Sleeping with the Devil (1997) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Rebecca survives an abusive relationship and life-threatening attacks, rebuilds her life through rehabilitation, and finds justice and a new future.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Love That Changes Course

Rebecca balances nursing and triathlon training while cautiously opening herself to Dick. She moves to Houston for him and becomes the image of his fitness company, until learning that he is married.

Key Events

• Rebecca's Life After Trauma — Rebecca works as a nurse and trains for a triathlon while remaining wary of dating after past trauma. Characters: Rebecca Dubrovich Location: Santa Barbara
• Rebecca Meets Dick — Rebecca meets Dick, a wealthy fitness-chain owner, and falls in love with him. Characters: Rebecca Dubrovich, Dick Strang Location: Not specified
• Rebecca Shares Her Past — Rebecca tells Dick about her past, including a period when she was rebellious and involved with drugs. Characters: Rebecca Dubrovich, Dick Strang Location: Not specified
• Dick Requests a Move — Dick asks Rebecca to give up med school and move to Houston for him. Characters: Rebecca Dubrovich, Dick Strang Location: Not specified
• Rebecca Joins the Company — After finishing her semester, Rebecca moves to Houston and becomes the image of Dick's fitness company. Characters: Rebecca Dubrovich, Dick Strang Location: Houston
• Dina Reveals the Marriage — A woman identifies herself as Dick's wife, and Rebecca immediately leaves him. Characters: Rebecca Dubrovich, Dick Strang Location: Rebecca's home

The Divorce Becomes a Battle

Rebecca reconciles with Dick after Dina files for divorce, but his fixation on winning the case strains their relationship. Liz warns Rebecca, and Dick's defeat is followed by violence and Rebecca's departure.

Key Events

• Dina Reveals the Marriage — A woman identifies herself as Dick's wife, and Rebecca immediately leaves him. Characters: Rebecca Dubrovich, Dick Strang Location: Rebecca's home
• Rebecca Reconciles with Dick — After Dina files for divorce, Rebecca accepts Dick's explanation and agrees to reconcile. Characters: Rebecca Dubrovich, Dick Strang Location: Not specified
• The Divorce Case Takes Over — Rebecca breaks up with Dick again when he becomes consumed by winning the divorce case. Characters: Rebecca Dubrovich, Dick Strang Location: Not specified
• Liz Warns Rebecca — Liz warns Rebecca that Dick is a liar and a sadist, but Rebecca decides to stand by him during the trial. Characters: Rebecca Dubrovich, Liz Location: Not specified
• Dick Pressures His Friend — During the case, Dick tries to persuade his best friend to lie in court about an affair with Dina. Characters: Dick Strang Location: Not specified
• Dick Loses the Case — Dick loses the case and takes his frustration out on Rebecca, who has announced her pregnancy. Characters: Rebecca Dubrovich, Dick Strang Location: Court
• Rebecca Leaves After Violence — Dick hits Rebecca, demands that she have an abortion, and accuses her of an affair; Rebecca leaves him. Characters: Rebecca Dubrovich, Dick Strang Location: Not specified

A Life Under Threat

Dick sues Rebecca over furniture and pressures her to deny his paternity, while she refuses to compromise her principles. After her miscarriage, threats escalate into a shooting that leaves her paralyzed, followed by a failed attempt on her life.

Key Events

• Rebecca Leaves After Violence — Dick hits Rebecca, demands that she have an abortion, and accuses her of an affair; Rebecca leaves him. Characters: Rebecca Dubrovich, Dick Strang Location: Not specified
• Furniture Lawsuit — Liz helps Rebecca settle into a new house, but Dick sues her for grand theft over the furniture. Characters: Rebecca Dubrovich, Dick Strang, Liz Location: Rebecca's new house
• Rebecca Refuses the Contract — Rebecca refuses to sign a contract denying Dick's paternity, telling her parents she will not let her child be born into a lie. Characters: Rebecca Dubrovich Location: Not specified
• Rebecca Miscarries — Rebecca starts work as a nurse at a local hospital and miscarries during a shift. Characters: Rebecca Dubrovich Location: Local hospital
• Rebecca Is Shot — After Tom threatens Wes, Rebecca is shot several times while leaving for work and survives, paralyzed from the chest down. Characters: Rebecca Dubrovich, Wes Dubrovich, Tom Location: Not specified
• Attempted Lethal Injection — Dick tracks Rebecca down and hires a woman posing as a nurse to give her a lethal injection, but the attempt fails. Characters: Rebecca Dubrovich, Dick Strang Location: Not specified

Recovery and Justice

Rebecca works with Dr. Petrofsky on rehabilitation and falls in love with him. Police catch Dick as he tries to flee, and Rebecca wins her case, receives a substantial award, walks again, completes the marathon, and marries Petrofsky.

