D.O.A.
Dexter Cornell, an English Professor, becomes embroiled in a series of murders involving people around him. Dexter has good reason to want to find the murderer but hasn't much time. He finds help and comfort from one of his students, Sydney Fuller.
The film earned $12.7M 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%)
D.O.A. (1988) demonstrates carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Annabel Jankel's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 36 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 Dexter Cornell, English professor at UT Austin, is in a comfortable but stagnant relationship with student Sydney Fuller. He's complacent, cynical about his writing, and coasting through life.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when At a faculty Christmas party, Dexter unknowingly drinks poisoned liquor. He wakes up the next day feeling ill and learns from doctors that he has been fatally poisoned with a slow-acting toxin.. 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.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False defeat: Dexter discovers the conspiracy goes deeper than expected, involving powerful people. An attempt is made on Sydney's life, raising stakes and making the investigation more dangerous. Time is running out., 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, All seems lost: Dexter's body is failing rapidly, the killers seem unstoppable, and a key ally or lead dies. Dexter confronts his own imminent death and the possibility he won't solve his murder or save Sydney., indicates 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. Final confrontation: Dexter faces the killer, exposes the conspiracy, fights to protect Sydney, and brings justice before the poison claims him. He acts decisively, no longer the passive cynic from the beginning., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
D.O.A.'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 D.O.A. against these established plot points, we can identify how Annabel Jankel utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish D.O.A. within the mystery genre.
Annabel Jankel's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Annabel Jankel films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. D.O.A. takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Annabel Jankel filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional mystery films include Oblivion, From Darkness and American Gigolo. For more Annabel Jankel analyses, see Super Mario Bros..
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Dexter Cornell, English professor at UT Austin, is in a comfortable but stagnant relationship with student Sydney Fuller. He's complacent, cynical about his writing, and coasting through life.
Theme
A colleague or student discusses the difference between merely existing and truly living, foreshadowing Dexter's journey from passivity to action when faced with mortality.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Dexter's world: his teaching job, his relationship with Sydney, his failed writing career, his drinking habits, and his general dissatisfaction masked by cynicism.
Disruption
At a faculty Christmas party, Dexter unknowingly drinks poisoned liquor. He wakes up the next day feeling ill and learns from doctors that he has been fatally poisoned with a slow-acting toxin.
Resistance
Dexter grapples with his death sentence. He debates what to do with his remaining time, processes the shock, and begins to piece together who might have wanted him dead and why.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The investigation unfolds: Dexter and Sydney chase leads involving a student's mysterious manuscript, connecting it to plagiarism, murder, and a conspiracy. The noir detective elements deliver on the premise.
Midpoint
False defeat: Dexter discovers the conspiracy goes deeper than expected, involving powerful people. An attempt is made on Sydney's life, raising stakes and making the investigation more dangerous. Time is running out.
Opposition
The antagonists close in. Dexter's physical condition deteriorates as the poison progresses. The conspiracy becomes clearer but more dangerous. Sydney and Dexter face increasing violence and threats.
Collapse
All seems lost: Dexter's body is failing rapidly, the killers seem unstoppable, and a key ally or lead dies. Dexter confronts his own imminent death and the possibility he won't solve his murder or save Sydney.
Crisis
Dexter's dark night: facing mortality, he must decide what matters most. He processes grief, rage, and fear, ultimately finding clarity about what he wants his final acts to mean.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Final confrontation: Dexter faces the killer, exposes the conspiracy, fights to protect Sydney, and brings justice before the poison claims him. He acts decisively, no longer the passive cynic from the beginning.
Transformation
Dexter dies, but transformed: he lived more fully in his final days than in years of sleepwalking through life. Sydney survives, carrying forward what their relationship meant. The closing mirrors the opening but shows profound change.