Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A teenage girl's journey to secure a second-trimester abortion with her cousin's help.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Pennsylvania Dilemma

Autumn discovers her pregnancy and receives misleading advice at a crisis center. After a failed attempt to self-induce a miscarriage, she confides in her cousin Skylar, who steals money so they can leave for New York.

Key Events

• Pregnancy Confirmation — Autumn takes a drugstore test that confirms she is pregnant. Characters: Autumn Location: Crisis Pregnancy Center
• Misleading Counseling — She is told she is 10 weeks along and shown an anti-abortion video. Characters: Autumn Location: Crisis Pregnancy Center
• Failed Self-Induction — She tries to induce a miscarriage by swallowing pills and punching herself in the stomach. Characters: Autumn Location: Home
• Confiding Skylar — She tells her cousin, Skylar, that she is pregnant. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: Grocery Store
• Stolen Funds — Skylar steals cash from the grocery store where they work. Characters: Skylar Location: Grocery Store

New York Realities

The journey to NYC introduces Jasper and forces the girls to navigate unfamiliar urban spaces. At the clinic, Autumn faces a shocking gestational update and financial shock that threatens their return trip.

Key Events

• Stolen Funds — Skylar steals cash from the grocery store where they work. Characters: Skylar Location: Grocery Store
• Bus Departure — The two buy bus tickets to New York City. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: Bus Station
• Meeting Jasper — On the bus they meet Jasper, a young man persistently interested in Skylar. Characters: Autumn, Skylar, Jasper Location: Bus
• Clinic Revelation — Autumn learns that the crisis pregnancy center lied to her and she is actually 18 weeks pregnant. Characters: Autumn Location: Planned Parenthood (Brooklyn)
• Subway Night — Autumn and Skylar spend an uncomfortable night riding the subway. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: NYC Subway
• Arcade Games — Autumn and Skylar spend an uncomfortable night playing games at an arcade. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: Arcade
• Procedure Warning — Autumn learns that a second-trimester abortion is a two-day procedure and that paying for it will take most of her funds. Characters: Autumn Location: Manhattan Clinic

Transaction and Trust

Desperation leads Skylar to accept Jasper's financial offer through a transactional arrangement. Autumn witnesses the compromise but offers silent comfort, highlighting their deep bond amid hardship.

Key Events

• Procedure Warning — Autumn learns that a second-trimester abortion is a two-day procedure and that paying for it will take most of her funds. Characters: Autumn Location: Manhattan Clinic
• Trauma Disclosure — The counselor asks questions about her sexual partners that reveal a history of abuse. Characters: Autumn Location: Manhattan Clinic
• Financial Desperation — Out of money, Skylar realizes the two have no way of going home. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: NYC Streets
• Jasper's Offer — Skylar reaches out to Jasper, who takes them bowling and to karaoke. Characters: Autumn, Skylar, Jasper Location: Bowling Alley
• Transactional Kiss — Skylar leaves with Jasper to find an ATM, and Autumn later goes looking for them. She finds them kissing. Characters: Skylar, Jasper, Autumn Location: ATM Street
• Comforting Touch — Realizing Skylar is only doing it for the loan, Autumn discreetly grabs Skylar's hand to comfort her. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: Street

Procedure and Return

Autumn undergoes the medical procedure and shares a quiet meal with Skylar afterward. The film concludes with a subdued bus ride home, emphasizing resilience and unspoken solidarity.

Key Events

• Comforting Touch — Realizing Skylar is only doing it for the loan, Autumn discreetly grabs Skylar's hand to comfort her. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: Street
• The Procedure — In the morning, Autumn goes to her appointment and has the abortion. Characters: Autumn Location: Manhattan Clinic
• Post-Procedure Meal — Autumn and Skylar go to a restaurant, where Skylar asks questions about the procedure. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: Restaurant
• Bus Ride Home — The two ride a bus back to Pennsylvania. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: Bus
• Quiet Resolution — Autumn answers tersely. The two ride a bus back to Pennsylvania. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: Bus

Story Breakdown

• Initial Crisis — Autumn discovers her pregnancy and faces systemic barriers at a crisis center.
  • Pregnancy Confirmation — Autumn takes a drugstore test that confirms she is pregnant.
  • Misleading Counseling — Staff provide false gestational information and anti-abortion materials.
  • Failed Self-Induction — Autumn attempts to induce a miscarriage through pills and physical trauma.
• Escape Plan — Skylar steps in to help Autumn escape their restrictive environment.
  • Confiding Skylar — Autumn reveals her pregnancy to her cousin after failed self-help attempts.
  • Stolen Funds — Skylar steals cash from their workplace to finance the trip.
  • Bus Departure — The cousins purchase tickets and leave Pennsylvania for New York.
• Journey to NYC — The girls navigate transit and unfamiliar urban spaces while meeting new contacts.
  • Bus Encounter — They meet Jasper, who shows persistent interest in Skylar.
  • Subway Night — Autumn and Skylar spend an uncomfortable night riding the subway.
  • Arcade Distraction — The girls pass time at an arcade to cope with travel fatigue.
• Clinic Revelation — Medical realities and financial constraints complicate the procedure timeline.
  • Gestational Update — Autumn learns she is actually 18 weeks pregnant, not 10.
  • Financial Shock — The two-day procedure will consume most of their stolen funds.
  • Trauma Disclosure — Counselor questions reveal a history of abusive sexual partners.
• Financial Desperation — Lack of funds forces Skylar to seek alternative financial support.
  • Jasper's Offer — Jasper takes them to bowling and karaoke to build rapport.
  • Transactional Loan — Skylar kisses Jasper to secure a loan for their bus tickets.
  • Silent Comfort — Autumn grabs Skylar's hand to acknowledge the transactional nature.
• Medical Procedure — Autumn undergoes the abortion and processes the experience with Skylar.
  • Pre-Procedure Prep — Autumn prepares for the two-day medical process at the clinic.
  • The Abortion — Autumn completes the medical appointment and undergoes the procedure.
  • Post-Procedure Meal — The cousins share a quiet restaurant meal and discuss the experience.
• Return Journey — The girls travel back to Pennsylvania, reflecting on their shared ordeal.
  • Bus Ride Home — Autumn and Skylar board a bus to return to Pennsylvania.
  • Quiet Resolution — Autumn answers Skylar's questions tersely, emphasizing emotional restraint.

Directed by

Eliza Hittman

Key Cast

• Sidney Flanigan — Autumn
• Talia Ryder — Skylar
• Théodore Pellerin — Jasper
• Ryan Eggold — Ted
• Sharon Van Etten — Mother