Bewitched
Out in California's San Fernando Valley, Isabel is trying to reinvent herself. A naïve, good-natured witch, she is determined to disavow her supernatural powers and lead a normal life. At the same time, across town, Jack Wyatt, a tall, charming actor is trying to get his career back on track. He sets his sights on an updated version of the beloved situation comedy Bewitched (1964), re-conceived as a starring vehicle for him in the role of the mere-mortal Darrin. Fate steps in when Jack accidentally runs into Isabel. He is immediately attracted to her and her nose, which bears an uncanny resemblance to the nose of Elizabeth Montgomery, who played Samantha on Bewitched (1964). He becomes convinced she could play Samantha in his new series. Isabel is also taken with Jack, seeing him as the quintessential mortal man with whom she can settle down and lead the normal life she so desires. It turns out they're both right, but in ways neither of them ever imagined.
Working with a significant budget of $85.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $131.4M in global revenue (+55% profit margin).
2 wins & 13 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%)
Bewitched (2005) exemplifies strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Nora Ephron's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Isabel Bigelow / Samantha Stephens
Jack Wyatt
Nigel Bigelow
Iris Smythson
Ritchie
Main Cast & Characters
Isabel Bigelow / Samantha Stephens
Played by Nicole Kidman
A genuine witch who wants to live a normal life and takes a role in a TV remake of Bewitched, unaware she's being used by her narcissistic co-star.
Jack Wyatt
Played by Will Ferrell
A fading movie star desperate to revive his career through a Bewitched TV remake, initially manipulative but eventually falls for Isabel.
Nigel Bigelow
Played by Michael Caine
Isabel's charming warlock father who appears and disappears at will, encouraging her to embrace her magical heritage.
Iris Smythson
Played by Kristin Chenoweth
Jack's dedicated but long-suffering personal assistant who manages his chaotic life and career.
Ritchie
Played by Jason Schwartzman
The director of the Bewitched remake who tries to navigate Jack's ego and the production's challenges.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Isabel Bigelow lives as a real witch in Los Angeles, trying to live a normal life. She uses magic casually in her everyday routine, wanting to give up witchcraft and be ordinary.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Jack Wyatt's agent pitches him the idea of starring in a TV remake of "Bewitched" as a way to reinvent his career, but he must play Darrin (not the star role of Samantha).. 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 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Isabel accepts the role of Samantha in the "Bewitched" remake, committing to her new life as an actress and entering the world of television production., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Isabel discovers Jack's manipulative plan - that he hired her specifically because she was a nobody he could overshadow. She realizes their relationship and the show were built on deception., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 76 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Isabel quits the show and walks away from both her acting career and Jack, losing everything she hoped would make her normal. Her dream of an ordinary life collapses., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Isabel realizes she must embrace who she truly is - a witch - and that denying her nature caused the problems. Jack commits to genuine honesty and publicly reveals his manipulation on live television., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Bewitched'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 Bewitched against these established plot points, we can identify how Nora Ephron utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Bewitched within the comedy genre.
Nora Ephron's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Nora Ephron films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Bewitched takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Nora Ephron filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Nora Ephron analyses, see Michael, Sleepless in Seattle and Julie & Julia.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Isabel Bigelow lives as a real witch in Los Angeles, trying to live a normal life. She uses magic casually in her everyday routine, wanting to give up witchcraft and be ordinary.
Theme
Isabel's father warns her that "You can't deny who you really are," establishing the theme of authenticity versus attempting to be someone you're not.
Worldbuilding
We see Isabel's world as a witch trying to live normally, her bookstore job, her relationship with her warlock father Nigel, and her desire for a regular romance. Jack Wyatt is introduced as a fading movie star desperate to revive his career.
Disruption
Jack Wyatt's agent pitches him the idea of starring in a TV remake of "Bewitched" as a way to reinvent his career, but he must play Darrin (not the star role of Samantha).
Resistance
Jack schemes to hire an unknown actress for Samantha so he can dominate the show. Isabel decides to pursue normal life and auditions for acting roles. Jack discovers Isabel and sees her as perfect - a nobody he can control.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Isabel accepts the role of Samantha in the "Bewitched" remake, committing to her new life as an actress and entering the world of television production.
Mirror World
Isabel and Jack begin working together on set. Their chemistry develops as Isabel experiences the film world, and Jack represents the relationship that will teach her about authenticity versus pretense.
Premise
The fun of the premise: Isabel navigates Hollywood while secretly being an actual witch, using magic to enhance her performance. Jack and Isabel grow closer. She experiences fame and romance while trying to suppress her true nature.
Midpoint
Isabel discovers Jack's manipulative plan - that he hired her specifically because she was a nobody he could overshadow. She realizes their relationship and the show were built on deception.
Opposition
Isabel feels betrayed and uses magic in anger. The relationship deteriorates. Jack begins to genuinely care but can't undo his manipulation. Isabel struggles between revenge, her real identity, and her feelings. Production tensions mount.
Collapse
Isabel quits the show and walks away from both her acting career and Jack, losing everything she hoped would make her normal. Her dream of an ordinary life collapses.
Crisis
Isabel retreats into isolation, processing the betrayal and her failed attempt to be someone she's not. Jack realizes he's lost something real and confronts his own superficiality.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Isabel realizes she must embrace who she truly is - a witch - and that denying her nature caused the problems. Jack commits to genuine honesty and publicly reveals his manipulation on live television.
Synthesis
Jack publicly apologizes and transforms the show to honor Isabel. Isabel embraces her magical identity openly. They reconcile with authenticity as the foundation. The finale episode airs with both of them being their true selves.
Transformation
Isabel confidently uses magic in public, fully integrated as both witch and actress. She and Jack are together authentically. She's transformed from denying her identity to celebrating it.