An American Haunting
An invisible entity haunts a 19th century family, and family secrets soon begin to surface. Based on the true events of the only case in US History where a spirit caused the death of a man.
Despite its limited budget of $14.0M, An American Haunting became a box office success, earning $29.6M worldwide—a 112% 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%)
An American Haunting (2005) exemplifies carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Courtney Solomon's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 23 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Betsy Bell
Richard Bell
Lucy Bell
Richard Powell
Kate Batts
Main Cast & Characters
Betsy Bell
Played by Rachel Hurd-Wood
The teenage daughter of the Bell family who becomes the primary target of supernatural torment and abuse.
Richard Bell
Played by Donald Sutherland
The strict patriarch of the Bell family whose dark secret may be the source of the haunting.
Lucy Bell
Played by Sissy Spacek
Betsy's mother who struggles to protect her daughter while maintaining faith and family unity.
Richard Powell
Played by James D'Arcy
Betsy's older teacher and suitor who investigates the haunting with rationalism and concern.
Kate Batts
Played by Gaye Brown
The local woman accused of witchcraft who places a curse on the Bell family.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Modern-day framing: a young girl wakes in terror from nightmares. The Bell family appears prosperous and respected in 1817 Tennessee, with Betsy Bell as an innocent young daughter in a seemingly normal household.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Betsy experiences the first supernatural attack - an invisible force pulls her hair and assaults her violently in her bed. The family's world of rational order is shattered by an inexplicable evil presence.. At 11% 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 20 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to The entity begins to speak, identifying itself as "Kate" and declaring its intention to kill John Bell. The family can no longer deny or hide the supernatural presence - they must actively fight an invisible enemy., moving from reaction to action.
At 42 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat A major revelation emerges: Kate claims to be the spirit of a woman John Bell wronged. Betsy discovers her father's dark secret - he sexually abused her as a child, and she's repressed the memories. The "haunting" is her fractured psyche manifesting rage., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 63 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, John Bell is found poisoned, dying in agony. Kate's voice celebrates his death as righteous punishment. Betsy is left shattered, having lost her father to both death and the revelation of his monstrous betrayal., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 68 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 82% of the runtime. The film returns to the modern frame: the young girl is revealed to be a descendant reliving the same pattern. Her mother finds historical documents connecting their family to the Bells, understanding the cycle of abuse that spans generations., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
An American Haunting's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping An American Haunting against these established plot points, we can identify how Courtney Solomon utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish An American Haunting within the horror genre.
Courtney Solomon's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Courtney Solomon films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. An American Haunting represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Courtney Solomon filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye. For more Courtney Solomon analyses, see Getaway, Dungeons & Dragons.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Modern-day framing: a young girl wakes in terror from nightmares. The Bell family appears prosperous and respected in 1817 Tennessee, with Betsy Bell as an innocent young daughter in a seemingly normal household.
Theme
Discussion of sin, punishment, and the idea that "the sins of the father are visited upon the children" - establishing that hidden wrongs demand a reckoning.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the Bell family in Red River, Tennessee. John Bell is a church elder and landowner. His daughter Betsy is courted by Richard Powell. The family's standing in the community and their religious devotion are established, along with the strict patriarchal social structure.
Disruption
Betsy experiences the first supernatural attack - an invisible force pulls her hair and assaults her violently in her bed. The family's world of rational order is shattered by an inexplicable evil presence.
Resistance
The family debates how to respond to the escalating attacks on Betsy. They consult the church, bring in Richard Powell as a rational observer, and try various remedies. John Bell resists publicly acknowledging the haunting, fearing shame and loss of standing.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The entity begins to speak, identifying itself as "Kate" and declaring its intention to kill John Bell. The family can no longer deny or hide the supernatural presence - they must actively fight an invisible enemy.
Mirror World
Richard Powell's relationship with Betsy deepens as he tries to protect and understand her. His rational, investigative approach mirrors the thematic question: can reason explain evil, or must we confront darker truths?
Premise
The heart of the haunting: Kate torments Betsy with increasing violence and sexual assault. The family tries exorcisms, prayers, and investigations. John Bell's health deteriorates. The community becomes aware, threatening the family's reputation.
Midpoint
A major revelation emerges: Kate claims to be the spirit of a woman John Bell wronged. Betsy discovers her father's dark secret - he sexually abused her as a child, and she's repressed the memories. The "haunting" is her fractured psyche manifesting rage.
Opposition
The truth intensifies the haunting rather than stopping it. John Bell becomes the clear target of supernatural vengeance. Betsy's psychological torment worsens as she cannot reconcile her memories with her love for her father. The family fragments under the weight of the terrible secret.
Collapse
John Bell is found poisoned, dying in agony. Kate's voice celebrates his death as righteous punishment. Betsy is left shattered, having lost her father to both death and the revelation of his monstrous betrayal.
Crisis
In the aftermath of John's death, Betsy processes the horror of what happened to her. The family mourns. The question remains: can Betsy ever heal from this trauma, or will the cycle of abuse continue?
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The film returns to the modern frame: the young girl is revealed to be a descendant reliving the same pattern. Her mother finds historical documents connecting their family to the Bells, understanding the cycle of abuse that spans generations.
Synthesis
The modern mother confronts the truth and protects her daughter, breaking the cycle that Betsy could not. The historical narrative concludes with Betsy's fate - she never married Richard Powell, forever marked by trauma. The resolution shows that only by acknowledging the truth can the curse be broken.