Check the Store Next Door
A family's harmony is disrupted when the patriarch falls ills and the youngest son inherits ownership of their humble mom-and-pop shop.
The film earned $5.6M at the global box office.
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%)
Check the Store Next Door (2016) reveals deliberately positioned dramatic framework, characteristic of Ernest Prakasa's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 44 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The protagonist operates their struggling store in routine fashion, showing the monotonous daily grind and financial pressures of small business ownership.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when A crisis hits: an eviction notice, a major debt comes due, or the store next door announces an expansion that threatens the protagonist's survival.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to The protagonist makes the active decision to engage with or infiltrate the competing store next door, committing to understanding their methods and fighting for survival., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat A false victory: the protagonist successfully implements changes and sees a surge in business, believing they've cracked the code, but the stakes are raised with new complications., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 78 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Complete failure: the protagonist loses everything (the store closes, a key relationship is destroyed, or their reputation is ruined), representing the death of their old approach., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 83 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. A revelation or piece of advice crystallizes the true lesson: success isn't about defeating the competition but finding one's own unique value and building genuine community., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Check the Store Next Door'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 Check the Store Next Door against these established plot points, we can identify how Ernest Prakasa utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Check the Store Next Door within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The protagonist operates their struggling store in routine fashion, showing the monotonous daily grind and financial pressures of small business ownership.
Theme
A customer or friend casually mentions that success often comes from looking at what's right in front of you, hinting at the film's theme about opportunity and perspective.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the protagonist's failing business, financial troubles, strained relationships, and the competitive store next door that seems to be thriving.
Disruption
A crisis hits: an eviction notice, a major debt comes due, or the store next door announces an expansion that threatens the protagonist's survival.
Resistance
The protagonist debates their options, considers giving up, receives advice from mentors or friends, and reluctantly begins investigating the neighboring store's success secrets.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The protagonist makes the active decision to engage with or infiltrate the competing store next door, committing to understanding their methods and fighting for survival.
Mirror World
Introduction of a key character from the rival store (owner, employee, or customer) who will become important to the protagonist's journey and thematic understanding.
Premise
The protagonist explores the world of the successful neighboring business, learning techniques, building relationships, experiencing small wins, and discovering what makes them different.
Midpoint
A false victory: the protagonist successfully implements changes and sees a surge in business, believing they've cracked the code, but the stakes are raised with new complications.
Opposition
The competing store fights back, the protagonist's methods backfire, relationships become strained, and ethical compromises begin to weigh heavily as pressure intensifies.
Collapse
Complete failure: the protagonist loses everything (the store closes, a key relationship is destroyed, or their reputation is ruined), representing the death of their old approach.
Crisis
The protagonist sits in the darkness of defeat, reflecting on their journey, choices, and what truly matters beyond just competition and survival.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
A revelation or piece of advice crystallizes the true lesson: success isn't about defeating the competition but finding one's own unique value and building genuine community.
Synthesis
The protagonist implements a new approach based on authenticity and collaboration, potentially partnering with rather than competing against the neighboring store, resolving conflicts and creating something better.
Transformation
Final image shows the protagonist in their transformed business/life, now thriving not through competition but through community, mirroring the opening but demonstrating growth and new perspective.