Anatomy of a Fall
A woman is suspected of murder after her husband's death; their half-blind son faces a moral dilemma as the main witness.
Despite its limited budget of $6.7M, Anatomy of a Fall became a financial success, earning $35.6M worldwide—a 432% return. The film's compelling narrative connected with viewers, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
1 Oscar. 130 wins & 191 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%)
Anatomy of a Fall (2023) demonstrates strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of Justine Triet's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 31 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Sandra Voyter
Daniel Maleski
Vincent Renzi
Samuel Maleski
Maître Aguirre
Marge Berger
Main Cast & Characters
Sandra Voyter
Played by Sandra Hüller
A novelist accused of murdering her husband, fighting to prove her innocence while protecting her son.
Daniel Maleski
Played by Milo Machado-Graner
Sandra's 11-year-old visually impaired son who witnessed the aftermath and becomes a key witness.
Vincent Renzi
Played by Swann Arlaud
Sandra's devoted defense attorney and longtime friend who believes in her innocence.
Samuel Maleski
Played by Samuel Theis
Sandra's husband, a failed writer whose death becomes the center of the investigation.
Maître Aguirre
Played by Antoine Reinartz
The prosecuting attorney who builds a case against Sandra with methodical precision.
Marge Berger
Played by Jehnny Beth
A court-appointed psychiatrist who evaluates Daniel's testimony and psychological state.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Sandra and Samuel's seemingly stable but tense domestic life in their isolated chalet. A student arrives for an interview as loud music blares from Samuel's workspace upstairs, establishing the subtle friction in their marriage.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 19 minutes when Daniel discovers his father Samuel's body in the snow outside their chalet, dead from a fall from the attic. The ambiguity of whether it was suicide, accident, or murder immediately disrupts their world.. 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 39 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Sandra is formally charged with Samuel's murder. She chooses to fight the accusation and enters the world of the trial, committed to defending herself against the prosecution's narrative of her guilt., moving from reaction to action.
At 75 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat The devastating audio recording of Sandra and Samuel's violent argument is played in court, revealing the depth of their marital dysfunction. This false defeat moment makes Sandra appear guilty and shifts public perception dramatically against her., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 113 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Sandra's testimony about the argument and her admission of the darkness in her marriage. The realization that no matter what the verdict, the truth of what happened may never be known. The death of certainty itself., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 121 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Daniel conducts his own experiment with their dog Snoop, recreating circumstances to test whether his father's death could have been an accident or suicide. He chooses to believe in his mother's innocence and provides testimony that supports her., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Anatomy of a Fall'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 Anatomy of a Fall against these established plot points, we can identify how Justine Triet utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Anatomy of a Fall within the crime genre.
Justine Triet's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Justine Triet films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Anatomy of a Fall represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Justine Triet filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more Justine Triet analyses, see In Bed with Victoria.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Sandra and Samuel's seemingly stable but tense domestic life in their isolated chalet. A student arrives for an interview as loud music blares from Samuel's workspace upstairs, establishing the subtle friction in their marriage.
Theme
During the interview, discussion of Sandra's semi-autobiographical novel raises questions about truth versus narrative, reality versus interpretation - the core thematic tension that will permeate the trial.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Sandra's life as a successful author living in the French Alps with her husband Samuel and visually impaired son Daniel. The marriage shows signs of strain, Samuel's frustration with his own stalled career, and the family's adaptation to their remote location.
Disruption
Daniel discovers his father Samuel's body in the snow outside their chalet, dead from a fall from the attic. The ambiguity of whether it was suicide, accident, or murder immediately disrupts their world.
Resistance
Police investigation begins. Sandra is questioned about the circumstances of Samuel's death. Evidence emerges that could support multiple theories. Sandra consults with her lawyer and must decide how to defend herself as suspicion grows.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Sandra is formally charged with Samuel's murder. She chooses to fight the accusation and enters the world of the trial, committed to defending herself against the prosecution's narrative of her guilt.
Mirror World
The relationship between Sandra and her son Daniel becomes the emotional heart of the story. Daniel must navigate his loyalty to his mother while grappling with his own doubts and the need to understand the truth about his father's death.
Premise
The trial unfolds with testimony, evidence, and arguments. The prosecution builds a case of marital discord and murder. Sandra's defense attempts to establish reasonable doubt. The courtroom becomes a stage where competing narratives of the marriage and death are presented.
Midpoint
The devastating audio recording of Sandra and Samuel's violent argument is played in court, revealing the depth of their marital dysfunction. This false defeat moment makes Sandra appear guilty and shifts public perception dramatically against her.
Opposition
The prosecution intensifies its case. Sandra's character is dissected - her affairs, her ambition, her coldness are all weaponized. Daniel is caught between loyalty and doubt. The weight of judgment and the impossibility of proving innocence when truth itself is ambiguous bears down.
Collapse
Sandra's testimony about the argument and her admission of the darkness in her marriage. The realization that no matter what the verdict, the truth of what happened may never be known. The death of certainty itself.
Crisis
Sandra and Daniel face the darkest moment of doubt and despair. Daniel must process what he's learned about his parents' marriage. Sandra confronts the possibility of conviction and the loss of her son's trust, regardless of the legal outcome.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Daniel conducts his own experiment with their dog Snoop, recreating circumstances to test whether his father's death could have been an accident or suicide. He chooses to believe in his mother's innocence and provides testimony that supports her.
Synthesis
Final arguments are presented. Daniel's testimony and the defense's case for reasonable doubt. The jury deliberates on a case where objective truth is impossible to determine, only competing narratives exist.
Transformation
Sandra is acquitted. She and Daniel return home together, their relationship transformed by trauma and choice. The truth of what happened remains ambiguous, but they have chosen their narrative and must live within it.