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 Wake (2016) showcases meticulously timed plot construction, characteristic of Mike Flanagan's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 37 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Jessie Hobson
Mark Hobson
Cody Morgan
Main Cast & Characters
Jessie Hobson
Played by Kate Bosworth
Foster mother struggling with past trauma who takes in Cody, discovering his dreams manifest in reality. Protective and nurturing despite her grief.
Mark Hobson
Played by Thomas Jane
Supportive foster father who works as a doctor. Rational and caring, helps Jessie navigate the supernatural events surrounding Cody.
Cody Morgan
Played by Jacob Tremblay
Eight-year-old foster child whose dreams and nightmares physically manifest while he sleeps. Traumatized by his mother's death, sweet but deeply troubled.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jessie and Mark Hobson prepare their home for foster child Cody, still grieving the drowning death of their son Sean. Empty bedroom, family photos hidden away, couple trying to move forward but clearly broken.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Cody falls asleep for the first time in the Hobson home. Beautiful butterflies materialize in the house - a physical manifestation of his dreams. Jessie witnesses the impossible, touching a real butterfly that shouldn't exist.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Jessie makes an active choice to encourage Cody to sleep and dream of Sean. She shows Cody photos and videos of her dead son, planting the seed. Despite Mark's objections, she commits to using Cody's gift to see Sean again., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False defeat: The Canker Man appears in full force during a sleep episode, attacking the house. Mark nearly dies. They realize Cody's nightmares are as real as his dreams, and far more dangerous. The stakes raise dramatically - this gift could kill them., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 73 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All is lost: Cody is taken away by social services. Jessie has lost both sons now - Sean to death, Cody to her own selfish obsession. Mark has left her. She sits alone in the empty house, confronting the reality that her inability to let go of Sean has destroyed everything. Whiff of death: her marriage and family die., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Synthesis moment: Jessie learns Cody is in danger at the children's home - trapped in sleep with the Canker Man. She realizes her true purpose isn't to use Cody to see Sean, but to save Cody from his nightmare. She combines her maternal love with newfound acceptance of reality., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Before I Wake'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 Before I Wake against these established plot points, we can identify how Mike Flanagan 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 Wake within the drama genre.
Mike Flanagan's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Mike Flanagan films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Before I Wake takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Mike Flanagan filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Mike Flanagan analyses, see Ouija: Origin of Evil, Oculus and Doctor Sleep.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jessie and Mark Hobson prepare their home for foster child Cody, still grieving the drowning death of their son Sean. Empty bedroom, family photos hidden away, couple trying to move forward but clearly broken.
Theme
Social worker tells Jessie about Cody's troubled history: "He's been through seven foster homes. Sometimes children protect themselves in ways we don't understand." Theme stated: confronting trauma vs. avoiding it.
Worldbuilding
Establishing the Hobson household and Cody's arrival. Introduction of Cody's rules: must stay awake, fears sleep, uses caffeine pills. Jessie and Mark navigate their grief while trying to connect with withdrawn Cody. Mark works long hours, Jessie at home.
Disruption
Cody falls asleep for the first time in the Hobson home. Beautiful butterflies materialize in the house - a physical manifestation of his dreams. Jessie witnesses the impossible, touching a real butterfly that shouldn't exist.
Resistance
Jessie and Mark experiment with Cody's gift. They discover his dreams become real while he sleeps. Jessie sees an opportunity - she asks Cody to dream of Sean. Mark is skeptical and worried. They debate the ethics and danger of exploiting Cody's ability.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jessie makes an active choice to encourage Cody to sleep and dream of Sean. She shows Cody photos and videos of her dead son, planting the seed. Despite Mark's objections, she commits to using Cody's gift to see Sean again.
Mirror World
Dream-Sean appears - a perfect manifestation of their lost son. Jessie holds him, talks to him. This relationship with dream-Sean becomes the emotional core that will teach Jessie what she truly needs: to let go and accept reality rather than cling to illusion.
Premise
The "promise of the premise" - Jessie experiencing time with dream-Sean while Cody sleeps. She becomes addicted to these encounters, encouraging Cody to sleep more. But the Canker Man - Cody's nightmare - begins appearing, killing a neighbor. The fun turns dangerous.
Midpoint
False defeat: The Canker Man appears in full force during a sleep episode, attacking the house. Mark nearly dies. They realize Cody's nightmares are as real as his dreams, and far more dangerous. The stakes raise dramatically - this gift could kill them.
Opposition
Jessie investigates Cody's past, discovering the tragic truth: Cody witnessed his mother's death at the hands of the Canker Man - actually cancer personified in his child mind. Multiple deaths occur. Mark wants to give Cody up. Jessie's obsession with keeping Cody (and access to Sean) tears their marriage apart.
Collapse
All is lost: Cody is taken away by social services. Jessie has lost both sons now - Sean to death, Cody to her own selfish obsession. Mark has left her. She sits alone in the empty house, confronting the reality that her inability to let go of Sean has destroyed everything. Whiff of death: her marriage and family die.
Crisis
Dark night of the soul. Jessie processes her grief properly for the first time. She realizes she was using Cody to avoid accepting Sean's death. She unpacks Sean's belongings, allows herself to truly mourn. Mark returns, they reconcile, acknowledging they must let Sean go.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Synthesis moment: Jessie learns Cody is in danger at the children's home - trapped in sleep with the Canker Man. She realizes her true purpose isn't to use Cody to see Sean, but to save Cody from his nightmare. She combines her maternal love with newfound acceptance of reality.
Synthesis
Finale: Jessie and Mark rush to save Cody. Jessie enters his dream-state, confronts the Canker Man. She helps Cody understand his mother's death wasn't his fault, that he can let go of the nightmare. Dream-Sean appears one final time, and Jessie chooses to say goodbye to save Cody. Cody wakes, freed.
Transformation
Final image mirrors opening: The same bedroom, but now truly alive with Cody in it. Jessie and Mark watch him sleep peacefully - no nightmares, no dreams manifesting. Sean's photos are back on display, honored but no longer desperately clung to. A real family, accepting reality, healed.