Finch
On a post-apocalyptic Earth, a robot, built to protect the life of his creator's beloved dog learns about life, love, friendship and what it means to be human.
Produced on a modest budget of $2.5M, the film represents a independent production.
2 wins & 5 nominations
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%)
Finch (2021) demonstrates carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Miguel Sapochnik's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 55 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.3, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Finch Weinberg
Jeff
Goodyear
Main Cast & Characters
Finch Weinberg
Played by Tom Hanks
A dying robotics engineer who survived a solar flare apocalypse, building a robot to care for his dog after his death.
Jeff
Played by Caleb Landry Jones
A newly-created humanoid robot learning about life, humanity, and responsibility as Finch's legacy caretaker.
Goodyear
Played by Seamus
Finch's loyal canine companion, the emotional anchor and reason for all of Finch's survival efforts.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Finch scavenges in the devastated, sun-scorched ruins of St. Louis with Goodyear, wearing a hazmat suit against the deadly UV radiation, establishing his solitary post-apocalyptic existence.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when A massive superstorm appears on the weather monitors, a 40-day storm heading directly for St. Louis, forcing Finch to abandon the safety of his bunker before Jeff is fully trained.. 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Finch drives the RV out of the bunker and into the unknown wasteland, leaving behind the only safety he's known for years, committing to the dangerous journey west to San Francisco with an untested robot., moving from reaction to action.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Finch collapses from his worsening radiation sickness, revealing the full extent of his illness to Jeff for the first time. The false victory of their journey together gives way to the reality that Finch is dying faster than expected., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Finch, near death, finally tells Jeff the full truth about the dark days after the flare - how he watched a mother killed for a can of food and did nothing. He confesses his deepest shame and fear that he's not good enough to have taught Jeff anything worthwhile., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 92 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Jeff demonstrates he's learned the most important lesson - not from Finch's words but from his actions. He tells Finch that despite everything, Finch chose to save Goodyear, chose to build Jeff, chose love over fear. Jeff is ready., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Finch's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Finch against these established plot points, we can identify how Miguel Sapochnik utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Finch within the adventure genre.
Miguel Sapochnik's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Miguel Sapochnik films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.4, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Finch takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Miguel Sapochnik filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include The Black Stallion, The Bad Guys and Puss in Boots. For more Miguel Sapochnik analyses, see Repo Men.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Finch scavenges in the devastated, sun-scorched ruins of St. Louis with Goodyear, wearing a hazmat suit against the deadly UV radiation, establishing his solitary post-apocalyptic existence.
Theme
Finch reads to the newly activated Jeff from a book about trust, stating that trust must be earned through actions over time - foreshadowing Jeff's journey to become trustworthy enough to care for Goodyear.
Worldbuilding
We learn about the solar flare that destroyed the ozone layer, Finch's underground bunker laboratory, his radiation sickness, and his desperate project to build a robot (Jeff) who can care for Goodyear after he dies.
Disruption
A massive superstorm appears on the weather monitors, a 40-day storm heading directly for St. Louis, forcing Finch to abandon the safety of his bunker before Jeff is fully trained.
Resistance
Finch hastily prepares the RV for departure while struggling with Jeff's childlike behavior and lack of understanding. He debates whether Jeff can ever be trusted with Goodyear, establishing the four directives Jeff must follow.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Finch drives the RV out of the bunker and into the unknown wasteland, leaving behind the only safety he's known for years, committing to the dangerous journey west to San Francisco with an untested robot.
Mirror World
Jeff begins asking profound questions about human nature and why Finch doesn't trust other people. Their relationship shifts from creator-creation to something more like father-son as Jeff demonstrates genuine curiosity about humanity.
Premise
The road trip unfolds with Finch teaching Jeff about the world: driving lessons, music, food, memories of the old world. Jeff learns to walk, develops a personality, and bonds with both Finch and Goodyear through various misadventures.
Midpoint
Finch collapses from his worsening radiation sickness, revealing the full extent of his illness to Jeff for the first time. The false victory of their journey together gives way to the reality that Finch is dying faster than expected.
Opposition
Finch's health deteriorates rapidly while Jeff struggles to understand mortality and his purpose. They encounter remnants of human violence, Finch shares the traumatic story of why he doesn't trust people, and tensions rise over Jeff's readiness.
Collapse
Finch, near death, finally tells Jeff the full truth about the dark days after the flare - how he watched a mother killed for a can of food and did nothing. He confesses his deepest shame and fear that he's not good enough to have taught Jeff anything worthwhile.
Crisis
Jeff processes Finch's confession and the weight of responsibility he's inheriting. Finch questions whether he's done enough, whether Jeff truly understands what it means to care for another living being.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jeff demonstrates he's learned the most important lesson - not from Finch's words but from his actions. He tells Finch that despite everything, Finch chose to save Goodyear, chose to build Jeff, chose love over fear. Jeff is ready.
Synthesis
Finch peacefully passes away knowing Goodyear will be cared for. Jeff buries him with dignity and continues the journey to San Francisco, fulfilling his purpose while honoring Finch's memory and the lessons he learned.
Transformation
Jeff and Goodyear reach the Golden Gate Bridge, standing in actual sunlight as the UV levels finally become safe. Jeff, now calling himself "Jeff Weinberg," plays fetch with Goodyear - a complete being who has inherited Finch's humanity and love.