A Madea Family Funeral
A joyous family reunion becomes a hilarious nightmare as Madea and the crew travel to backwoods Georgia, where they find themselves unexpectedly planning a funeral that might unveil unpleasant family secrets.
Despite a mid-range budget of $20.0M, A Madea Family Funeral became a solid performer, earning $74.7M worldwide—a 274% return.
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 Madea Family Funeral (2019) showcases meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Tyler Perry's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 49 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Madea
Brian
Vianne
Anthony
Sylvia
Joe
A.J.
Carol
Aunt Bam
Hattie
Main Cast & Characters
Madea
Played by Tyler Perry
A tough-talking, no-nonsense elderly matriarch who keeps the family in line with her sharp wit and street wisdom.
Brian
Played by Tyler Perry
Madea's soft-spoken nephew, a lawyer who serves as the voice of reason and moral compass for the family.
Vianne
Played by Jen Harper
A sophisticated woman struggling to maintain her marriage while dealing with her husband's infidelity.
Anthony
Played by Derek Morgan
Vianne's husband who is having an affair, representing moral weakness and deception within the family.
Sylvia
Played by Ciera Payton
A married woman involved in an affair with Anthony, causing chaos and heartbreak in the family.
Joe
Played by Tyler Perry
Madea's crude, outspoken brother who provides comic relief with his inappropriate comments and behavior.
A.J.
Played by Courtney Burrel
A young man trying to navigate family drama while maintaining his relationship and dealing with extended family chaos.
Carol
Played by KJ Smith
A.J.'s girlfriend who gets swept up in the family's dysfunction during what should be a celebratory anniversary.
Aunt Bam
Played by Cassi Davis
A lovable, dim-witted family member who provides comedic moments with her innocent misunderstandings.
Hattie
Played by Patrice Lovely
An elderly family member who offers wisdom and support while observing the family's conflicts.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Madea, Joe, Bam, and Hattie prepare to drive to Georgia for Anthony and Vianne's anniversary party, establishing the family dynamics and comedic tone.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Anthony dies suddenly during a sexual encounter with Vianne's daughter Gia. The family discovers him dead, turning the anniversary celebration into a funeral crisis.. 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to The family collectively decides to hide the truth about Anthony's death and affair, choosing deception over honesty. They commit to maintaining the lie through the funeral., moving from reaction to action.
At 55 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat More affairs are revealed: multiple family members have been unfaithful. The web of lies becomes increasingly complex and unstable, raising the stakes for the inevitable exposure., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 82 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, During the funeral service, the truth explosively comes out. All the affairs and secrets are exposed in front of the entire family and community, devastating everyone, especially Vianne., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Madea delivers wisdom about forgiveness, honesty, and family bonds. The family realizes that healing requires truth and forgiveness, not more lies. They choose to face reality together., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
A Madea Family Funeral's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping A Madea Family Funeral against these established plot points, we can identify how Tyler Perry utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish A Madea Family Funeral within the comedy genre.
Tyler Perry's Structural Approach
Among the 18 Tyler Perry films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. A Madea Family Funeral represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Tyler Perry filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Tyler Perry analyses, see For Colored Girls, A Madea Christmas and Boo 2! A Madea Halloween.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Madea, Joe, Bam, and Hattie prepare to drive to Georgia for Anthony and Vianne's anniversary party, establishing the family dynamics and comedic tone.
Theme
Madea warns about family secrets and lies: "What's done in the dark will come to the light." Foreshadows the revelation that will tear the family apart.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the extended family gathering in Georgia: the anniversary couple Anthony and Vianne, their children, and various relatives. Establishes relationship tensions and the facade of family harmony.
Disruption
Anthony dies suddenly during a sexual encounter with Vianne's daughter Gia. The family discovers him dead, turning the anniversary celebration into a funeral crisis.
Resistance
The family struggles with how to handle Anthony's death and the shocking secret of his affair with Gia. Debate over whether to reveal the truth or protect the family's image.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The family collectively decides to hide the truth about Anthony's death and affair, choosing deception over honesty. They commit to maintaining the lie through the funeral.
Mirror World
Sylvia and Will's struggling marriage becomes prominent, mirroring the theme of secrets and dishonesty. Their relationship serves as the emotional heart exploring whether honesty can save love.
Premise
Comedic funeral preparations ensue as the family attempts to maintain the elaborate lie. Madea and Joe provide comic relief while deeper secrets and affairs among family members continue to surface.
Midpoint
More affairs are revealed: multiple family members have been unfaithful. The web of lies becomes increasingly complex and unstable, raising the stakes for the inevitable exposure.
Opposition
Pressure mounts as the funeral approaches. Family members struggle to maintain their lies while relationships deteriorate. Vianne grows suspicious, and the truth threatens to emerge at any moment.
Collapse
During the funeral service, the truth explosively comes out. All the affairs and secrets are exposed in front of the entire family and community, devastating everyone, especially Vianne.
Crisis
The family falls apart in the aftermath. Marriages crumble, relationships shatter, and everyone confronts the pain of betrayal. The darkest moment as they face the consequences of their deception.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Madea delivers wisdom about forgiveness, honesty, and family bonds. The family realizes that healing requires truth and forgiveness, not more lies. They choose to face reality together.
Synthesis
Family members begin the difficult work of forgiveness and reconciliation. Sylvia and Will honestly confront their marriage issues. The family supports Vianne through her grief and chooses healing over judgment.
Transformation
The family gathers together, bruised but honest, choosing love and forgiveness over perfection. They're broken but authentic, demonstrating that truth and family bonds can survive even devastating secrets.