diff --git a/src/main/java/org/example/videoclips/editing/HighlightFfmpegRenderer.java b/src/main/java/org/example/videoclips/editing/HighlightFfmpegRenderer.java
index f84069f..ec1538e 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/example/videoclips/editing/HighlightFfmpegRenderer.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/example/videoclips/editing/HighlightFfmpegRenderer.java
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import java.time.Instant;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.Comparator;
 import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Locale;
 import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.function.Function;
 import java.util.stream.Collectors;
@@ -92,7 +93,7 @@ public class HighlightFfmpegRenderer {
                     "segment", Integer.toString(index + 1),
                     "source_start", Double.toString(decision.sourceStartSeconds()),
                     "source_end", Double.toString(decision.sourceEndSeconds()));
-            run(segmentCommand(source.toString(), decision, output), commands);
+            run(segmentCommand(source.toString(), decision, plan.style(), output), commands);
             segments.add(output);
             log(projectId, highlight.highlightId(), "highlight_render_segment_completed",
                     "segment", Integer.toString(index + 1));
@@ -182,7 +183,7 @@ public class HighlightFfmpegRenderer {
         return List.copyOf(assets);
     }
 
-    List<String> segmentCommand(String source, EditDecision decision, Path output) {
+    List<String> segmentCommand(String source, EditDecision decision, String style, Path output) {
         double outputDuration = (decision.sourceEndSeconds() - decision.sourceStartSeconds()) / decision.playbackSpeed();
         StringBuilder filter = new StringBuilder();
         filter.append(dynamicCropFilter(decision.visualTreatment()));
@@ -191,7 +192,7 @@ public class HighlightFfmpegRenderer {
                 + "pad=%d:%d:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2,format=yuv420p".formatted(
                 properties.getOutputWidth(), properties.getOutputHeight()));
         filter.append(",setpts=PTS/").append(decision.playbackSpeed());
-        filter.append(cinematicVisualFilter(decision.visualTreatment()));
+        filter.append(cinematicVisualFilter(decision.visualTreatment(), style));
         double fadeDuration = Math.min(0.5, outputDuration / 2);
         if ("fade-in".equals(decision.transitionIn()) || "crossfade".equals(decision.transitionIn())) {
             filter.append(",fade=t=in:st=0:d=").append(fadeDuration);
@@ -518,12 +519,31 @@ public class HighlightFfmpegRenderer {
         return AssetLicensePolicy.read(asset).orElse(AssetLicensePolicy.UNTRACKED);
     }
 
-    private String cinematicVisualFilter(String visualTreatment) {
+    private String cinematicVisualFilter(String visualTreatment, String style) {
         if (visualTreatment == null || visualTreatment.isBlank() || "none".equalsIgnoreCase(visualTreatment)) {
             return "";
         }
-        // Deliberate filmic grade: S-curve contrast, teal shadows / warm highlights (cinematic
-        // "teal-orange"), gentle saturation and gamma lift, light sharpen, and a soft vignette.
+        // Beat-specific filmic grade. All variants share the teal-shadow / warm-highlight ("teal-orange")
+        // language but shift contrast, warmth and vignette to match the story beat encoded in the plan
+        // style key (safeKey: style_<category>_<storyPurpose>). Unknown/rising -> balanced base grade.
+        String beat = style == null ? "" : style.toLowerCase(Locale.ROOT);
+        if (beat.contains("opening")) {
+            // Opening hook: calmer, cooler, softer contrast to invite the viewer in.
+            return ",curves=preset=linear_contrast"
+                    + ",colorbalance=rs=-0.05:bs=0.08:rm=0.01:bm=-0.01:rh=0.03:bh=-0.03"
+                    + ",eq=contrast=1.08:saturation=1.08:gamma=0.98:brightness=-0.008"
+                    + ",unsharp=5:5:0.3:3:3:0.15"
+                    + ",vignette=PI/7";
+        }
+        if (beat.contains("hero")) {
+            // Hero payoff: richest grade, stronger S-curve, warmer highlights, deeper vignette.
+            return ",curves=preset=strong_contrast"
+                    + ",colorbalance=rs=-0.03:bs=0.05:rm=0.01:bm=-0.01:rh=0.09:bh=-0.07"
+                    + ",eq=contrast=1.16:saturation=1.16:gamma=0.96:brightness=-0.015"
+                    + ",unsharp=5:5:0.5:3:3:0.25"
+                    + ",vignette=PI/5.5";
+        }
+        // Rising energy / default: balanced base grade.
         return ",curves=preset=medium_contrast"
                 + ",colorbalance=rs=-0.04:bs=0.06:rm=0.01:bm=-0.01:rh=0.06:bh=-0.05"
                 + ",eq=contrast=1.12:saturation=1.12:gamma=0.97:brightness=-0.012"
diff --git a/src/test/java/org/example/videoclips/editing/HighlightFfmpegRendererTest.java b/src/test/java/org/example/videoclips/editing/HighlightFfmpegRendererTest.java
index 8c861b9..1fea838 100644
--- a/src/test/java/org/example/videoclips/editing/HighlightFfmpegRendererTest.java
+++ b/src/test/java/org/example/videoclips/editing/HighlightFfmpegRendererTest.java
@@ -76,6 +76,24 @@ class HighlightFfmpegRendererTest {
                 .contains("[voice_line_0][voice_line_1]amix=inputs=2:duration=longest"));
     }
 
+    @Test
+    void appliesBeatSpecificGradePerStoryPurpose() {
+        HighlightFfmpegRenderer renderer = renderer();
+        EditDecision decision = new EditDecision("clip", 0, 9, 0, 9, "cut", "cut", 1.0, "premium grade", "notes");
+
+        String opening = String.join(" ",
+                renderer.segmentCommand("s.mp4", decision, "style_generic_vlog_opening_hook", Path.of("o.mp4")));
+        String rising = String.join(" ",
+                renderer.segmentCommand("s.mp4", decision, "style_generic_vlog_rising_energy", Path.of("r.mp4")));
+        String hero = String.join(" ",
+                renderer.segmentCommand("s.mp4", decision, "style_generic_vlog_hero_payoff", Path.of("h.mp4")));
+
+        assertThat(opening).contains("curves=preset=linear_contrast").contains("vignette=PI/7");
+        assertThat(rising).contains("curves=preset=medium_contrast").contains("eq=contrast=1.12");
+        assertThat(hero).contains("curves=preset=strong_contrast").contains("eq=contrast=1.16");
+        assertThat(opening).isNotEqualTo(hero);
+    }
+
     @Test
     void stylesOverlaysWithSoftShadowAndAlphaFade() {
         HighlightFfmpegRenderer renderer = renderer();