Bedazzled
Elliot Richards, a socially awkward IT worker, is given seven wishes to get the girl of his dreams when he meets a very seductive Satan. The catch: his soul. Some of his wishes include being a 7 foot basketball star, a wealthy, powerful man, and a sensitive caring guy. But, as could be expected, the Devil puts her own little twist on each of his fantasies.
Working with a moderate budget of $48.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $90.4M in global revenue (+88% profit margin).
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%)
Bedazzled (2000) showcases strategically placed story structure, characteristic of Harold Ramis's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 10-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 33 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Elliot Richards
The Devil
Alison Gardner
Main Cast & Characters
Elliot Richards
Played by Brendan Fraser
A socially awkward tech support worker who sells his soul to the Devil for seven wishes in hopes of winning the love of his co-worker Alison.
The Devil
Played by Elizabeth Hurley
A beautiful, seductive, and manipulative devil who grants Elliot seven wishes in exchange for his soul, finding clever ways to corrupt each wish.
Alison Gardner
Played by Frances O'Connor
Elliot's attractive co-worker and the object of his affection, unaware of his desperate attempts to win her love through magical wishes.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Elliot Richards is a socially awkward, lonely tech support worker completely ignored by his coworkers, desperately pining for his colleague Alison Gardner who doesn't know he exists. His pathetic attempts at connection fall flat as everyone abandons him at a bar.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Around the middle wish, Elliot begins to realize that getting Alison through wishes will never work—each scenario is fundamentally flawed. He starts questioning what he really wants and whether the Devil can ever give him true happiness. The stakes shift from winning Alison to saving his soul., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 69 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Elliot uses his final wish selflessly (wishing for Alison's happiness, not his own), but the Devil claims his soul anyway. He's dragged to Hell, completely defeated, having lost everything—his soul, his chance with Alison, and seemingly all hope. Death of his old self and his dreams., demonstrates 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. Elliot returns to the real world transformed. He approaches Alison authentically, without desperation or pretense. When she chooses someone else, he accepts it gracefully. He befriends his neighbor, makes genuine connections, and shows he's learned what truly matters—being himself., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Bedazzled's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 10 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Bedazzled against these established plot points, we can identify how Harold Ramis utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Bedazzled within the fantasy genre.
Harold Ramis's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Harold Ramis films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Bedazzled takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Harold Ramis filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional fantasy films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Conan the Barbarian and Batman Forever. For more Harold Ramis analyses, see Club Paradise, Multiplicity and The Ice Harvest.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Elliot Richards is a socially awkward, lonely tech support worker completely ignored by his coworkers, desperately pining for his colleague Alison Gardner who doesn't know he exists. His pathetic attempts at connection fall flat as everyone abandons him at a bar.
Theme
A priest or coworker mentions something about being careful what you wish for, or that true happiness comes from within, not from getting what you think you want—foreshadowing Elliot's journey of self-discovery.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Elliot's miserable existence: his dead-end job, his nonexistent social life, his obsession with the unattainable Alison, and his complete lack of self-awareness. His coworkers mock him and he's utterly oblivious to why he's unlikable.
Resistance
Elliot debates whether the Devil is real, visits her elaborate apartment/nightclub, learns the rules of the contract, and wrestles with the decision. The Devil explains how wishes work and shows him her power, while Elliot remains skeptical but tempted.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The "fun and games" of wish fulfillment: Elliot goes through multiple wishes (rich Colombian drug lord, sensitive writer, basketball star, President), each hilariously twisted by the Devil. He learns each wish's fatal flaw while growing closer to understanding real happiness.
Midpoint
Around the middle wish, Elliot begins to realize that getting Alison through wishes will never work—each scenario is fundamentally flawed. He starts questioning what he really wants and whether the Devil can ever give him true happiness. The stakes shift from winning Alison to saving his soul.
Opposition
Elliot burns through his remaining wishes with growing desperation. The Devil tightens her grip, becoming more antagonistic. Elliot discovers he's falling for the real Alison as a person, not his fantasy of her, but his contract looms. His attempts to find loopholes fail.
Collapse
Elliot uses his final wish selflessly (wishing for Alison's happiness, not his own), but the Devil claims his soul anyway. He's dragged to Hell, completely defeated, having lost everything—his soul, his chance with Alison, and seemingly all hope. Death of his old self and his dreams.
Crisis
In Hell or during judgment, Elliot faces his darkest moment. He reflects on his journey, realizing he's been chasing the wrong thing all along. He understands that he needed to become a better person, not just get the girl through tricks and wishes.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Elliot returns to the real world transformed. He approaches Alison authentically, without desperation or pretense. When she chooses someone else, he accepts it gracefully. He befriends his neighbor, makes genuine connections, and shows he's learned what truly matters—being himself.