The Automatic Hate 2016

In the midst of a tumultuous relationship with Cassie, Boston chef Davis Green finds his world turned upside down when a mysterious woman unexpectedly follows him home from the bar. This enigmatic figure introduces herself as Alexis Green, claiming to be his cousin—a revelation that sends shockwaves through Davis’ understanding of his family tree. This encounter leaves Davis feeling increasingly uneasy and uncertain, especially after Cassie witnesses their conversation and insists that Alexis leave.

In search of solace, Davis immerses himself in the world of behavioral psychology, attending a lecture by his father, Ronald Green, where he grapples with the age-old debate of nature versus nurture. However, his efforts to connect with his parents are met with resistance. Ronald dismissively declines Davis’s offer to cook for them, prompting him to delve into his father’s belongings, where he discovers a photograph hinting at the existence of a long-lost sibling.

Driven by curiosity, Davis decides to investigate further and follows Alexis’s cryptic clues to upstate New York. There, he meets her two sisters, who greet him with a blend of warmth and caution. As they explore their shared family history, Davis learns of the complicated relationships each sister has had with a local man, characterized by a prominent braided beard, which leads to a tense confrontation.

As tensions simmer, Davis becomes more entwined in Alexis’s life, staying the night and finding comfort in her presence. However, when Aunt Josh reveals knowledge of the family’s secrets, Davis is forced to confront the truth about his own identity. Amidst a whirlwind of emotions, he asks Alexis to take him into town, embarking on a journey that challenges everything he believed about himself and his role in the family.

During a heart-to-heart, Alexis confronts Davis about the true nature of his departure, probing him with insightful questions that hint at a mutual attraction. Taken aback, Davis reveals that Cassie’s recent confession of terminating their pregnancy has thrown him into turmoil. While acknowledging the undeniable chemistry with Alexis, he insists it isn’t the cause of his leaving. Nevertheless, Alexis’s persistence leads Davis to explore the mysterious hunting lodge, showcasing their mutual curiosity.

As they uncover family secrets, the bond between Davis and Alexis deepens as they stumble upon 16mm footage of their fathers with a young woman, eliciting mutual attraction. The moment is interrupted by Cassie’s arrival in New York with heartbreaking news: Davis’s grandfather has passed away.

In the aftermath, the trio gathers in Boston for a funeral fraught with emotional tension. Alexis and Cassie engage in power struggles, each vying for Davis’s attention. However, when Alexis tempts him with the thrill of secrecy, it triggers Davis’s anger, leading to a harsh confrontation.

A tense dinner follows, with everyone struggling to find common ground amidst their simmering conflicts. As they gather around the meal Davis has prepared, familial animosities momentarily fade as the men are encouraged to share a plate. But when Alexis reveals a bracelet discovered at her father’s lodge, it ignites another explosive confrontation, resulting in a brutal fistfight between Josh and Ronald.

After this clash, Davis seizes the moment to establish his dominance by punching Alexis, leaving her humiliated. Cassie exits Boston silently, leaving Davis, Josh, and Alexis to confront the aftermath of their revelations.

In the days that follow, Davis is pulled into Josh’s cycle of grief as they work together to lay their grandfather to rest. During their task, Josh discloses the tragic details of Rebecca, their sister who died under a shroud of guilt, further deepening the rift between the brothers as each blames the other for her death.

Ronald’s scathing evaluation of Josh’s family as “mentally ill” resonates with Davis, fostering a growing revulsion towards them. Yet, in a moment of clarity alone with Alexis, he reveals his feelings with a tender kiss before urging her to leave.

Meanwhile, Cassie patiently listens as Davis admits his feelings for her, accepting him back into their relationship without condition. As this turbulent narrative unfolds, Davis is left to ponder the complexities of loyalty and love, along with the devastating consequences that emerge when one dares to uncover deeply buried truths.