Before I Go to Sleep
A woman wakes up every day, remembering nothing as a result of a traumatic accident in her past. One day, new terrifying truths emerge that force her to question everyone around her.
The film disappointed at the box office against its moderate budget of $22.0M, earning $17.7M globally (-20% loss).
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%)
Before I Go to Sleep (2014) exhibits strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Rowan Joffé's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 32 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Christine Lucas
Ben Lucas
Dr. Nash
Claire
Main Cast & Characters
Christine Lucas
Played by Nicole Kidman
A woman suffering from anterograde amnesia who wakes each day with no memory, trying to piece together her identity and uncover the truth about her past.
Ben Lucas
Played by Colin Firth
Christine's husband who appears devoted to caring for her daily, reminding her of their life together each morning.
Dr. Nash
Played by Mark Strong
A neuropsychologist treating Christine in secret, encouraging her to keep a video diary to track her memories and progress.
Claire
Played by Anne-Marie Duff
Christine's best friend who provides crucial information about her past that contradicts what Ben has told her.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Christine wakes up in an unfamiliar bed next to a stranger, panicked and disoriented, with no memory of who she is or how she got there.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Dr. Nash calls Christine's phone, revealing he's been secretly treating her and she's been keeping a video diary that Ben doesn't know about.. 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.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Christine discovers that her friend Claire doesn't exist and the woman she visited was an imposter, revealing that someone is actively manipulating her investigation - false defeat as her one independent lead collapses., 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 (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Christine watches her final video diary entry where she explicitly states "The man you are with is not Ben. He attacked you. He is dangerous." The truth of her imprisonment and daily deception fully crashes down., reveals 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. The confrontation with the fake Ben (actually Mike) who reveals himself as her obsessed attacker. Christine fights for her life, Dr. Nash arrives, and she ultimately defends herself, killing her captor and reclaiming her agency., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Before I Go to Sleep's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Before I Go to Sleep against these established plot points, we can identify how Rowan Joffé utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Before I Go to Sleep within the thriller genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional thriller films include Eye for an Eye, Lake Placid and Operation Finale.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Christine wakes up in an unfamiliar bed next to a stranger, panicked and disoriented, with no memory of who she is or how she got there.
Theme
Ben tells Christine "Every day is a new beginning" as he explains her condition, establishing the theme of identity, truth, and whether we are defined by our memories.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Christine's daily reality: Ben explains she has amnesia from an accident, shows her photos, their routine. She discovers hidden notes and photos suggesting a different story than what Ben tells her.
Disruption
Dr. Nash calls Christine's phone, revealing he's been secretly treating her and she's been keeping a video diary that Ben doesn't know about.
Resistance
Dr. Nash guides Christine to watch her video diary entries. She learns about her past, her assault, and begins questioning the truth of what Ben has told her. She debates whether to trust her husband or her hidden memories.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Christine investigates her past through her video diary, visits to her old friend Claire, and sessions with Dr. Nash. She uncovers details about her son Adam, her career, and inconsistencies in Ben's story.
Midpoint
Christine discovers that her friend Claire doesn't exist and the woman she visited was an imposter, revealing that someone is actively manipulating her investigation - false defeat as her one independent lead collapses.
Opposition
Christine continues watching video entries that reveal darker truths. She learns her son died, discovers photos of her real husband Ben (different from the man she's living with), and realizes the man claiming to be her husband is actually her attacker.
Collapse
Christine watches her final video diary entry where she explicitly states "The man you are with is not Ben. He attacked you. He is dangerous." The truth of her imprisonment and daily deception fully crashes down.
Crisis
Christine processes the horrifying revelation that she's been living with her attacker who has been gaslighting her for years. She must decide whether to confront him or escape, knowing she'll forget everything by tomorrow.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The confrontation with the fake Ben (actually Mike) who reveals himself as her obsessed attacker. Christine fights for her life, Dr. Nash arrives, and she ultimately defends herself, killing her captor and reclaiming her agency.