Battle of the Sexes
In the wake of the sexual revolution and the rise of the women's movement, the 1973 tennis match between women's world champion Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and ex-men's-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) was billed as the BATTLE OF THE SEXES and became one of the most watched televised sports events of all time, reaching 90 million viewers around the world. As the rivalry between King and Riggs kicked into high gear, off-court each was fighting more personal and complex battles. The fiercely private King was not only championing for equality, but also struggling to come to terms with her own sexuality, as her friendship with Marilyn Barnett (Andrea Riseborough) developed. And Riggs, one of the first self-made media-age celebrities, wrestled with his gambling demons, at the expense of his family and wife Priscilla (Elisabeth Shue). Together, Billie and Bobby served up a cultural spectacle that resonated far beyond the tennis court, sparking discussions in bedrooms and boardrooms that continue to reverberate today.
The film struggled financially against its respectable budget of $25.0M, earning $12.6M globally (-49% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its compelling narrative within the biography genre.
3 wins & 24 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%)
Battle of the Sexes (2017) exemplifies meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of Valerie Faris's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 1 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.4, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Billie Jean King
Bobby Riggs
Marilyn Barnett
Larry King
Gladys Heldman
Priscilla Riggs
Jack Kramer
Main Cast & Characters
Billie Jean King
Played by Emma Stone
World-ranked tennis champion who fights for gender equality in sports and struggles with her sexuality while preparing for a historic exhibition match.
Bobby Riggs
Played by Steve Carell
Former tennis champion and self-proclaimed male chauvinist who challenges King to prove men's superiority in sports.
Marilyn Barnett
Played by Andrea Riseborough
Hairdresser who becomes King's lover and confidante, helping her discover her authentic self.
Larry King
Played by Austin Stowell
Billie Jean's supportive husband who struggles with her growing distance and secret relationship.
Gladys Heldman
Played by Sarah Silverman
Tennis promoter and founder of the Virginia Slims Circuit who champions women's professional tennis.
Priscilla Riggs
Played by Elisabeth Shue
Bobby's long-suffering wife who tolerates his antics and gambling addiction while maintaining family stability.
Jack Kramer
Played by Bill Pullman
Former tennis star and tournament director who refuses equal pay for women, sparking the women's tennis revolution.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 3 minutes (3% through the runtime) establishes Billie Jean King at the height of her tennis career in 1972, discovering the stark prize money inequality: women receive $1,500 while men receive $12,000 for the same tournament.. Structural examination shows that this early placement efficiently establishes the narrative foundation.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Billie Jean meets Marilyn Barnett, a charismatic hairdresser, during a photo shoot. Immediate chemistry disrupts Billie Jean's carefully controlled public image and stable marriage.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 37 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 30% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Billie Jean and Marilyn's relationship becomes romantic. Billie Jean actively chooses to pursue this relationship despite the risks to her marriage, career, and public image. She crosses into dangerous emotional territory., moving from reaction to action.
At 63 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 52% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Billie Jean accepts Bobby Riggs' challenge for "The Battle of the Sexes." False victory: she commits to the fight for women's equality on the world stage, but the stakes skyrocket. The private becomes public, and there's no turning back., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (65% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Larry confronts Billie Jean about Marilyn. She admits the truth. Her marriage - the foundation of her public life and her greatest support system - dies. This emotional devastation happens just before the biggest match of her life., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 89 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 74% of the runtime. Billie Jean enters the Houston Astrodome. Synthesis moment: she realizes she must channel her pain and her truth into the fight. Her personal struggle for authenticity fuels her public battle for equality. She stops compartmentalizing and integrates both fights into one., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Battle of the Sexes'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 Battle of the Sexes against these established plot points, we can identify how Valerie Faris utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Battle of the Sexes within the biography genre.
Valerie Faris's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Valerie Faris films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Battle of the Sexes takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Valerie Faris filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional biography films include Lords of Dogtown, Ip Man 2 and A Complete Unknown. For more Valerie Faris analyses, see Little Miss Sunshine.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Billie Jean King at the height of her tennis career in 1972, discovering the stark prize money inequality: women receive $1,500 while men receive $12,000 for the same tournament.
Theme
Gladys Heldman tells the women players, "This is about showing everyone what we're worth." The theme of equality, value, and fighting for recognition is established.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the tennis world's gender inequality, Billie Jean's confrontation with USLTA director Jack Kramer, formation of the Virginia Slims Circuit with fellow players, and introduction of her marriage to supportive husband Larry King. The world of 1970s women's tennis and the broader social context is laid out.
Disruption
Billie Jean meets Marilyn Barnett, a charismatic hairdresser, during a photo shoot. Immediate chemistry disrupts Billie Jean's carefully controlled public image and stable marriage.
Resistance
Billie Jean navigates building the women's tour while her attraction to Marilyn deepens. Parallel introduction of Bobby Riggs, a gambling addict and former champion seeking relevance by challenging female players. Both characters debate their paths: Billie Jean wrestles with her identity while Bobby debates how to reclaim the spotlight.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Billie Jean and Marilyn's relationship becomes romantic. Billie Jean actively chooses to pursue this relationship despite the risks to her marriage, career, and public image. She crosses into dangerous emotional territory.
Mirror World
The relationship with Marilyn deepens into genuine love and intimacy. Marilyn represents authenticity and self-acceptance, the emotional journey that will teach Billie Jean what she truly needs beyond professional victory.
Premise
The "fun and games" of both storylines: Billie Jean experiences the joy and fear of her secret relationship while building the women's tour; Bobby creates his "male chauvinist pig" persona and defeats Margaret Court in the humiliating "Mother's Day Massacre." The premise delivers on both the sports drama and the personal romance.
Midpoint
Billie Jean accepts Bobby Riggs' challenge for "The Battle of the Sexes." False victory: she commits to the fight for women's equality on the world stage, but the stakes skyrocket. The private becomes public, and there's no turning back.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies from all sides: media circus around the match grows, Bobby's provocations escalate, training becomes grueling, and rumors about Billie Jean's relationship with Marilyn spread. Her husband Larry grows suspicious. The personal and professional threats close in simultaneously.
Collapse
Larry confronts Billie Jean about Marilyn. She admits the truth. Her marriage - the foundation of her public life and her greatest support system - dies. This emotional devastation happens just before the biggest match of her life.
Crisis
Dark night of the soul: Billie Jean must process the destruction of her marriage while preparing for a match watched by 90 million people. She's emotionally shattered, carrying the weight of the entire women's movement on her shoulders while her personal life crumbles.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Billie Jean enters the Houston Astrodome. Synthesis moment: she realizes she must channel her pain and her truth into the fight. Her personal struggle for authenticity fuels her public battle for equality. She stops compartmentalizing and integrates both fights into one.
Synthesis
The finale: The Battle of the Sexes match. Billie Jean defeats Bobby Riggs in straight sets (6-4, 6-3, 6-3) before 30,000 spectators and 90 million TV viewers. She executes her game plan perfectly, her superior fitness and strategy overcoming Bobby's gamesmanship. Post-match, she delivers a dignified speech about respect and equality. The historical impact unfolds.
Transformation
Final image shows the real Billie Jean King today - an openly gay icon and champion for equality. The closing text reveals her continued activism despite being outed in 1981 and losing endorsements. The girl fighting for equal prize money became a legend who transformed sports and society.