Adopting Audrey (2022) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Audrey weighs her wish to leave Denver against the tentative belonging she finds while joining Sunny and Otto's household and working on a family project.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Life Stalled in Denver

Audrey struggles with awkward collection calls, an unhappy private life, and the loss of her job. Rent pressure from Warren sharpens her wish to leave Denver.

Key Events

• Struggling at Work — Audrey makes awkward collection calls while struggling to keep her job and housing. Characters: Audrey Location: Workplace
• Hiding Her Unhappiness — Audrey avoids telling her mother how unhappy she is. Characters: Audrey, Mom Location: Unspecified
• Let Go at Work — Her employer decides she is unsuited to dealing with people, and Audrey accepts being let go. Characters: Audrey Location: Workplace
• Rent Pressure — Warren presses Audrey about rent as she hints at wanting to leave Denver. Characters: Audrey, Warren Location: Audrey's residence

An Uncertain Welcome

Audrey becomes part of Sunny and Otto's household as they consider welcoming her into their family. Otto's ignorance of the arrangement and his blunt manner make the introduction uncomfortable.

Key Events

• A Possible New Family — Audrey enters Sunny and Otto's household as they consider welcoming her into their family. Characters: Audrey, Sunny Location: Sunny and Otto's household
• Uncomfortable Introduction — Sunny admits Otto does not know why Audrey is there; Otto responds bluntly and distrusts the internet. Characters: Audrey, Sunny, Otto Location: Sunny and Otto's household
• Household Frictions — The household includes Otto's mother Mutti, while Otto's disagreements with his son John are established. Characters: Otto, John, Mutti Location: Family household

Building a Tentative Bond

Otto's rigid habits initially challenge Audrey, but conversations about loss and childhood create a point of connection. His memories of postwar Germany reveal part of his past.

Key Events

• Otto Challenges Audrey — Otto challenges Audrey's knowledge, insists on his own methods, and struggles to show affection. Characters: Audrey, Otto Location: Family household
• Shared Conversations — Audrey and Otto begin to connect through ordinary moments and conversations about loss and childhood. Characters: Audrey, Otto Location: Family household
• Postwar Memories — When Audrey is sick, Otto recalls growing up in postwar Germany and explains why he will not serve chicken while she is there. Characters: Audrey, Otto Location: Family household

The Tree House Project

Audrey takes on the neglected tree house wanted by Otto's grandchildren. Working on it gives the household a shared task, even as Otto tries to direct her efforts.

Key Events

• The Neglected Tree House — Audrey discovers that Otto has neglected the tree house his grandchildren want and takes on the project. Characters: Audrey, Otto Location: Family property
• Working on the Project — Audrey's practical work gives the family a shared project, while Otto tries to direct the construction. Characters: Audrey, Otto Location: Family property

Leaving or Belonging

Family tensions surface during dinner, and Audrey is encouraged to accompany Otto to a rocket launch. She tells Warren she plans to leave, while Sunny asks her to finish the tree house; the project and Audrey's decision remain unresolved.

Key Events

• Dinner Disagreement — During a visit and dinner, Otto clashes with John over cooking steaks. Characters: Audrey, Otto, John, Sunny Location: Family household
• Rocket Launch Invitation — Audrey is encouraged to accompany Otto to watch a rocket launch. Characters: Audrey, Otto Location: Unspecified
• Audrey Plans to Leave — Audrey tells Warren she is leaving soon, but he hopes she will stay. Characters: Audrey, Warren Location: Unspecified
• Sunny Asks About Completion — Sunny learns Audrey may leave and asks whether she will finish the tree house first. Characters: Audrey, Sunny Location: Family household
• The Project Remains Underway — Audrey continues the tree-house project, while her eventual decision to stay or leave remains unresolved. Characters: Audrey, Otto, Sunny Location: Family property

Story Breakdown

• Audrey's Denver Rut — Work, housing, and concealed unhappiness leave Audrey uncertain about her life in Denver.
  • Awkward Collection Calls — Audrey struggles with calls at work and with keeping her job.
  • Hidden Unhappiness — She avoids telling her mother how unhappy she feels.
• Pressure to Leave — Job loss and rent concerns make Audrey consider leaving the city.
  • Let Go at Work — Her employer decides she is not suited to dealing with people, and she accepts being let go.
  • Rent and Departure — Warren presses her about rent while Audrey hints she wants to see somewhere new.
• A Household Invitation — Sunny and Otto consider bringing Audrey into their family, but the arrangement begins awkwardly.
  • Sunny's Proposal — Audrey is drawn into the household of Sunny and Otto, who are considering welcoming her.
  • Otto's Surprise — Sunny admits Otto does not know why Audrey is there, and his blunt response makes the introduction uncomfortable.
• Family Frictions — Otto's habits and relationships reveal the household's tensions.
  • John's Disagreements — Otto is often at odds with his son John.
  • Distant Relatives — Otto's daughter Gretchen and the grandchildren remain at a distance, while his mother Mutti is part of the household.
• Audrey and Otto Connect — Everyday exchanges gradually create a tentative connection between Audrey and Otto.
  • Loss and Childhood — They connect through conversations about loss and childhood.
  • Postwar Memories — When Audrey becomes sick, Otto recalls growing up in postwar Germany and explains his refusal to serve chicken while she is there.
• The Tree House Work — Audrey takes on a neglected family project that gives the household something to do together.
  • A Neglected Project — Audrey discovers that Otto has long neglected the tree house his grandchildren want.
  • Shared Construction — Audrey works on the tree house while Otto tries to direct the construction.
• Tensions at Dinner — A family visit exposes ongoing disagreements, even as Audrey is invited to share an activity with Otto.
  • Steak Disagreement — Otto clashes with John over cooking steaks during dinner.
  • Rocket Launch Invitation — Audrey is encouraged to accompany Otto to watch a rocket launch.
• An Unresolved Departure — Audrey's intention to leave collides with her growing place in the household.
  • Warren Hopes She Stays — Audrey tells Warren she is leaving soon, but he hopes she will stay.
  • The Project Continues — Sunny asks whether Audrey will finish the tree house, and the available events leave Audrey's decision unresolved.

Directed by

Mike Cahill

Key Cast

• Jena Malone — Audrey
• Robert Hunger-Bühler — Otto
• Emily Kuroda — Sunny
• Will Rogers — John
• Brooke Bloom — Gretchen