11-11-11
The successful American writer and atheist Joseph Crone participates in a support group to accept the death of his beloved wife Sarah and their son Diogo. Joe befriends Sadie in one of the meetings and she helps him when he has a car accident. When Joe's estranged religious brother Samuel Crone (Michael Landes) tells him that their father is terminal, he travels to Barcelona to stay near the death bed of his father. Joe has visions of demons and with the number 11 and he finds that something evil will happen with Samuel and him on 11 November 2011.
The film earned $7.0M at the global box office.
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%)
11-11-11 (2011) exhibits precise narrative design, characteristic of Darren Lynn Bousman's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 30 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Joseph Crone
Samuel Crone
Richard Crone
Sadie
Main Cast & Characters
Joseph Crone
Played by Timothy Gibbs
A grieving author who returns to his childhood home in Spain after losing his wife and son in a tragic accident.
Samuel Crone
Played by Michael Landes
Joseph's brother, a devout Catholic who believes in demonic possession and spiritual warfare.
Richard Crone
Played by Denis Rafter
Joseph and Samuel's dying father, a former minister confined to a wheelchair with a dark past.
Sadie
Played by Wendy Glenn
A mysterious woman who works at the Crone family estate and serves as caretaker for Richard.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Joseph Crone, a successful horror novelist, is introduced in a state of grief and guilt after losing his wife and son in a tragic accident. He is isolated, haunted, and unable to write.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Joseph receives an urgent call that his father is dying in Spain. He must return to confront his estranged family and his past, disrupting his isolated existence.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Joseph's father dies, but not before warning Joseph about the significance of 11-11-11. Joseph decides to stay and investigate the strange occurrences, actively choosing to enter the world of supernatural mystery rather than fleeing back to his isolated life., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Joseph discovers the horrifying truth: his son may have been chosen as a vessel for demonic entities, and the accident that killed his family was not random but part of a larger supernatural plan. False defeat—what he thought was a tragedy was actually something far more sinister., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 67 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Samuel is killed by the demonic forces, and Joseph realizes he has been manipulated all along. His brother, his last connection to family and faith, is dead. Joseph is alone and the gateway is opening. All hope seems lost., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Joseph realizes the truth about his role in the prophecy and accepts that he must face the demonic entities directly. He synthesizes his grief, guilt, and newfound understanding of the supernatural, choosing to confront the gateway at 11:11., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
11-11-11'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 11-11-11 against these established plot points, we can identify how Darren Lynn Bousman utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish 11-11-11 within the horror genre.
Darren Lynn Bousman's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Darren Lynn Bousman films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. 11-11-11 takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Darren Lynn Bousman filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye. For more Darren Lynn Bousman analyses, see Spiral: From the Book of Saw, Saw II and Saw III.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Joseph Crone, a successful horror novelist, is introduced in a state of grief and guilt after losing his wife and son in a tragic accident. He is isolated, haunted, and unable to write.
Theme
Joseph's brother Samuel, a priest, mentions that faith and belief can open doors to both salvation and damnation, establishing the film's exploration of faith versus skepticism.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Joseph's broken life in Barcelona, his estranged relationship with his religious father and brother, and the introduction of mysterious 11:11 sightings that plague him. The world of religious prophecy and demonic lore is introduced.
Disruption
Joseph receives an urgent call that his father is dying in Spain. He must return to confront his estranged family and his past, disrupting his isolated existence.
Resistance
Joseph reluctantly travels to Barcelona and reunites with his brother Samuel. He debates whether to engage with his family's religious worldview while experiencing increasingly disturbing 11:11 phenomena. He resists believing in the supernatural explanations.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Joseph's father dies, but not before warning Joseph about the significance of 11-11-11. Joseph decides to stay and investigate the strange occurrences, actively choosing to enter the world of supernatural mystery rather than fleeing back to his isolated life.
Mirror World
Joseph meets Sadie, a mysterious woman who lost her own child and shares his pain. She represents an alternative path of acceptance and faith, contrasting with Joseph's skepticism and guilt-driven isolation.
Premise
Joseph investigates the 11:11 phenomenon, discovering ancient prophecies about November 11, 2011 at 11:11. He experiences supernatural encounters, researches demonic gateways, and uncovers his family's connection to an apocalyptic event. The promise of a supernatural thriller is delivered.
Midpoint
Joseph discovers the horrifying truth: his son may have been chosen as a vessel for demonic entities, and the accident that killed his family was not random but part of a larger supernatural plan. False defeat—what he thought was a tragedy was actually something far more sinister.
Opposition
Demonic forces intensify their attacks on Joseph. His sanity is questioned. Samuel tries to perform religious interventions. Joseph's skepticism crumbles as undeniable supernatural events occur. The entities close in as 11-11-11 approaches, and Joseph realizes his family has been targeted for generations.
Collapse
Samuel is killed by the demonic forces, and Joseph realizes he has been manipulated all along. His brother, his last connection to family and faith, is dead. Joseph is alone and the gateway is opening. All hope seems lost.
Crisis
Joseph spirals into despair and terror as 11:11 approaches. He confronts his guilt over his family's death and his failure to protect his brother. He must decide whether to accept his fate or fight against forces beyond his understanding.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Joseph realizes the truth about his role in the prophecy and accepts that he must face the demonic entities directly. He synthesizes his grief, guilt, and newfound understanding of the supernatural, choosing to confront the gateway at 11:11.
Synthesis
The final confrontation occurs as the gateway opens on 11-11-11 at 11:11. Joseph battles the demonic forces and faces the horrifying revelation about his son's true nature. He must make an ultimate sacrifice to prevent the apocalypse or accept his family's dark destiny.
Transformation
Joseph's final choice is revealed with devastating consequences. The closing image shows whether he has transformed from skeptic to believer, from guilt-ridden to accepting, though the cost may be everything he has left. The horror of faith and fate converge.