Chronicle
The shy, lonely and outcast teenager Andrew Detmer is bullied and has no friends at high-school and lives with his abusive and alcoholic father Richard Detmer and his terminally ill mother Karen. Andrew buys a camera to film his everyday life. His cousin Matt Garetty drives him to school and invites Andrew to go to a party at night. Nearby they find a tunnel and suddenly acquire telekinetic abilities and Andrew becomes the most powerful. But he easily loses his temper and becomes dangerous while Matt tries to control him. When his mother needs a medicine and Andrew does not have enough money to buy it, his darker side overwhelms him and he becomes a menace.
Despite a mid-range budget of $15.0M, Chronicle became a box office phenomenon, earning $145.0M worldwide—a remarkable 867% return.
2 wins & 7 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%)
Chronicle (2012) demonstrates meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Josh Trank's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 24 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Andrew films himself in his bedroom, establishing his isolation and desire to document his life. His abusive father pounds on the door, showing the toxic home environment he endures daily.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
At 41 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Andrew loses control during a prank and nearly kills a man by pushing his car off the road. Steve confronts him about his dangerous behavior. Andrew's darker impulses surface and the group's unity fractures. The fun is over., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 59 minutes (71% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Steve is killed by lightning when he flies up to comfort Andrew during a storm. Andrew is responsible for his best friend's death. His only real connection is severed, and his "whiff of death" moment completes his isolation., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 65 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 77% of the runtime. Andrew's father stabs him after Andrew returns home injured from the robbery. This betrayal pushes Andrew past the breaking point. He embraces his rage fully and decides the world must pay. He becomes the apex predator., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Chronicle's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Chronicle against these established plot points, we can identify how Josh Trank utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Chronicle within the adventure genre.
Josh Trank's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Josh Trank films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Chronicle takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Josh Trank filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more Josh Trank analyses, see Fantastic Four.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Andrew films himself in his bedroom, establishing his isolation and desire to document his life. His abusive father pounds on the door, showing the toxic home environment he endures daily.
Theme
Matt tells Andrew at school: "You can't just arbitrarily decide to start filming stuff," addressing the question of boundaries and the responsibility that comes with recording/wielding power over others.
Worldbuilding
Andrew is bullied at school, has a dying mother, and an alcoholic abusive father. His cousin Matt tries to help him socialize. Andrew documents everything with his camera, keeping the world at a distance.
Resistance
The three boys explore the hole and encounter a strange crystalline object that gives them nosebleeds and causes the camera to malfunction. They debate what happened and begin discovering they have telekinetic powers.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The fun of having powers: the boys pull pranks, learn to fly, perform at the talent show. Andrew gains confidence and popularity. Steve becomes Andrew's best friend. They test their limits and Andrew documents their evolution.
Midpoint
Andrew loses control during a prank and nearly kills a man by pushing his car off the road. Steve confronts him about his dangerous behavior. Andrew's darker impulses surface and the group's unity fractures. The fun is over.
Opposition
Andrew becomes increasingly isolated and angry. Steve tries to help him at a party but Andrew humiliates himself. They argue. Andrew's father discovers his camera and attacks him. His mother's condition worsens, requiring expensive medication.
Collapse
Steve is killed by lightning when he flies up to comfort Andrew during a storm. Andrew is responsible for his best friend's death. His only real connection is severed, and his "whiff of death" moment completes his isolation.
Crisis
Andrew attends Steve's funeral in darkness and grief. He spirals further, attempting robbery to get medicine money. When confronted, he loses control and unleashes violence. He is now fully detached from humanity.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Andrew's father stabs him after Andrew returns home injured from the robbery. This betrayal pushes Andrew past the breaking point. He embraces his rage fully and decides the world must pay. He becomes the apex predator.
Synthesis
Andrew rampages through Seattle, pulling buildings apart and attacking police. Matt realizes he must stop Andrew and confronts him in an aerial battle above the city. Matt uses both his powers and Steve's moral lessons to fight his cousin.
Transformation
Matt stands in Tibet at Steve's desired destination, having killed Andrew to stop him. He speaks to Andrew's camera, transformed from detached observer to responsible wielder of power, carrying the weight of both his friends.