A Bigger Splash
In A BIGGER SPLASH, the lives of a high profile couple, a famous rock star (Tilda Swinton) and a filmmaker (Matthias Schoenaerts), vacationing and recovering on the idyllic sun-drenched and remote Italian island of Pantelleria, are disrupted by the unexpected visit of an old friend (Ralph Fiennes) and his daughter (Dakota Johnson) - creating a whirlwind of jealousy, passion and, ultimately, danger for everyone involved.
The film earned $7.5M at the global box office.
4 wins & 19 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%)
A Bigger Splash (2015) showcases meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Luca Guadagnino's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 5 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Marianne Lane
Harry Hawkes
Paul De Smedt
Penelope Lannier
Main Cast & Characters
Marianne Lane
Played by Tilda Swinton
A famous rock star recovering from throat surgery who cannot speak, vacationing with her boyfriend on an Italian island.
Harry Hawkes
Played by Ralph Fiennes
Marianne's charismatic and intrusive ex-lover and former music producer who arrives unexpectedly with his daughter.
Paul De Smedt
Played by Matthias Schoenaerts
Marianne's quiet, reserved filmmaker boyfriend who becomes increasingly threatened by Harry's presence.
Penelope Lannier
Played by Dakota Johnson
Harry's seductive and mysterious young daughter who disrupts the group dynamics with her provocative behavior.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Marianne Lane and Paul De Smedt enjoy idyllic isolation on Pantelleria. She sunbathes topless by the pool in complete tranquility, recovering her voice in paradise with her filmmaker boyfriend.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Harry Hawkes calls - Marianne's ex-lover and former producer announces he's arriving on the island with his newly-discovered daughter Penelope. The peaceful isolation is shattered by this invasive force from Marianne's past.. 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 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Paul chooses to allow Harry and Penelope to stay at their villa rather than send them away. This decision actively invites chaos into their sanctuary and begins the irreversible psychological game., moving from reaction to action.
At 63 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Harry's famous dance sequence to "Emotional Rescue" - a false victory where he appears to be winning Marianne back and dominating the household. The seduction seems successful, but this peak of his power marks the beginning of his downfall., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 92 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Harry drowns in the pool. Paul pushes or allows him to drown during a confrontation. The literal death - the ultimate "whiff of death" - transforms everything. The paradise becomes a crime scene., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 100 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Marianne and Paul align completely in their cover-up story. They synthesize their need for each other with their complicity in Harry's death. The realization that they are now bound by this secret - for better or worse., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
A Bigger Splash's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping A Bigger Splash against these established plot points, we can identify how Luca Guadagnino utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish A Bigger Splash within the drama genre.
Luca Guadagnino's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Luca Guadagnino films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. A Bigger Splash represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Luca Guadagnino filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Luca Guadagnino analyses, see Call Me by Your Name, Melissa P. and I Am Love.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Marianne Lane and Paul De Smedt enjoy idyllic isolation on Pantelleria. She sunbathes topless by the pool in complete tranquility, recovering her voice in paradise with her filmmaker boyfriend.
Theme
Doctor advises Marianne about her vocal rest: "Silence is golden." The theme of communication, silence, and what cannot be expressed emerges - foreshadowing how repressed desires will explode.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Marianne and Paul's intimate relationship on the island. Marianne cannot speak due to throat surgery. They are isolated, sensual, peaceful. We learn of her rock star past, his documentary work, their age difference, and their escape from the world.
Disruption
Harry Hawkes calls - Marianne's ex-lover and former producer announces he's arriving on the island with his newly-discovered daughter Penelope. The peaceful isolation is shattered by this invasive force from Marianne's past.
Resistance
Paul resists Harry's arrival but feels powerless to refuse. Flashbacks reveal Marianne and Harry's passionate past relationship. Harry arrives with chaotic energy, immediately dominating the space. Paul debates whether to accept this intrusion or fight it.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Paul chooses to allow Harry and Penelope to stay at their villa rather than send them away. This decision actively invites chaos into their sanctuary and begins the irreversible psychological game.
Mirror World
Penelope's introduction as the thematic mirror - young, uninhibited, dangerous. She represents unrestrained desire and recklessness, reflecting what Marianne once was and what threatens to re-emerge.
Premise
The erotic and psychological game intensifies. Harry performs his seduction through storytelling, dancing, and overwhelming personality. Sexual tensions build between all four characters. Marianne is torn between past passion and present stability. Paul grows increasingly jealous and marginalized.
Midpoint
Harry's famous dance sequence to "Emotional Rescue" - a false victory where he appears to be winning Marianne back and dominating the household. The seduction seems successful, but this peak of his power marks the beginning of his downfall.
Opposition
Tensions escalate dangerously. Paul's jealousy intensifies. Penelope seduces Paul as revenge against her father. Harry becomes more aggressive and desperate. Marianne is caught between protecting her relationship and her inability to fully reject Harry. The island becomes a pressure cooker.
Collapse
Harry drowns in the pool. Paul pushes or allows him to drown during a confrontation. The literal death - the ultimate "whiff of death" - transforms everything. The paradise becomes a crime scene.
Crisis
The dark aftermath. Marianne and Paul cover up Harry's death, staging it as an accident. Police investigation begins. The emotional processing of what they've done - or allowed to happen - and the guilt, fear, and strange relief that follows.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Marianne and Paul align completely in their cover-up story. They synthesize their need for each other with their complicity in Harry's death. The realization that they are now bound by this secret - for better or worse.
Synthesis
The police investigation concludes Harry's death was accidental. Penelope leaves. The couple must face what they've become. They prepare to leave the island, their paradise now tainted. The relationship continues but transformed by guilt and complicity.
Transformation
Marianne and Paul at the airport, watching Penelope leave. They remain together but the final image shows them hollow, transformed by violence. The silence continues - but now it's the silence of guilt, not recovery. They escaped Harry but lost their innocence.