
Synopsis/Details
Ken Jackson was once the golden boy of Hollywood — a charming, award-winning actor adored by fans and feared by rivals. But after a series of career-destroying scandals, an inability to adapt to changing times, and suffering through addiction, Ken is broke, homeless, and unwelcome everywhere in Tinseltown. Out of options, he turns to the one person who might still care about him: his estranged son, Brian.
Brian Jackson is everything Ken is not — disciplined, principled, and a respected Hollywood attorney specializing in defending victims of entertainment industry exploitation. His sharp wit and moral compass make him a sought-after advocate for justice. Brian’s professional success stems from a deep-seated resentment of the world his father once thrived in, and he has worked hard to erase Ken’s shadow from his life.
Desperate and unapologetic, Ken sneaks into Brian's lavish Los Angeles home pool house, devising an elaborate scheme to stay undetected. He becomes a self-appointed "ghost roommate," scavenging leftovers, dodging security cameras, and even secretly helping himself to Brian’s wardrobe. But as Ken navigates this unusual new life, he unwittingly becomes involved in Brian’s cases — spying on clients, meddling in legal strategies, and sometimes, shockingly, offering helpful insights from his years in the business.
As Ken’s presence is revealed, the father and son are forced to confront their fractured relationship and what redemption looks like in a city built on facades.
Washed Up is a dark comedic drama that explores family, forgiveness, and the cost of living in a world where everyone is performing — even at home.
Story & Logistics
Story Type:
Rite of Passage
Story Situation:
Remorse
Linear Structure:
Non-linear
Moral Affections:
Guilt, Respect, Selfishness
Cast Size:
Several
Locations:
Single
Characters
Lead Role Ages:
Male over 45
Hero Type:
Ordinary
Villian Type:
Anti-Villian
Stock Character Types:
Everyman, Wise fool
Advanced
Life Topics:
Childhood, Mid-life Crisis/Middle Age
Drug Topics:
Illegal Drugs, Rehabilitation
Country:
United States of America (USA)
Time of Year:
Summer
Relationship Topics:
Abusive relationship, Child, Domestic, Family, Kinship, Sibling
Writer Style:
Harold Ramis, Joel and Ethan Coen, Judd Apatow