Amityville 3-D
Convinced that the horrible rumours about the bloody DeFeo murders and the evil Amityville House are nothing but an elaborate hoax, the inquisitive Reveal Magazine journalist, John Baxter, decides to buy it as an investment. Now, as troubling supernatural incidents and death stain the new residence, John stubbornly insists to remain apathetic, even after yet another tragedy sends his ex-wife, Nancy, one step before madness. However, an ancient evil lies at the root of the problem. What is the dark secret of the most horrific house on earth?
Working with a limited budget of $6.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $6.3M in global revenue (+6% profit margin).
1 nomination
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%)
Amityville 3-D (1983) demonstrates meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Richard Fleischer's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 33 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
John Baxter
Nancy Baxter
Susan Baxter
Melanie
Dr. Elliot West
Main Cast & Characters
John Baxter
Played by Tony Roberts
A skeptical journalist who buys the Amityville house to debunk its haunted reputation, only to face terrifying supernatural phenomena.
Nancy Baxter
Played by Tess Harper
John's estranged wife who warns him about the house's dangers and tries to protect their daughter.
Susan Baxter
Played by Lori Loughlin
John and Nancy's teenage daughter who becomes tragically connected to the house's malevolent forces.
Melanie
Played by Candy Clark
A photojournalist and John's colleague who investigates the house with him and experiences the paranormal firsthand.
Dr. Elliot West
Played by Robert Joy
A parapsychologist who attempts to scientifically study the supernatural occurrences in the Amityville house.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes John Baxter, a skeptical journalist, exposes fake mediums with his photographer colleague. He's rational, scientific, and dismissive of the supernatural.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Despite warnings and its dark history, John defiantly purchases the Amityville house to prove there's nothing supernatural about it, disrupting his stable life.. 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 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to John commits to living in the house full-time and investigating it scientifically, actively choosing to immerse himself in the haunted environment despite mounting evidence and personal cost., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Susan, John's daughter, becomes trapped in the house during a supernatural event and nearly dies. The stakes become deeply personal—this is no longer an intellectual exercise., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 70 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Susan drowns in the demonic well in the basement. Death comes to John's family—his skepticism has cost him his daughter, the ultimate price for his arrogance., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. John confronts the demonic entity in a final battle, descending into the well to face the evil directly. The house erupts in supernatural chaos as he fights to survive and seal the portal., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Amityville 3-D's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Amityville 3-D against these established plot points, we can identify how Richard Fleischer utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Amityville 3-D within the horror genre.
Richard Fleischer's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Richard Fleischer films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Amityville 3-D represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Richard Fleischer filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye. For more Richard Fleischer analyses, see Conan the Destroyer, The Jazz Singer and Fantastic Voyage.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
John Baxter, a skeptical journalist, exposes fake mediums with his photographer colleague. He's rational, scientific, and dismissive of the supernatural.
Theme
The real estate agent warns John that some things can't be explained away by logic alone, foreshadowing the conflict between skepticism and supernatural reality.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of John's world: his work debunking frauds, his strained marriage to Nancy, his relationship with daughter Susan, and the infamous Amityville house going on sale cheap.
Disruption
Despite warnings and its dark history, John defiantly purchases the Amityville house to prove there's nothing supernatural about it, disrupting his stable life.
Resistance
Nancy objects to the purchase, strange occurrences begin, and John debates whether to stay. His photographer friend dies mysteriously in the house, but John rationalizes it as an accident.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
John commits to living in the house full-time and investigating it scientifically, actively choosing to immerse himself in the haunted environment despite mounting evidence and personal cost.
Mirror World
Dr. Elliot, a parapsychologist, arrives to study the house. He represents the thematic opposite to John: open-minded belief versus rigid skepticism.
Premise
Investigation of the haunted house: paranormal equipment, supernatural manifestations, the demonic well in the basement, flies, cold spots, and escalating phenomena that John continues to rationalize.
Midpoint
Susan, John's daughter, becomes trapped in the house during a supernatural event and nearly dies. The stakes become deeply personal—this is no longer an intellectual exercise.
Opposition
The house's power intensifies. Susan becomes obsessed with returning. Nancy demands John abandon the house. The malevolent force targets the family directly, exploiting John's stubborn denial.
Collapse
Susan drowns in the demonic well in the basement. Death comes to John's family—his skepticism has cost him his daughter, the ultimate price for his arrogance.
Crisis
John is shattered, confronting the horror of his daughter's death and his role in it. He must face that his rationalist worldview was fatally wrong.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
John confronts the demonic entity in a final battle, descending into the well to face the evil directly. The house erupts in supernatural chaos as he fights to survive and seal the portal.
Transformation
John escapes the destroyed house, forever changed. Once a smug skeptic, he now knows the truth: evil is real, and his arrogance cost him everything. He is humbled and haunted.