Consent
In 2013, Vanessa Springora recounts how she found herself under the influence of a famous writer. In 1986, she was 13; him, almost 50. The victim of a triple predation: sexual, literary, and psychic, there's more beyond her individual story. She questions the excesses of an era, and the complacency of an environment blinded by talent and celebrity.
Working with a limited budget of $3.7M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $4.7M in global revenue (+27% profit margin).
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%)
Consent (2023) exemplifies meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Vanessa Filho's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 59 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The protagonist is introduced in their ordinary world, navigating daily life and relationships with established patterns and assumptions about boundaries and communication.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when An incident occurs that challenges the protagonist's understanding of consent and boundaries, forcing them to confront uncomfortable truths about their situation or past experiences.. 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 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to The protagonist makes an active choice to confront the issue, speak their truth, or take a stand regarding consent and boundaries, committing to a new path despite uncertainty., moving from reaction to action.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat A false victory or defeat—the protagonist either believes they've made progress only to face greater opposition, or suffers a setback that reveals the deeper complexity of the fight ahead., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 89 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The protagonist reaches their lowest point—a crushing defeat, loss of support, public humiliation, or moment where everything they've fought for seems lost. The cost feels too high., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 95 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. A moment of clarity or new information allows the protagonist to synthesize their journey—combining personal truth with lessons learned, finding renewed strength to act not from anger but from conviction., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Consent's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Consent against these established plot points, we can identify how Vanessa Filho utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Consent within the history genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional history films include Operation Finale, The Importance of Being Earnest and Tora! Tora! Tora!.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The protagonist is introduced in their ordinary world, navigating daily life and relationships with established patterns and assumptions about boundaries and communication.
Theme
A secondary character raises questions about understanding, respect, and the importance of clear communication in relationships, subtly stating the film's thematic exploration of consent.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the protagonist's world, relationships, social dynamics, and the cultural context surrounding communication and boundaries. Key relationships and power dynamics are introduced.
Disruption
An incident occurs that challenges the protagonist's understanding of consent and boundaries, forcing them to confront uncomfortable truths about their situation or past experiences.
Resistance
The protagonist grapples with the implications of the disruption, seeking guidance, debating whether to take action, and encountering resistance from themselves or others about speaking up.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The protagonist makes an active choice to confront the issue, speak their truth, or take a stand regarding consent and boundaries, committing to a new path despite uncertainty.
Mirror World
Introduction of a key relationship or community that embodies the thematic alternative—people who model healthy communication, mutual respect, and proper understanding of consent.
Premise
The protagonist explores this new world of awareness and advocacy, learning about consent culture, finding allies, and experiencing both empowerment and challenges in their new journey.
Midpoint
A false victory or defeat—the protagonist either believes they've made progress only to face greater opposition, or suffers a setback that reveals the deeper complexity of the fight ahead.
Opposition
Resistance intensifies from external forces or internal doubts. The protagonist faces backlash, victim-blaming, institutional barriers, or personal relationships strained by their stance on consent.
Collapse
The protagonist reaches their lowest point—a crushing defeat, loss of support, public humiliation, or moment where everything they've fought for seems lost. The cost feels too high.
Crisis
In the darkness following collapse, the protagonist processes grief, anger, and doubt. They confront whether to continue fighting or retreat to safety and silence.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
A moment of clarity or new information allows the protagonist to synthesize their journey—combining personal truth with lessons learned, finding renewed strength to act not from anger but from conviction.
Synthesis
The protagonist executes their final plan, confronts the central conflict with newfound wisdom, and works to create change—whether personal healing, systemic reform, or helping others find their voice.
Transformation
The closing image shows the protagonist transformed—no longer silent or complicit, now embodying agency, boundary-setting, and empowered voice. A mirror to the opening that demonstrates growth.