Deep Impact

The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Leo Biederman observes stars at astronomy club, living ordinary teenage life before the discovery that will change everything.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.

The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when President Beck announces on live television that a comet will strike Earth in one year, ending life as humanity knows it. The world's reality fractures.. 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 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 42% of the runtime—significantly early, compressing the first half. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat The Messiah mission fails - detonation splits comet into two pieces, both still on collision course. False victory becomes crushing defeat. Stakes escalate from "save the world" to "some will survive, most will die."., 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 (62% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Smaller comet fragment impacts ocean. Mega-tsunami devastates coastlines. Whiff of death: millions perish including Jenny's father who sacrifices himself. The world as we knew it dies., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.

The Synthesis at 79 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 66% of the runtime. Messiah crew executes suicide mission, destroying the larger fragment and saving most of humanity. Leo and Sarah reunite. Jenny broadcasts the crew's heroism. Survivors emerge from shelters to rebuild., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.