Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Autumn and Skylar navigate a difficult journey to obtain an abortion, relying on each other as misinformation, cost, and personal vulnerability shape the trip.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Test and a Dead End

Autumn confirms her pregnancy at a crisis pregnancy center and is given misleading information about how far along she is. After learning that parental consent is required in Pennsylvania, she attempts to induce a miscarriage before confiding in Skylar.

Key Events

• Pregnancy Suspected — Seventeen-year-old Autumn suspects she is pregnant. Characters: Autumn Location: Pennsylvania
• Crisis Pregnancy Center — Autumn takes a test at the center, which confirms the pregnancy. Characters: Autumn Location: Crisis pregnancy center
• False Dating Information — The center tells Autumn she is ten weeks pregnant and shows her an anti-abortion video. Characters: Autumn Location: Crisis pregnancy center
• Consent Barrier — Autumn learns she cannot get an abortion in Pennsylvania without parental consent. Characters: Autumn Location: Pennsylvania
• Failed Self-Induction — Autumn swallows pills and punches herself in an attempt to induce a miscarriage. Characters: Autumn Location: Pennsylvania
• Skylar Learns the Truth — After her attempts fail, Autumn tells her cousin Skylar she is pregnant. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: Pennsylvania

The Road to New York

Skylar takes cash from the grocery store, and the cousins travel to New York. On the bus, they meet Jasper, who pursues Skylar despite her attempts to dismiss him.

Key Events

• Money for the Journey — Skylar steals cash from the grocery store where they work. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: Grocery store
• Bus Tickets to New York — The cousins buy tickets and leave Pennsylvania for New York City. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: Bus station
• Jasper Pursues Skylar — They meet Jasper, who persistently shows interest in Skylar despite her dismissive responses. Characters: Autumn, Skylar, Jasper Location: Bus

The Truth and the Wait

At a Brooklyn clinic, Autumn learns she is eighteen weeks pregnant and must go to a Manhattan clinic. During the wait and subsequent appointment, she learns the procedure's cost and duration, and questions reveal the abuse she has experienced.

Key Events

• Brooklyn Clinic — Autumn visits a Planned Parenthood clinic with Skylar. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: Planned Parenthood clinic, Brooklyn
• Pregnancy Dating Corrected — Autumn learns the center's estimate was false and she is actually eighteen weeks pregnant. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: Planned Parenthood clinic, Brooklyn
• Manhattan Appointment Set — Autumn is told she can still get an abortion but must go to a Manhattan clinic the next morning. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: Planned Parenthood clinic, Brooklyn
• Night on the Subway — The cousins spend an uncomfortable night riding the subway. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: New York City subway
• Arcade Games — Autumn and Skylar play games at an arcade during their difficult night in the city. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: Arcade
• Two-Day Procedure Explained — Autumn learns the second-trimester abortion requires two days and will consume most of her money. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: Manhattan clinic
• Abuse Revealed — Questions about sexual partners reveal Autumn's history of physically and sexually abusive partners. Characters: Autumn Location: Manhattan clinic

A Loan and a Return

Short on money, the cousins spend an evening with Jasper, who agrees to lend them their bus fare. Autumn comforts Skylar after seeing her kiss Jasper, then has the abortion; the cousins eat together and travel back to Pennsylvania.

Key Events

• Return Fare Problem — With most of their money needed for the procedure, Skylar realizes they cannot afford to go home. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: New York City
• A Night with Jasper — Skylar contacts Jasper, who takes the cousins bowling and to karaoke. Characters: Autumn, Skylar, Jasper Location: Bowling alley and karaoke venue
• Fare Loan Agreed — Skylar asks Jasper for money for their bus tickets, and he agrees to lend it. Characters: Autumn, Skylar, Jasper Location: New York City
• Quiet Comfort — Autumn finds Skylar kissing Jasper and discreetly takes Skylar's hand to comfort her. Characters: Autumn, Skylar, Jasper Location: New York City
• Abortion Procedure — Autumn returns to her appointment and has the abortion. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: Manhattan clinic
• Questions at the Restaurant — Skylar asks Autumn about the procedure, and Autumn answers tersely. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: Restaurant
• Return to Pennsylvania — Autumn and Skylar ride a bus back to Pennsylvania. Characters: Autumn, Skylar Location: Bus

Story Breakdown

• Pregnancy Discovery — Autumn confirms her pregnancy and encounters misleading information at a crisis pregnancy center.
  • Positive Test — A drugstore test at the center confirms Autumn is pregnant.
  • False Estimate — The center tells Autumn she is ten weeks along.
• Pennsylvania Barrier — The parental-consent requirement blocks Autumn from getting an abortion in Pennsylvania.
  • Consent Required — Autumn learns she cannot obtain an abortion there without parental consent.
  • Failed Attempt — She tries to induce a miscarriage by taking pills and punching herself.
• Cousins Choose Flight — Autumn tells Skylar the truth, and they make plans to travel to New York.
  • Secret Confession — Autumn tells her cousin she is pregnant.
  • Stolen Fare — Skylar takes cash from their workplace to fund the journey.
• New York Journey — The cousins travel by bus and meet Jasper, who takes an interest in Skylar.
  • Bus Departure — Autumn and Skylar buy tickets and leave Pennsylvania.
  • Jasper's Pursuit — Jasper persistently approaches Skylar on the bus.
• Clinic Revelations — Clinic visits correct the pregnancy timeline and establish the procedure's demands.
  • Eighteen Weeks — A Brooklyn clinic tells Autumn she is farther along than the crisis center claimed.
  • Two-Day Procedure — A Manhattan clinic explains the procedure's duration and cost.
• Night Without Money — The cousins face a difficult night in the city and a shortage of money for their return.
  • Subway and Arcade — They spend the night riding the subway and playing arcade games.
  • Return Fare Missing — The procedure leaves them without enough money to go home.
• Jasper's Help — Jasper provides a temporary solution to the cousins' financial problem.
  • Bowling and Karaoke — Jasper takes Autumn and Skylar out for the evening.
  • Bus Fare Loan — Jasper agrees to lend Skylar money for their tickets home.
• Procedure and Homecoming — Autumn has the abortion, and the cousins begin their journey back to Pennsylvania.
  • Quiet Reassurance — Autumn comforts Skylar after finding her kissing Jasper.
  • Return by Bus — After a brief conversation over a meal, Autumn and Skylar travel home.

Directed by

Eliza Hittman

Key Cast

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