Poms (2019) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A terminally ill woman builds a senior cheerleading team whose shared determination transforms isolation, conflict, and loss into friendship and remembrance.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A New Life in Sun Springs

Martha moves to Sun Springs after deciding to stop further cancer treatment. Her difficult first encounter with community life leads her toward an unexpected friendship with Sheryl.

Key Events

• Martha Moves to Sun Springs — Martha leaves New York and enters Sun Springs after stopping further cancer treatment. Characters: Martha, Vicki Location: Sun Springs retirement community
• Community Club Rules — Vicki explains that every resident must belong to a community club. Characters: Martha, Vicki Location: Sun Springs
• The Noisy First Night — Martha calls Chief Carl after loud noise comes from Sheryl's house. Characters: Martha, Sheryl, Chief Carl Location: Martha's house
• Party Hides Next Door — Sheryl and her party hide in Martha's house to evade Carl. Characters: Martha, Sheryl, Chief Carl Location: Martha's house
• Martha Plans Her Funeral — A television program inspires Martha to plan fireworks for her own funeral. Characters: Martha Location: Martha's house

The Cheerleading Dream

Sheryl learns about Martha's abandoned cheerleading past and encourages her to try again. Together, they obtain permission, recruit members, and begin forming a senior squad.

Key Events

• Martha Plans Her Funeral — A television program inspires Martha to plan fireworks for her own funeral. Characters: Martha Location: Martha's house
• A Cheerleading Idea — Sheryl learns Martha once was a cheerleader and suggests she try again. Characters: Martha, Sheryl Location: Martha's house
• Club Permission Granted — Martha persuades Sheryl and Vicki to help establish a cheerleading club. Characters: Martha, Sheryl, Vicki Location: Sun Springs
• Senior Tryouts — Ruby, Alice, Helen, Evelyn, Phyllis, and Olive join after the tryouts. Characters: Martha, Sheryl, Ruby, Alice, Helen Location: Sun Springs
• Ben Joins as DJ — The squad hires Sheryl's teenage grandson Ben as its DJ. Characters: Martha, Sheryl, Ben Location: Sun Springs

Viral Failure

The squad struggles physically but earns a place at a high school pep rally. Helen's injury, a viral video, and Tom's lawsuit threat cause the community to shut the club down.

Key Events

• Difficult Practice Begins — The women struggle with practices because of their age and physical conditions. Characters: Martha, Sheryl, Ruby, Alice, Helen Location: Sun Springs
• Pep Rally Opportunity — After Vicki removes their practice place, Sheryl obtains a high school pep rally spot. Characters: Martha, Sheryl, Ben, Helen, Chloe Location: High school
• Younger Cheerleaders Mock Them — Younger cheerleaders, particularly Chloe, tease the senior squad before the rally. Characters: Martha, Sheryl, Helen, Chloe Location: High school locker room
• Helen Injures Her Ankle — The squad performs until Helen hurts her ankle during the pep rally. Characters: Martha, Sheryl, Ben, Helen Location: High school pep rally
• Video Goes Viral — At the hospital, Ben reveals that a video of the performance has gone viral. Characters: Martha, Sheryl, Ben, Helen, Tom Location: Hospital
• Club Disbanded — Tom threatens a lawsuit, and Vicki and residents vote unanimously to disband the club. Characters: Martha, Sheryl, Vicki, Helen, Tom Location: Sun Springs

Rebuilding the Team

Martha and Sheryl confront Chloe, but her apology reveals that she did not intend the harmful online attention. Chloe becomes the team's coach, helping the women reunite and improve.

Key Events

• Club Disbanded — Tom threatens a lawsuit, and Vicki and residents vote unanimously to disband the club. Characters: Martha, Sheryl, Vicki, Helen, Tom Location: Sun Springs
• Chloe Apologizes — Chloe explains that her friends posted the video, apologizes, and receives Martha and Sheryl's forgiveness. Characters: Martha, Sheryl, Chloe Location: Chloe's house
• The Squad Reassembles — Chloe becomes their coach, and Martha inspires the women to reunite and prove they can work together. Characters: Martha, Sheryl, Chloe, Ruby, Alice, Helen Location: Sun Springs
• Martha Reveals Her Fear — Martha's cancer progresses, she collapses, and she tells Sheryl she fears dying. Characters: Martha, Sheryl Location: Hospital

One Last Performance

Martha's illness worsens and she admits her fear of dying. The squad rescues Helen, reaches the competition, performs successfully, and later honors Martha through a cancer charity event.

Key Events

• Martha Reveals Her Fear — Martha's cancer progresses, she collapses, and she tells Sheryl she fears dying. Characters: Martha, Sheryl Location: Hospital
• Helen Is Rescued — The women spring Helen from her bedroom and escape toward the competition while Vicki pursues them. Characters: Martha, Sheryl, Helen, Vicki, Chief Carl Location: Sun Springs
• Final Competition Performance — The squad performs successfully, winning over the audience and competing teams. Characters: Martha, Sheryl, Ruby, Alice, Helen, Chief Carl Location: Cheerleading competition
• Fireworks Mark Martha's Funeral — A firework explodes, indicating that Martha has died and her funeral has taken place. Characters: Martha Location: Martha's funeral
• Charity Tribute Competition — One year later, the expanded squad prepares a cancer charity performance honoring Martha. Characters: Sheryl, Chloe, Ruby, Alice, Helen, Ben Location: Cheerleading competition

Story Breakdown

• Martha's Relocation — Martha enters Sun Springs while confronting illness, isolation, and the community's expectations.
  • Leaving New York — Martha stops further treatment and relocates to Sun Springs.
  • Community Rules — Vicki explains that every resident must join a club.
• Unexpected Friendship — A disruptive first meeting gradually develops into Martha and Sheryl's central friendship.
  • Noisy First Night — Martha calls Chief Carl because of Sheryl's loud party.
  • Shared Cheerleading Past — Sheryl learns Martha once planned to become a cheerleader.
• Building The Squad — Martha and Sheryl turn an abandoned dream into a community cheerleading club.
  • Seeking Permission — They persuade Vicki to approve the club and recruitment effort.
  • Founding Members — Six women join after tryouts, with Ben hired as DJ.
• Public Humiliation — The squad faces physical limitations, ridicule, injury, and institutional opposition.
  • Pep Rally Injury — Helen hurts her ankle during the group's first major performance.
  • Club Disbanded — A viral video and Tom's lawsuit threat lead to closure.
• Second Chance — Chloe's apology and coaching help the women recover their unity and improve their performance.
  • Chloe's Apology — Chloe explains the viral posting and asks to help.
  • Renewed Training — Martha inspires the women to reunite and work as a team.
• Final Courage — Martha's worsening illness raises the emotional stakes before the squad's final shared performance.
  • Rescuing Helen — The women free Helen and escape toward the competition.
  • Winning Tribute — The squad succeeds, Martha dies, and the team later honors her.

Directed by

Zara Hayes

Key Cast

• Diane Keaton — Martha
• Jacki Weaver — Sheryl
• Celia Weston — Vicki
• Alisha Boe — Chloe
• Charlie Tahan — Ben