Deliver Us from Evil
When a frightening wave of violence sweeps through New York City, troubled cop Sarchie fails to find a rational explanation for the bizarre crimes. However, his eyes are opened to a frightening alternate reality when renegade Jesuit priest Mendoza convinces him that demonic possession may be to blame for the gruesome murders. Together, they wage a valiant supernatural struggle to rid the city of an otherworldly evil.
Despite a moderate budget of $30.0M, Deliver Us from Evil became a financial success, earning $87.9M worldwide—a 193% return.
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%)
Deliver Us from Evil (2014) exemplifies meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Scott Derrickson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 58 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ralph Sarchie on night patrol in the Bronx, a hardened NYPD sergeant who relies only on what he can see and prove, skeptical of anything spiritual.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Called to a domestic disturbance at the Bronx Zoo where a woman has thrown her child into the lion's den. The crime scene has strange markings and an eerie, malevolent atmosphere.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. 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 indicates the protagonist's commitment to Sarchie meets Father Mendoza at a crime scene and reluctantly agrees to work with the unconventional priest to investigate the supernatural elements, crossing into a world he doesn't believe in., moving from reaction to action.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Sarchie discovers that Santino, one of the possessed soldiers, has been painting demonic symbols and the entity is far more powerful than anticipated. The stakes escalate when the demon targets Sarchie's family., 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, Butler dies from his injuries and Sarchie finds his own home desecrated with demonic symbols. The demon has taken everything from him and threatens his wife and daughter directly., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 94 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Sarchie and Mendoza perform an exorcism on Santino in a final confrontation. Sarchie uses both his detective skills and newfound faith to resist the demon's attacks and cast it out., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Deliver Us from Evil's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Deliver Us from Evil against these established plot points, we can identify how Scott Derrickson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Deliver Us from Evil within the thriller genre.
Scott Derrickson's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Scott Derrickson films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Deliver Us from Evil represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Scott Derrickson filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional thriller films include Eye for an Eye, Lake Placid and Operation Finale. For more Scott Derrickson analyses, see The Day the Earth Stood Still, Sinister and The Exorcism of Emily Rose.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ralph Sarchie on night patrol in the Bronx, a hardened NYPD sergeant who relies only on what he can see and prove, skeptical of anything spiritual.
Theme
Sarchie's partner Butler mentions that some things in this world can't be explained by evidence alone, hinting at the supernatural forces beyond rational understanding.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Sarchie's troubled home life with wife Jen and daughter, his partnership with Butler, and the dark streets of the South Bronx they patrol. His "radar" for sensing evil is introduced.
Disruption
Called to a domestic disturbance at the Bronx Zoo where a woman has thrown her child into the lion's den. The crime scene has strange markings and an eerie, malevolent atmosphere.
Resistance
Sarchie investigates connected cases - a domestic violence call, scratching sounds in walls, bizarre behavior. He resists supernatural explanations despite mounting evidence of demonic activity.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Sarchie meets Father Mendoza at a crime scene and reluctantly agrees to work with the unconventional priest to investigate the supernatural elements, crossing into a world he doesn't believe in.
Mirror World
Father Mendoza becomes Sarchie's spiritual guide, representing faith and the unseen world. Their partnership explores the theme of belief versus skepticism as they track demonic possessions.
Premise
Sarchie and Mendoza investigate the connected cases, discovering they all trace back to three soldiers who encountered a demon in Iraq. The possession spreads as they hunt the primary host.
Midpoint
Sarchie discovers that Santino, one of the possessed soldiers, has been painting demonic symbols and the entity is far more powerful than anticipated. The stakes escalate when the demon targets Sarchie's family.
Opposition
The demon intensifies attacks on Sarchie and those around him. His partner Butler is brutally attacked, Sarchie's family is threatened, and his skepticism crumbles as evil closes in from all sides.
Collapse
Butler dies from his injuries and Sarchie finds his own home desecrated with demonic symbols. The demon has taken everything from him and threatens his wife and daughter directly.
Crisis
Sarchie breaks down, overwhelmed by grief and the reality of evil he can no longer deny. He must confront his loss of control and his need to embrace faith to save his family.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Sarchie and Mendoza perform an exorcism on Santino in a final confrontation. Sarchie uses both his detective skills and newfound faith to resist the demon's attacks and cast it out.