House IV (1992) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Kelly's attachment to her family home becomes entangled with grief, strange events, and an unresolved conflict over the property.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The House and Its Claim

Roger restores the family house and rejects Burke's repeated efforts to make him sell. Kelly and Laurel visit, and Roger's attachment to the property is framed as a promise to his father and a defense of his roots.

Key Events

• Roger Restores the House — Roger carefully restores the old family house and its furnishings. Characters: Roger Cobb Location: Cobb family house
• Burke Urges a Sale — Burke repeatedly urges Roger to sell the property, but Roger refuses. Characters: Roger Cobb, Burke Location: Cobb family house
• Roger Defends His Roots — Roger says he promised his father to protect the house and cannot price his roots. Characters: Roger Cobb, Burke Location: Cobb family house
• Kelly and Laurel Visit — Kelly and Laurel visit the house; Laurel asks to take a toy animal home. Characters: Kelly Cobb, Laurel Cobb Location: Cobb family house
• Kelly Refuses the Toy — Kelly refuses Laurel's request to take the toy animal home. Characters: Kelly Cobb, Laurel Cobb Location: Cobb family house

Loss and Return

After Roger's death and Laurel's injury, Kelly moves into the house with her daughter. A family member urges Kelly to accept Roger's death, but she insists the house is now her home.

Key Events

• Ezra Visits — Ezra visits, but the plot gives little detail about his purpose or conversation. Characters: Ezra Location: Cobb family house
• Roger Has Died — The story later establishes that Roger has died; the supplied plot does not detail the death scene. Characters: Roger Cobb, Kelly Cobb Location: Not specified
• Laurel Is Injured — Laurel has been injured and is using a wheelchair; Kelly later accuses Burke of pushing her down the stairs. Characters: Laurel Cobb, Kelly Cobb Location: Staircase
• Kelly Moves Home — Kelly moves into the house with Laurel and considers it their home. Characters: Kelly Cobb, Laurel Cobb Location: Cobb family house

Unease Beneath the House

Verna arrives unexpectedly, and Kelly experiences noises and plumbing signs that others cannot confirm. Burke continues to press for a sale while Kelly tries to care for Laurel and settle in.

Key Events

• A Family Member Urges Acceptance — Kelly's father worries she is clinging to the past and urges her to accept Roger's death. Characters: Kelly Cobb Location: Cobb family house
• Verna Arrives Unexpectedly — Verna claims an agency sent her as housekeeper, though Kelly does not recall hiring her. Characters: Kelly Cobb, Verna Klump Location: Cobb family house
• Unsettling House Signs — Kelly hears unsettling noises and reports strange material from the plumbing, but a plumber finds none. Characters: Kelly Cobb Location: Cobb family house
• Burke Presses Kelly — Burke argues that selling would provide for Laurel and says he wants the property for his plans. Characters: Kelly Cobb, Burke Location: Cobb family house

The Spring and the Accusation

A woman connects the house to a sealed sacred spring and says Roger's spirit is trapped. Kelly withdraws her conditional offer to Burke, accuses him over Laurel's injury and Roger's death, and orders him out.

Key Events

• The Spring's History — A woman explains that a sacred spring beneath the house sheltered spirits and that Roger's spirit cannot rest. Characters: Kelly Cobb, Roger Cobb Location: Cobb family house
• Kelly Withdraws the Sale — Kelly withdraws her conditional agreement after Burke claims they already made a deal. Characters: Kelly Cobb, Burke Location: Cobb family house
• Kelly Accuses Burke — Kelly accuses Burke over Laurel's fall and Roger's death; Burke denies responsibility, and she orders him out. Characters: Kelly Cobb, Burke Location: Cobb family house

Story Breakdown

• Roger Protects Home — Roger treats the house as a family inheritance that cannot be reduced to a sale.
  • Restoring Furnishings — Roger carefully restores the old house and its furnishings.
  • Rejecting Burke's Offer — Roger refuses Burke's repeated attempts to persuade him to sell.
• Family Visits — Kelly and Laurel visit the house while Roger's connection to it is established.
  • Laurel's Toy Request — Laurel asks to take a toy animal home.
  • Kelly Says No — Kelly refuses Laurel's request.
• Loss and Injury — Roger's death and Laurel's injury reshape Kelly's life.
  • Roger's Death — The plot establishes that Roger has died without detailing the death scene.
  • Laurel Uses Wheelchair — Laurel is injured and later uses a wheelchair.
• Kelly Claims Home — Kelly brings Laurel to the house and resists pressure to leave the past behind.
  • Moving Into House — Kelly moves into the house with Laurel.
  • Grief Disputed — Kelly's father urges her to accept Roger's death, while she calls the house her home.
• Strange House Signs — Unexplained events disturb Kelly as she tries to care for Laurel.
  • Verna Arrives — Verna claims an agency sent her as housekeeper, though Kelly does not recall hiring her.
  • Plumbing Anomaly — Kelly reports strange material from the plumbing, but a plumber finds none.
• Burke Seeks Property — Burke presents a sale as help for Laurel while pursuing the house for his plans.
  • Financial Argument — Burke argues that selling would provide money for Laurel's future.
  • Conditional Offer — Kelly agrees only if Burke will not demolish the house and will let her visit.
• Spring and Spirits — A woman explains the house's connection to a sealed sacred spring and Roger's unrest.
  • Sealed Sacred Spring — The house stands over a spring said to have sheltered spirits.
  • Roger Cannot Rest — The woman says Roger's spirit is trapped because he died at another person's hands.
• Final House Dispute — Kelly withdraws the sale and confronts Burke, leaving their conflict unresolved.
  • Kelly Withdraws Agreement — Kelly rejects the deal after Burke claims they already made it.
  • Burke Ordered Out — Kelly accuses Burke over Laurel's fall and Roger's death, then orders him out.

Directed by

Lewis Abernathy

Key Cast

• Terri Treas — Kelly Cobb
• William Katt — Roger Cobb
• Scott Burkholder — Burke
• Denny Dillon — Verna Klump
• Melissa Clayton — Laurel Cobb