D.A.R.Y.L.
A young boy is found wandering without any memory of who he is. A family takes him in and begin to look for clues to help him find his way home. In the meantime, they notice that the boy seems to have certain special abilities, not usually found in kids his age, or even fully-grown adults.
The film disappointed at the box office against its modest budget of $10.0M, earning $7.8M globally (-22% 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%)
D.A.R.Y.L. (1985) exemplifies deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Simon Wincer's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 40 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes A mysterious boy wanders alone on a dark highway at night, disoriented and without memory, establishing the central mystery of his identity.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Government agents and military personnel begin investigating Daryl's whereabouts, revealing he is a classified project that has escaped, threatening his newfound normal life.. At 11% 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 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to The Richardsons decide to formally adopt Daryl, fully committing to accepting him as their son despite the mysteries surrounding him. Daryl chooses to embrace this family., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The military tracks down Daryl and reveals the truth to the Richardsons: he is D.A.R.Y.L. (Data Analyzing Robot Youth Lifeform), a sophisticated android experiment. The false victory of his perfect family life is shattered by the revelation of his true nature., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Daryl is placed in an airplane rigged to crash as part of his termination protocol - a literal death scenario. The plane explodes and crashes, and he is presumed destroyed., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 79 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Daryl reveals he survived by ejecting from the plane, using both his artificial capabilities AND the human survival instinct he learned from his family. He chooses to return home rather than remain hidden., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
D.A.R.Y.L.'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 D.A.R.Y.L. against these established plot points, we can identify how Simon Wincer utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish D.A.R.Y.L. within the family genre.
Simon Wincer's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Simon Wincer films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. D.A.R.Y.L. represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Simon Wincer filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional family films include The Bad Guys, Like A Rolling Stone and Cats Don't Dance. For more Simon Wincer analyses, see The Phantom, Quigley Down Under and Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
A mysterious boy wanders alone on a dark highway at night, disoriented and without memory, establishing the central mystery of his identity.
Theme
Joyce Richardson expresses concern about taking in the amnesiac boy, saying "He's just a child who needs help" - establishing the theme of humanity, compassion, and what it means to be truly human beyond programming or biology.
Worldbuilding
Daryl is placed with foster parents Andy and Joyce Richardson. We see him integrate into a normal suburban family life, befriend their son Turtle, attend school, and display unusual abilities like perfect test scores and video game mastery.
Disruption
Government agents and military personnel begin investigating Daryl's whereabouts, revealing he is a classified project that has escaped, threatening his newfound normal life.
Resistance
Daryl experiences life as a normal boy - playing baseball, going to school, developing friendships. The Richardsons debate keeping him versus his mysterious past. His superhuman abilities become more apparent but he tries to fit in.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The Richardsons decide to formally adopt Daryl, fully committing to accepting him as their son despite the mysteries surrounding him. Daryl chooses to embrace this family.
Mirror World
Daryl's deepening relationship with Turtle and the Richardson family represents the emotional/human subplot that contrasts with his artificial origins. His friendship with Turtle teaches him authentic human connection.
Premise
Daryl experiences the joys of being a regular kid - excelling at baseball using his abilities, forming deeper bonds with his family, first experiences with attraction, and navigating childhood adventures. The promise of "boy robot learns to be human."
Midpoint
The military tracks down Daryl and reveals the truth to the Richardsons: he is D.A.R.Y.L. (Data Analyzing Robot Youth Lifeform), a sophisticated android experiment. The false victory of his perfect family life is shattered by the revelation of his true nature.
Opposition
Daryl is taken back to the military facility. Dr. Stewart and General Graycliffe debate his fate. Despite Daryl demonstrating emotions and human growth, the project is deemed a failure and he is scheduled for termination. The Richardsons fight to get him back.
Collapse
Daryl is placed in an airplane rigged to crash as part of his termination protocol - a literal death scenario. The plane explodes and crashes, and he is presumed destroyed.
Crisis
The Richardsons grieve the loss of Daryl. The darkness of his apparent death hangs over everyone who cared about him. Questions about humanity, compassion, and the value of artificial life remain unresolved.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Daryl reveals he survived by ejecting from the plane, using both his artificial capabilities AND the human survival instinct he learned from his family. He chooses to return home rather than remain hidden.
Synthesis
Daryl makes his way back home, evading military pursuit. Dr. Stewart helps him escape, recognizing his humanity. Daryl is reunited with the Richardson family, who fully accept him for who he is - both machine and human.
Transformation
Daryl plays with Turtle and the family in a normal, joyful scene - mirroring the early images of suburban childhood but now with full knowledge of who he is. He has integrated his dual nature: no longer just a wandering artificial boy, but a real son who chose his family.