden relationships.
  • The Bracelet — A personal artifact found at the lodge becomes the focal point of the brothers' confrontation.
• Boston Confrontation — The return to Boston forces all parties into a volatile space where old wounds are reopened.
  • Dinner Violence — A family meal escalates into a physical fight between Ronald and Josh over the bracelet.
  • Murder Accusations — Both brothers publicly blame each other for Rebecca's death, shattering any remaining facade.
• Truth and Reconciliation — The final exposure of the past allows Davis to process trauma and choose his path forward.
  • Suicide Revelation — Josh confesses that Rebecca killed herself after Ronald exposed their incestuous relationship.
  • Romantic Resolution — Davis rejects Alexis's advances, clarifies his boundaries, and reunites with Cassie.

Directed by

Justin Lerner

Key Cast

• Joseph Cross — Davis Green
• Adelaide Clemens — Alexis Green
• Ricky Jay — Uncle Josh
• Deborah Ann Woll — Cassie
• Richard Schiff — Dr. Ronald Green