The Unborn (1991) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A hopeful fertility treatment becomes a terrifying struggle against suspected genetic manipulation and an unresolved pregnancy crisis.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Promise of Parenthood

Virginia and Brad seek help from the highly successful fertility specialist Dr. Meyerling. Despite Virginia's fears about inherited illness, Meyerling reassures her and begins the assisted conception procedure.

Key Events

• Janet Goes Into Labor — Janet Robinson unexpectedly goes into labor during the night. Characters: Janet Robinson Location: Unknown nighttime setting
• The Marshalls Seek Treatment — Virginia and Brad visit Meyerling after years of failed attempts to have a child. Characters: Virginia Marshall, Brad Marshall, Dr. Richard Meyerling Location: Dr. Meyerling's office
• Fear of Heredity — Virginia worries that mental illness or inherited problems could affect the baby. Characters: Virginia Marshall, Brad Marshall, Dr. Richard Meyerling Location: Dr. Meyerling's office
• Meyerling Gives Reassurance — Meyerling says there is no hereditary madness in Virginia's blood. Characters: Virginia Marshall, Dr. Richard Meyerling Location: Dr. Meyerling's office

Families Around the Procedure

The Marshalls remain connected to other couples associated with Meyerling's treatments. Virginia also meets Connie Chicago and continues writing a children's book about fear, evil, and death.

Key Events

• Assisted Conception Begins — The couple agrees to Meyerling's assisted conception procedure. Characters: Virginia Marshall, Brad Marshall, Dr. Richard Meyerling Location: Dr. Meyerling's medical facility
• Connected Fertility Couples — The Marshalls remain close to couples who benefited from Meyerling. Characters: Virginia Marshall, Brad Marshall, Jeff DeWitt, Alicia DeWitt Location: Social setting
• The DeWitt Children Discussed — Alicia DeWitt and the other DeWitt child are discussed within the connected families. Characters: Virginia Marshall, Brad Marshall, Jeff DeWitt, Alicia DeWitt Location: Social setting
• Virginia Meets Connie — Virginia meets pregnant Connie Chicago during the childbirth-class period. Characters: Virginia Marshall, Connie Chicago Location: Childbirth class

The Genetic Warning

Connie reveals that she distrusts Meyerling and suspects he is conducting genetic research. Her abnormal chromosome results and subsequent coma intensify Virginia's fear.

Key Events

• The Magic Window — Virginia works on a children's book about fear, evil, and death. Characters: Virginia Marshall Location: Virginia's writing space
• Connie Questions Meyerling — Connie tells Virginia that Meyerling may be a genetic researcher. Characters: Virginia Marshall, Connie Chicago, Dr. Richard Meyerling Location: Childbirth class
• Abnormal Test Results — Connie reports an abnormal chromosome count and plans further investigation. Characters: Connie Chicago, Virginia Marshall Location: Childbirth class
• Connie Falls Into Coma — Connie is found in a coma before she can meet Virginia again. Characters: Connie Chicago, Virginia Marshall Location: Unknown medical setting

A Pregnancy Turned Hostile

Virginia suffers frightening physical and psychological disturbances and becomes convinced that the fetus is not human. She blames Meyerling for changing the baby and secretly decides to terminate the pregnancy.

Key Events

• Virginia Experiences Disturbances — Virginia experiences terrifying physical and psychological disturbances. Characters: Virginia Marshall, Brad Marshall Location: The Marshalls' home
• The Fetus Feels Nonhuman — Virginia believes something inside her is growing and attacking her body. Characters: Virginia Marshall Location: The Marshalls' home
• Virginia Accuses Meyerling — Virginia says Meyerling changed the baby and that her body fights it like a disease. Characters: Virginia Marshall, Dr. Richard Meyerling Location: Virginia's home
• Secret Abortion Decision — Virginia decides the pregnancy must end without telling Brad beforehand. Characters: Virginia Marshall, Brad Marshall Location: The Marshalls' home

The Unresolved Intervention

A hospital refuses to perform the procedure because Virginia is too far along. She seeks an underground abortionist, but panic erupts when the instruments appear and the account ends without resolving the outcome.

Key Events

• Hospital Refuses Procedure — A hospital refuses because Virginia is too far along and recommends counseling. Characters: Virginia Marshall Location: Hospital
• Virginia Seeks Underground Help — Virginia turns to an underground abortionist after the hospital refusal. Characters: Virginia Marshall Location: Underground abortionist's facility
• Instruments Are Prepared — The abortionist begins preparing Virginia for the attempted intervention. Characters: Virginia Marshall Location: Underground abortionist's facility
• Virginia Panics — Virginia screams that women are being used and children are being changed. Characters: Virginia Marshall Location: Underground abortionist's facility

Story Breakdown

• Fertility Hope — Virginia and Brad pursue parenthood through Dr. Meyerling's successful fertility practice.
  • Failed Attempts — The Marshalls have spent years trying unsuccessfully to have a child.
  • Medical Reassurance — Meyerling dismisses Virginia's concern about hereditary madness.
• Experimental Conception — The couple accepts Meyerling's assisted conception procedure despite Virginia's anxiety.
  • Treatment Agreement — Virginia and Brad agree to undergo the fertility treatment.
  • Meyerling's Authority — The specialist controls the medical process and reassures his patients.
• Connected Families — The Marshalls remain close to families linked to Meyerling's earlier successes.
  • DeWitt Children — Alicia and the other DeWitt child are discussed among the connected families.
  • Janet's Perspective — Janet is identified as a supportive friend offering perspective on the treatment.
• Connie's Warning — Connie introduces information that transforms Virginia's confidence into suspicion.
  • Genetic Research — Connie believes Meyerling is more than an ordinary doctor.
  • Abnormal Chromosomes — Connie reports alarming test results and plans further investigation.
• Fearful Pregnancy — Virginia's physical and psychological experiences make her believe the pregnancy has been corrupted.
  • Hostile Fetus — Virginia feels that something inside her is growing and attacking her body.
  • Meyerling Blamed — Virginia says Meyerling changed the baby and made her body fight it.
• Desperate Termination — Virginia tries to end the pregnancy after institutional help is denied.
  • Hospital Refusal — The hospital refuses because Virginia is too far along and recommends counseling.
  • Underground Intervention — Virginia panics when an underground abortionist prepares medical instruments.

Directed by

Rodman Flender

Key Cast

• Brooke Adams — Virginia Marshall
• Jeff Hayenga — Brad Marshall
• James Karen — Dr. Richard Meyerling
• K Callan — Martha Wellington
• Jane Cameron — Beth Sanders