JEB

• Background: Jeb is a weathered, toughened man shaped by the harsh realities of frontier life. A widower, he's been solely responsible for his daughter Ada since her mother's death. Jeb's past is marred with struggles and hard labor, leaving him with a sense of bitterness and longing for a better life.

• Personality: Jeb is a complex character, exhibiting a gritty exterior while harboring a deep, albeit misguided, love for Ada. His love is juxtaposed with a growing obsession for wealth and a better future, leading to his moral downfall. Jeb's character arc is a journey from a desperate but caring father to a tragically flawed figure, consumed by greed and delusion.

• Role in Story: Jeb is the protagonist whose decisions drive the narrative. His transformation under the influence of the cursed gem is central to the film's horror and tragic elements. Jeb's actions and ultimate fate serve as a cautionary tale about the corrupting power of obsession and the devastating impact of greed.

  Adeline (Ada)

• Background: Ada, Jeb's non-verbal autistic daughter, is a young girl living in a world of her own. Since her mother's passing, Ada's connection with the world has been primarily through her father, Jeb. Her condition makes her highly sensitive yet perceptive to the changes in her father and their environment.

• Personality: Ada is portrayed as innocent and vulnerable, evoking empathy and a protective instinct in the audience. Her silence and expressive demeanor provide a stark contrast to the film's escalating tension and horror. Ada's presence and reactions offer a poignant commentary on the unfolding events, making her a central emotional anchor in the story.

• Role in Story: Ada is the emotional heart of "Dreadstone." Her tragic fate is the climax of the film, serving as a powerful testament to the destructive nature of Jeb's obsession. Ada's character challenges the audience to reflect on innocence and victimhood in the face of overwhelming darkness.

  The Cursed Gem

• Background: The gem, while not a character in the traditional sense, plays a pivotal role in the story. Its origins are shrouded in mystery, adding to its allure and the sense of foreboding surrounding it.

• Personality: The gem is characterized by its eerie, almost sentient presence. It symbolizes temptation and the corrupting influence of greed. The gem's ability to seemingly communicate with Jeb and influence his actions adds a supernatural and psychological horror element to the story.

• Role in Story: The gem is the catalyst for the entire narrative. It not only drives Jeb's actions but also serves as a physical representation of his inner demons and the lure of easy wealth. The gem's impact on Jeb and Ada's journey, culminating in the tragic climax, underscores the film's themes of greed, obsession, and the supernatural.

THEMES

Human Greed and Alien Mysteries

"Dreadstone:The Beginning" combines human greed with the mysteries of an alien entity, symbolized by the gem and the mountain. This theme explores the unintended consequences of humanity's relentless pursuit of wealth, which awakens unknown, powerful forces.

Alienation and Transformation

The alien nature of the gem metaphorically represents Jeb's alienation from humanity and his moral transformation. This theme highlights the dangers of disturbing dormant forces and the alienation resulting from obsessive pursuits.

Cosmic Horror and Human Fragility

The revelation of the gem's alien origins introduces cosmic horror, emphasizing human fragility and insignificance in the vast cosmos. Jeb's story becomes a metaphor for humanity's vulnerability to ancient, incomprehensible powers.

Irony of the Gold Rush

The awakening of the alien entity during the gold rush era underscores the irony of human ambition. The quest for riches leads to catastrophic consequences, highlighting the irony in humanity's pursuit of material wealth.

Nature vs. Otherworldly Influence

The film blurs the lines between natural and otherworldly influences, creating a complex narrative that questions the source of the gem's power and Jeb's ensuing obsession.

Convergence of Past and Future

The final drone shot revealing the crater links humanity's historical endeavors with the cosmic scale, suggesting a future shaped by encounters with the unknown and the past's ripple effects.

SETTINGS

"Dreadstone:The Beginning" unfolds against the stark, unforgiving landscape of the Western frontier. This setting is a character in itself, reflecting the thematic undercurrents of the film. The desolate vistas, rugged terrain, and abandoned mining sites create an atmosphere of isolation and foreboding. The setting plays a crucial role in accentuating the narrative's tension and the characters' psychological states.

Desert and Wilderness

The vast open deserts and untamed wilderness are symbolic of Jeb's internal struggle and the vastness of his ambition. The barren landscapes also reflect the isolation and vulnerability of Jeb and Ada.

Mining Sites

The gold rush-era mining sites, where Jeb finds the cursed gem, add historical context and a sense of eerie timelessness. These abandoned locations serve as a visual metaphor for the dangers of delving into the unknown and unearthing forbidden secrets.

Cave and Mountain Crater

The cave, especially in the film's climax, and the revelation of the mountain as a crater, are pivotal. These elements introduce a sense of otherworldly horror, blending the Western setting with sci-fi elements, symbolizing the depth of Jeb's obsession and the alien origin of the gem.