Under the Boardwalk (2023) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A timid land crab overcomes trauma and bridges a species divide to save his love and unite his community.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Shadows Beneath the Planks

Armen's isolated life under the boardwalk is disrupted when friends drag him to a club, leading to a brawl and his subsequent eviction.

Key Events

• Land Crab Community Intro — Introduction to the isolated land crab society and Armen's reclusive nature. Characters: Armen, Bruno Location: Under the Boardwalk
• Armen's Trauma Revealed — Armen's fear of water and attachment to his parents' shell are established. Characters: Armen Location: Under the Boardwalk
• Club Visit Begins — Friends persuade Armen to socialize at the uncle's club. Characters: Armen, Bobby, Manny, Jimmy, Bruno Location: Bruno's Club
• Club Brawl Erupts — A physical altercation breaks out after Armen bumps into a tourist crab. Characters: Armen, Bobby, Manny, Jimmy Location: Bruno's Club
• Eviction & Departure — Land crabs are forced out, prompting Armen to leave alone in frustration. Characters: Armen, Bruno Location: Bruno's Club

Tide of Chaos

A devastating high tide destroys the land crab civilization, and Armen is captured by a human collector, losing his only connection to his past.

Key Events

• Eviction & Departure — Land crabs are forced out, prompting Armen to leave alone in frustration. Characters: Armen, Bruno Location: Bruno's Club
• Seaside Confrontation — Armen sulks alone by the water, reflecting on his isolation. Characters: Armen Location: Seashore
• Shell Theft Incident — Armen's protective shell is stolen during a harassment encounter. Characters: Armen Location: Seashore
• High Tide Devastation — A massive wave sweeps away the land crab civilization. Characters: Armen Location: Beach
• Human Capture — Armen is captured by a collector and fitted with a fake shell. Characters: Armen Location: Pier
• Reunion & Escape — Armen reunites with Ramona in captivity, and they plan their escape. Characters: Armen, Ramona Location: Pier

Pier Bonds

Armen reunites with Ramona in captivity, and they escape together, sharing personal vulnerabilities while navigating the pier's dangers.

Key Events

• Reunion & Escape — Armen reunites with Ramona in captivity, and they plan their escape. Characters: Armen, Ramona Location: Pier
• Pier Journey Begins — The pair navigates the pier attractions while evading capture. Characters: Armen, Ramona Location: Pier
• Sharing Insecurities — Armen and Ramona open up about their fears and family pressures. Characters: Armen, Ramona Location: Pier
• Bobby's Search Patrol — Bobby questions his violent methods while searching for his missing friend. Characters: Bobby Location: Beach
• Val's Misunderstanding — Bobby is angrily dismissed by Ramona's mother after a friendly walk. Characters: Bobby Location: Beach

Fractured Alliances

Bobby's search efforts and a fabricated death claim spark a full-scale war between the land and sea crabs, straining relationships.

Key Events

• Val's Misunderstanding — Bobby is angrily dismissed by Ramona's mother after a friendly walk. Characters: Bobby Location: Beach
• Fight & Broken Arm — Bobby accidentally injures an opponent while trying to stop a brawl. Characters: Bobby Location: Beach
• False Death Claim — A fabricated story presents Armen's shell as proof of his death. Characters: Armen, Ramona Location: Beach
• War Declaration — Both crab communities declare war based on the false narrative. Characters: Armen, Ramona, Bobby, Manny, Jimmy Location: Beach
• Relationship Doubt — Judgment from others makes Armen hesitant about his feelings for Ramona. Characters: Armen, Ramona Location: Beach

Surf of Reconciliation

Armen conquers his water phobia to save Ramona, exposing the lies, ending the conflict, and uniting the communities under fireworks.

Key Events

• Ramona's Collapse — Ramona dehydrates and falls, forcing Armen to act decisively. Characters: Armen, Ramona Location: Beach
• The Water Rescue — Armen pushes through fighting crabs to submerge Ramona in the sea. Characters: Armen, Ramona, Bobby, Manny, Jimmy Location: Beach
• Peace & Fireworks — The war ends, shells are exchanged as peace, and communities unite. Characters: Armen, Ramona, Bobby, Manny, Jimmy, Bruno Location: Beach

Story Breakdown

• Species Rivalry — The foundational tension between isolated land crabs and visiting sea crabs sets the stage for conflict.
  • Land Crab Isolation — Armen's reclusive lifestyle stems from historical trauma and fear of the ocean.
  • Sea Crab Tourism — Visiting sea crabs bring cultural friction and accidental provocations to the boardwalk.
• Armen's Trauma — Armen's psychological barriers are rooted in childhood loss and a protective physical shell.
  • Shell Inheritance — The rotting shell serves as a tangible memorial to his deceased parents.
  • Water Phobia — A deep-seated fear prevents Armen from engaging with the outside world.
• Club Incident — A social outing escalates into violence, forcing Armen out of his comfort zone.
  • Brawl Outbreak — An accidental collision triggers a physical fight between the crab factions.
  • Eviction Order — The club owner expels the land crabs, leaving Armen isolated and frustrated.
• Tide Catastrophe — A natural disaster destroys the habitat and separates the protagonists from their community.
  • Shell Theft — Armen loses his only physical connection to his past during the chaos.
  • Civilization Fall — The high tide washes away the land crab society, shifting the narrative focus.
• Pier Journey — Captivity and escape force Armen and Ramona to confront their insecurities together.
  • Human Capture — Armen is imprisoned and fitted with an artificial shell, stripping his identity.
  • Shared Vulnerabilities — The pair bonds over their fears of family expectations and personal limitations.
• Search & Conflict — Bobby's patrol and false accusations escalate tensions into open warfare.
  • Bobby's Patrol — Bobby questions his violent nature while actively searching for his missing friend.
  • False Accusations — A fabricated death claim using Armen's shell ignites a full-scale community war.
• Romantic Climax — Armen must overcome his deepest fear to save Ramona and prove his love.
  • Ramona's Collapse — Dehydration forces a critical moment where hesitation means loss.
  • Water Crossing — Armen pushes through fighting crabs to submerge Ramona, conquering his phobia.

Directed by

David Soren

Key Cast

• Michael Cera — Armen (voice)
• Keke Palmer — Ramona (voice)
• Bobby Cannavale — Bobby (voice)
• John Magaro — Manny (voice)
• Jon Rudnitsky — Jimmy (voice)