Key Events

• Rehabilitation with Petrofsky — Rebecca works for Dr. Petrofsky, and they collaborate on new ideas for helping paralyzed people walk again. Characters: Rebecca Dubrovich, Dr. Jerrold Petrofsky Location: Dr. Petrofsky's workplace
• Dick Is Caught Fleeing — Police catch Dick as he attempts to flee the country, and he is put on trial. Characters: Dick Strang Location: Not specified
• Rebecca Wins and Walks — Rebecca wins her case and is granted over $28 million, which she uses for her recovery. Characters: Rebecca Dubrovich, Dick Strang Location: Court
• The Marathon and Wedding — Rebecca walks in the marathon she once trained for and later walks down the aisle to marry Dr. Petrofsky. Characters: Rebecca Dubrovich, Dr. Jerrold Petrofsky Location: Marathon route and wedding venue

Story Breakdown

• Rebecca's New Beginning — Rebecca's work and athletic training shape her life after past trauma, until she meets Dick.
  • Life After Trauma — Rebecca focuses on nursing and trains for the Santa Barbara triathlon.
  • Meeting Dick — Rebecca falls in love with the wealthy fitness-chain owner.
• The Houston Move — Dick draws Rebecca away from her studies and into his business life.
  • Leaving Med School — Dick asks Rebecca to give up med school and move to Houston.
  • Company Image — Rebecca moves to Houston and becomes the image of Dick's fitness company.
• Marriage Revelation — Rebecca discovers Dick's marriage, then briefly returns to the relationship.
  • Dina Appears — A woman reveals that she is Dick's wife, prompting Rebecca to leave.
  • Reconciliation — After Dina files for divorce, Rebecca agrees to reconcile with Dick.
• Divorce and Abuse — Dick's obsession with the divorce case and his behavior destroy his relationship with Rebecca.
  • Liz Warns Rebecca — Liz calls Dick a liar and a sadist and advises Rebecca to leave.
  • Violent Breakup — After losing the case, Dick hits Rebecca and pressures her to have an abortion.
• Legal Pressure and Loss — Dick pursues Rebecca through a theft lawsuit and pressure over the pregnancy.
  • Furniture Lawsuit — Dick sues Rebecca for grand theft over furniture Liz helped her keep.
  • Refusing the Contract — Rebecca refuses to sign a contract denying Dick's paternity.
  • Miscarriage — Rebecca miscarries while working a shift at a local hospital.
• Attacks and Paralysis — Threats against Rebecca escalate into a shooting and a failed attempt to kill her.
  • Threat to Wes — Tom offers Wes money to get Rebecca out of town and warns of possible harm.
  • Shooting — Rebecca is shot while leaving for work and becomes paralyzed from the chest down.
  • Failed Injection — A woman posing as a nurse attempts to give Rebecca a lethal injection but fails.
• Recovery and Romance — Rebecca works toward recovery with Dr. Petrofsky and develops a supportive relationship with him.
  • Rehabilitation Work — Rebecca and Petrofsky collaborate on ideas to help paralyzed people walk.
  • A New Partnership — Rebecca and Petrofsky fall in love during their work together.
• Justice and Renewal — Dick is caught and tried while Rebecca regains mobility and embraces a new life.
  • Dick Is Caught — Police catch Dick attempting to flee the country, and he is put on trial.
  • Walking Again — Rebecca wins her case, receives over $28 million, and regains the ability to walk.
  • Marathon and Wedding — Rebecca walks in the marathon and later walks down the aisle to marry Petrofsky.

Directed by

William A. Graham

Key Cast

• Tim Matheson — Dick Strang
• Shannen Doherty — Rebecca Dubrovich
• Bonnie Bartlett — Stasha Dubrovich
• Steve Eastin — Wes Dubrovich
• David Bowe — Dr. Jerrold Petrofsky