Disobedience
New York photographer Ronit flies to London after learning about the death of her estranged father. Ronit is returning to the same Orthodox Jewish community that shunned her decades earlier for her childhood attraction to Esti, a female friend. Their fortuitous and happy reunion soon reignites their burning passion as the two women explore the boundaries of faith and sexuality.
Working with a limited budget of $6.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $8.0M in global revenue (+33% 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%)
Disobedience (2018) demonstrates precise plot construction, characteristic of Sebastián Lelio's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 54 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ronit gives a lecture on photography in New York, living a secular life far from her Orthodox Jewish roots. She appears disconnected and going through the motions of her cosmopolitan existence.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Ronit receives a phone call informing her that her estranged father, Rav Krushka, has died suddenly. This forces her to confront the world she fled and the relationships she abandoned.. 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Ronit decides to stay in London for the funeral and Shiva period despite the community's hostility. She moves into her father's house, actively choosing to remain in this uncomfortable space and confront her past., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 85 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Dovid discovers the truth about Ronit and Esti's relationship. He confronts Esti, and the fragile structure of their marriage and her place in the community collapses. Esti's carefully maintained facade dies, leaving her exposed and vulnerable., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 91 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The aftermath of Esti's revelation. Dovid and Esti find a moment of honest compassion, releasing each other from their impossible marriage. Ronit and Esti share a tender goodbye that honors their love while accepting they must walk separate paths. Each character integrates their journey., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Disobedience's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Disobedience against these established plot points, we can identify how Sebastián Lelio utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Disobedience within the drama genre.
Sebastián Lelio's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Sebastián Lelio films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Disobedience takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Sebastián Lelio filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Sebastián Lelio analyses, see Gloria Bell.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ronit gives a lecture on photography in New York, living a secular life far from her Orthodox Jewish roots. She appears disconnected and going through the motions of her cosmopolitan existence.
Theme
During a synagogue scene, Rav Krushka delivers a sermon about free will and choice in the context of obedience to God, asking "How can we be free to choose when we are slaves to our impulses?" This establishes the central thematic tension between desire and duty.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Ronit's New York life and the Orthodox Jewish community in London through parallel scenes. We meet Dovid and Esti living constrained lives in the religious community, while Ronit exists in apparent freedom but emotional isolation.
Disruption
Ronit receives a phone call informing her that her estranged father, Rav Krushka, has died suddenly. This forces her to confront the world she fled and the relationships she abandoned.
Resistance
Ronit debates whether to return to London, then makes the journey. She arrives at the community and faces cold reception, discovering that Esti married Dovid, her former lover and childhood friend. Tension and unresolved history permeate every interaction.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ronit decides to stay in London for the funeral and Shiva period despite the community's hostility. She moves into her father's house, actively choosing to remain in this uncomfortable space and confront her past.
Premise
Ronit navigates the Orthodox community while the forbidden attraction between her and Esti reignites. They steal moments together, remembering their past relationship. Dovid remains unaware as he prepares to succeed Rav Krushka. The tension between desire and duty intensifies.
Opposition
The affair continues in stolen moments while external pressure mounts. Esti begins to unravel under the weight of her double life. Dovid grows suspicious. The community's expectations and judgment close in. Ronit must decide whether to stay or return to New York, and Esti faces the impossibility of her position.
Collapse
Dovid discovers the truth about Ronit and Esti's relationship. He confronts Esti, and the fragile structure of their marriage and her place in the community collapses. Esti's carefully maintained facade dies, leaving her exposed and vulnerable.
Crisis
Esti and Dovid sit in devastating silence, processing the destruction of their marriage. Ronit prepares to leave London. All three characters face the dark night of their souls, alone with the consequences of desire, duty, and deception.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The aftermath of Esti's revelation. Dovid and Esti find a moment of honest compassion, releasing each other from their impossible marriage. Ronit and Esti share a tender goodbye that honors their love while accepting they must walk separate paths. Each character integrates their journey.