Chloe
Chloe is about a young woman left to fend for herself in a country house. She loyally waits for those who left her even though it means her inevitable death. A strange drifter comes by and tries to persuade her to leave but fails to do so, following which he leaves her as well.
The film struggled financially against its modest budget of $14.0M, earning $13.7M globally (-2% 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%)
Chloe (2010) exhibits precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Atom Egoyan's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 36 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 Catherine Stewart, a successful gynecologist, prepares a surprise party for her husband David's birthday, maintaining an elegant Toronto life with their teenage son Michael. She appears composed and in control, but subtle signs suggest emotional distance in the marriage.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Catherine sees David flirting with a young woman at a restaurant and lying about canceling his missed flight. Her suspicions are confirmed when she finds evidence suggesting infidelity. The secure foundation of her marriage cracks, and she can no longer ignore the possibility that David is cheating.. 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.
The First Threshold at 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Catherine actively hires Chloe to seduce David and report back on whether he takes the bait. This is her conscious choice to enter a dangerous world of manipulation and testing, abandoning direct communication for deception. She crosses a moral line she cannot uncross., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Catherine and Chloe share a sexual encounter. What began as Catherine investigating David's infidelity becomes Catherine's own infidelity. The stakes completely transform—this is no longer about catching David; it's about Catherine's own desires and the dangerous game she's playing. The hunter has become the hunted., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 72 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Chloe seduces Michael, Catherine's teenage son, in a devastating power play. Catherine's worst fears are realized: her attempt to control her marriage has endangered her child. The "whiff of death" is the death of Catherine's family unit and her identity as a protective mother. Everything she tried to preserve has been destroyed by her own actions., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 77 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Catherine confronts Chloe at her apartment. In the confrontation, Chloe's desperate loneliness and obsession are revealed—she wanted Catherine, not David. The encounter turns tragic when Chloe falls through a window to her death. Catherine must then face David with the truth about what she's done, choosing honesty over the lies that nearly destroyed them., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Chloe's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Chloe against these established plot points, we can identify how Atom Egoyan utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Chloe within the short genre.
Atom Egoyan's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Atom Egoyan films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Chloe takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Atom Egoyan filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional short films include This Is England, What Remains and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. For more Atom Egoyan analyses, see The Sweet Hereafter.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Catherine Stewart, a successful gynecologist, prepares a surprise party for her husband David's birthday, maintaining an elegant Toronto life with their teenage son Michael. She appears composed and in control, but subtle signs suggest emotional distance in the marriage.
Theme
A patient tells Catherine, "You can't control everything," when discussing relationships and trust. This establishes the film's central theme about the illusion of control, the nature of trust, and the dangerous territory between suspicion and obsession.
Worldbuilding
Catherine and David's marriage is established: he's a charming music professor who flirts with female students, she's a controlled professional. David misses his flight home for his birthday party, claiming he was late. Catherine discovers a text from a woman on David's phone, awakening her suspicions about his fidelity.
Disruption
Catherine sees David flirting with a young woman at a restaurant and lying about canceling his missed flight. Her suspicions are confirmed when she finds evidence suggesting infidelity. The secure foundation of her marriage cracks, and she can no longer ignore the possibility that David is cheating.
Resistance
Catherine struggles with whether to confront David directly or investigate further. She encounters Chloe, a beautiful young escort, at a cafe. The idea forms: what if she could test David's loyalty? Catherine debates the morality and wisdom of this approach, wrestling with her fear and need for certainty.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Catherine actively hires Chloe to seduce David and report back on whether he takes the bait. This is her conscious choice to enter a dangerous world of manipulation and testing, abandoning direct communication for deception. She crosses a moral line she cannot uncross.
Mirror World
Chloe becomes Catherine's mirror world character—ostensibly helping Catherine investigate her marriage, but actually representing everything Catherine has repressed: sexual freedom, directness, risk, and desire. Their relationship will force Catherine to confront what she truly wants and who she truly is.
Premise
Chloe meets Catherine repeatedly to describe increasingly intimate encounters with David. Catherine becomes obsessed with the details, both devastated and aroused by Chloe's stories. The meetings grow more charged, and Catherine finds herself drawn to Chloe herself, complicating her original mission.
Midpoint
Catherine and Chloe share a sexual encounter. What began as Catherine investigating David's infidelity becomes Catherine's own infidelity. The stakes completely transform—this is no longer about catching David; it's about Catherine's own desires and the dangerous game she's playing. The hunter has become the hunted.
Opposition
Chloe becomes increasingly obsessive and intrusive, showing up at Catherine's home and interacting with Michael. Catherine realizes she's lost control of the situation. She tries to end things with Chloe, but Chloe won't let go. Evidence emerges suggesting Chloe may have been lying about David all along. The manipulation tightens around Catherine.
Collapse
Chloe seduces Michael, Catherine's teenage son, in a devastating power play. Catherine's worst fears are realized: her attempt to control her marriage has endangered her child. The "whiff of death" is the death of Catherine's family unit and her identity as a protective mother. Everything she tried to preserve has been destroyed by her own actions.
Crisis
Catherine confronts the wreckage of her choices. She must face that her need for control created this nightmare. She sits in darkness with the knowledge that she has betrayed David, endangered Michael, and unleashed something she cannot contain. This is her dark night, processing the cost of her obsession.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Catherine confronts Chloe at her apartment. In the confrontation, Chloe's desperate loneliness and obsession are revealed—she wanted Catherine, not David. The encounter turns tragic when Chloe falls through a window to her death. Catherine must then face David with the truth about what she's done, choosing honesty over the lies that nearly destroyed them.
Transformation
Catherine and David stand together in their greenhouse, physically close but emotionally raw. Unlike the opening's superficial control, Catherine has been transformed by chaos and loss. She has learned that control is an illusion, that trust requires vulnerability, and that her attempt to manage love nearly destroyed it. The image mirrors the opening but shows a woman who has faced her shadow.