10 Things I Hate About You
On the first day at his new school, Cameron instantly falls for Bianca, the gorgeous girl of his dreams. The only problem is that Bianca is forbidden to date until her ill-tempered, completely un-dateable older sister Kat goes out, too. In an attempt to solve his problem, Cameron singles out the only guy who could possibly be a match for Kat: a mysterious bad boy with a nasty reputation of his own.
Despite a respectable budget of $16.0M, 10 Things I Hate About You became a commercial success, earning $53.5M worldwide—a 234% return.
2 wins & 13 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
10 Things I Hate About You (1999) demonstrates deliberately positioned dramatic framework, characteristic of Gil Junger's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 37 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Kat Stratford
Patrick Verona
Bianca Stratford
Cameron James
Michael Eckman
Joey Donner
Walter Stratford
Main Cast & Characters
Kat Stratford
Played by Julia Stiles
Fiercely independent and abrasive feminist who refuses to conform to social expectations.
Patrick Verona
Played by Heath Ledger
Mysterious bad boy with a reputation who is hired to date Kat.
Bianca Stratford
Played by Larisa Oleynik
Popular and shallow younger sister who desperately wants to date.
Cameron James
Played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt
New student who falls for Bianca and orchestrates the plan to have Patrick date Kat.
Michael Eckman
Played by David Krumholtz
Cameron's cynical friend who helps devise the dating scheme.
Joey Donner
Played by Andrew Keegan
Shallow, self-absorbed model who wants to date Bianca for superficial reasons.
Walter Stratford
Played by Larry Miller
Overprotective obstetrician father with strict dating rules for his daughters.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Cameron arrives at Padua High, establishing the high school social hierarchy. Kat Stratford drives recklessly into the parking lot, alienating herself from the popular crowd with her aggressive independence and feminist attitude.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Cameron learns about the dating rule from Bianca herself. His dream of dating Bianca seems impossible as long as the antisocial Kat refuses to date anyone. The obstacle becomes clear.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Patrick accepts the challenge to pursue Kat for money. He actively chooses to enter this world of romantic manipulation, launching the primary plot into motion. The con is on., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Kat and Patrick go to the party together. They share genuine moments on the swing set, dance together, and Kat begins to open up emotionally. This appears to be a victory - both couples seem to be working out - but it's false because Patrick is still being paid., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 72 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, At the prom, Kat overhears about Patrick being paid to date her. Her trust and emotional vulnerability die in this moment. She confronts Patrick with tears, and her walls slam back up harder than ever. The relationship appears destroyed., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Patrick uses his money from Joey to buy Kat a guitar - the thing she wanted most. This synthesis shows he understands what matters to her. He learned from their relationship how to be authentic rather than transactional. He's ready for genuine connection., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
10 Things I Hate About You's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping 10 Things I Hate About You against these established plot points, we can identify how Gil Junger utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish 10 Things I Hate About You within the comedy genre.
Gil Junger's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Gil Junger films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.5, reflecting strong command of classical structure. 10 Things I Hate About You represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Gil Junger filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Gil Junger analyses, see Black Knight.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Cameron arrives at Padua High, establishing the high school social hierarchy. Kat Stratford drives recklessly into the parking lot, alienating herself from the popular crowd with her aggressive independence and feminist attitude.
Theme
Michael tells Cameron, "Don't let anyone ever make you feel like you don't deserve what you want." The theme about authenticity versus performance, and deserving love for who you truly are, is stated.
Worldbuilding
Cameron falls for Bianca but learns about the Stratford family rule: Bianca can't date until her older sister Kat dates. We meet the key players - Joey wants Bianca, Kat is unapproachable, Mr. Stratford is overprotective, and Cameron is a romantic outsider.
Disruption
Cameron learns about the dating rule from Bianca herself. His dream of dating Bianca seems impossible as long as the antisocial Kat refuses to date anyone. The obstacle becomes clear.
Resistance
Michael and Cameron debate how to solve the Kat problem. Joey proposes hiring someone to date Kat. They consider candidates and settle on Patrick Verona, the school's mysterious bad boy. Joey agrees to pay Patrick to take Kat out.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Patrick accepts the challenge to pursue Kat for money. He actively chooses to enter this world of romantic manipulation, launching the primary plot into motion. The con is on.
Mirror World
Patrick's first real interaction with Kat in the guidance counselor's office. Their verbal sparring reveals attraction beneath the hostility. This relationship will carry the film's theme about dropping defenses and being authentic.
Premise
The fun and games of Patrick pursuing Kat through elaborate schemes: singing to her in the bleachers, the paintball date, getting her out of detention. Meanwhile, Cameron tutors Bianca while competing with Joey. The premise delivers on romantic comedy expectations.
Midpoint
Kat and Patrick go to the party together. They share genuine moments on the swing set, dance together, and Kat begins to open up emotionally. This appears to be a victory - both couples seem to be working out - but it's false because Patrick is still being paid.
Opposition
Kat's walls come down as she falls for Patrick. Patrick develops real feelings and guilt about the money. Bianca starts seeing through Joey's shallow act. The relationships deepen but the lies become more dangerous. Pressure builds toward inevitable exposure.
Collapse
At the prom, Kat overhears about Patrick being paid to date her. Her trust and emotional vulnerability die in this moment. She confronts Patrick with tears, and her walls slam back up harder than ever. The relationship appears destroyed.
Crisis
Kat processes her heartbreak. Patrick realizes what he's lost. Both characters sit in the darkness of their own making - Kat's defensive walls and Patrick's mercenary approach to relationships. The emotional fallout spreads to other characters too.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Patrick uses his money from Joey to buy Kat a guitar - the thing she wanted most. This synthesis shows he understands what matters to her. He learned from their relationship how to be authentic rather than transactional. He's ready for genuine connection.
Synthesis
Kat reads her poem "10 Things I Hate About You" in class, revealing her transformed vulnerability. Patrick gives her the guitar. Bianca stands up to Joey and punches him, choosing authenticity over popularity. Cameron and Bianca get together honestly. All relationships resolve.
Transformation
Kat and Patrick kiss in the parking lot where she once drove recklessly and alone. Now she's emotionally open, vulnerable, and connected. The same setting shows how transformed she is - from defensive isolation to authentic intimacy.