AWOL (2017) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Joey struggles between imminent military service and an uncertain escape with Rayna to Canada.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Service Beneath Family Talk

Joey is questioned about work and military service during a family gathering. Her resentment toward being taken to recruiting and her mother's worry establish the pressure surrounding her impending departure.

Key Events

• Family Questions Joey — Joey is questioned about truck work and possible service in Iraq or Afghanistan. Characters: Joey Location: Family gathering
• Military Preparation Revealed — The conversation reveals that Joey is preparing for military service. Characters: Joey Location: Family gathering
• Mother's Worry — Joey's mother worries about her future, while Joey resents being taken to recruiting. Characters: Joey Location: Family gathering
• Presents for Rayna's Children — Joey says she is bringing presents to Rayna's children. Characters: Joey Location: Family gathering

A Dream of Canada

Joey tells Rayna about escaping to Canada and imagines a new life in British Columbia or Montreal. Their romantic connection becomes explicit as the fantasy develops.

Key Events

• Canada Escape Proposed — Joey tells Rayna that they could escape together to Canada. Characters: Joey, Rayna Location: Rayna's home
• British Columbia Fantasy — They imagine becoming pot farmers in British Columbia. Characters: Joey, Rayna Location: Rayna's home
• Montreal Fantasy — They also imagine learning French in Montreal and joke about French kissing. Characters: Joey, Rayna Location: Rayna's home
• Joey Counts Her Money — Joey says she has $636 to support the proposed escape. Characters: Joey, Rayna Location: Rayna's home

Agreement Against Doubt

Rayna questions whether Joey's $636 can support them. Joey insists on leaving, and Rayna eventually agrees, briefly turning the escape fantasy into a shared plan.

Key Events

• Rayna Questions Survival — Rayna questions how they could survive in Canada on Joey's money. Characters: Joey, Rayna Location: Rayna's home
• Joey Insists on Leaving — Joey insists she will go to Canada even if Rayna refuses. Characters: Joey, Rayna Location: Rayna's home
• Rayna Agrees — Rayna finally agrees to go, and Joey celebrates their decision. Characters: Joey, Rayna Location: Rayna's home
• Second Family Gathering — Joey returns to a family gathering while continuing to pursue money for her plans. Characters: Joey Location: Family gathering

The Cost of Leaving

Joey seeks additional money from a relative but receives only $100 and an insulting warning. The encounter exposes the social pressure surrounding her plans and sexuality.

Key Events

• Joey Requests Funding — Joey asks a relative for $200 to help fund her plans. Characters: Joey Location: Family gathering
• Partial Financial Help — The relative offers only $100 and warns Joey not to do anything foolish. Characters: Joey Location: Family gathering
• Unwelcome Sexual Comments — The relative makes unwelcome comments about Joey's sexuality. Characters: Joey Location: Family gathering
• Visit to Rayna's Home — Joey visits Rayna and the children while Roy works outside in the fields. Characters: Joey, Rayna, Roy Location: Rayna's home
• Present Given to Child — Joey gives one of the girls a present. Characters: Joey Location: Rayna's home

Departure Without Certainty

Joey visits Rayna's home, gives a child a present, and learns about a care package. The announcement of her Afghanistan departure and the awkward farewell leave the Canadian escape unresolved.

Key Events

• Care Package Revealed — Joey learns that a care package has been prepared for her. Characters: Joey, Rayna, Roy Location: Rayna's home
• Departure Announced — Rayna tells Roy that Joey is leaving for Afghanistan the next day. Characters: Joey, Rayna, Roy Location: Rayna's home and fields
• Care Package Refused — A child refuses to retrieve the care package, creating an awkward farewell. Characters: Joey, Rayna Location: Rayna's home
• Vehicle Departure Preparations — Indistinct conversations and hurried instructions surround a vehicle as departure approaches. Characters: Joey Location: Vehicle area
• Uncertain Final Departure — Someone warns that they are running out of data while Joey's departure remains imminent. Characters: Joey Location: Vehicle area

Story Breakdown

• Military Preparation — Family conversations establish Joey's approaching military service and the pressure surrounding it.
  • Service Questions — Joey is asked what she will do in Iraq or Afghanistan.
  • Recruiting Resentment — Joey resents that her mother took her to the recruiting center.
• Family Pressure — Joey's family expresses concern while also making her plans financially and emotionally more difficult.
  • Mother's Worry — Joey's mother worries about her future.
  • Insulting Warning — A relative offers limited money and makes unwelcome comments about Joey's sexuality.
• Canadian Escape — Joey imagines abandoning her expected path for a life with Rayna in Canada.
  • British Columbia — Joey and Rayna imagine becoming pot farmers in British Columbia.
  • Montreal Dream — They imagine learning French in Montreal and joke about French kissing.
• Rayna's Decision — Rayna moves from questioning the plan to agreeing to accompany Joey.
  • Financial Doubt — Rayna questions how the group could survive on Joey's $636.
  • Conditional Agreement — Rayna agrees after Joey insists she will leave with or without her.
• Departure Conflict — Joey's imminent Afghanistan departure undermines the escape plan she made with Rayna.
  • Afghanistan Tomorrow — Rayna tells Roy that Joey is leaving for Afghanistan the next day.
  • Uncertain Future — Joey's promised Canadian escape remains unresolved as departure approaches.
• Awkward Farewell — Joey's final visit combines affection, a care package, and restrained emotional discomfort.
  • Gift for Child — Joey gives one of the girls a present.
  • Care Package Refused — A child refuses to retrieve the care package, creating an awkward farewell.

Directed by

Deb Shoval

Key Cast

• Lola Kirke — Joey
• Breeda Wool — Rayna
• Dale Soules — Ruthie
• Ted Welch — Pete
• Britne Oldford — Haley