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 small-scale 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) exhibits meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Miguel Sapochnik's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-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.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Finch, a dying robotics engineer, scavenges alone in a post-apocalyptic world devastated by solar radiation, living in an underground bunker with his dog Goodyear. His world is one of isolation, survival, and deteriorating health.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Finch discovers a massive storm system approaching that will last 40 days and destroy his bunker. He realizes he must leave his safe haven and journey west to San Francisco to survive.. 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.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Jeff makes a critical driving error that nearly kills them all, flipping the RV. This false defeat forces Finch to confront Jeff's limitations and his own mortality—he may not have enough time to teach Jeff everything needed to protect Goodyear., 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 collapses from his illness and has a violent seizure. He admits to Jeff that he won't make it to San Francisco, confronting his imminent death. This is Finch's lowest point—the whiff of death is literal., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 92 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. They reach San Francisco. Finch, now extremely weak, shares final moments of beauty with Jeff and Goodyear—watching butterflies, experiencing the Golden Gate Bridge. Finch peacefully accepts his death, having fulfilled his purpose of ensuring Goodyear will be loved and protected., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Finch's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 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 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more Miguel Sapochnik analyses, see Repo Men.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Finch, a dying robotics engineer, scavenges alone in a post-apocalyptic world devastated by solar radiation, living in an underground bunker with his dog Goodyear. His world is one of isolation, survival, and deteriorating health.
Theme
Finch tells Goodyear, "You have to trust somebody sometime," hinting at the film's exploration of trust, connection, and what it means to care for others in a broken world.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Finch's routine: scavenging for supplies in protective gear, monitoring radiation levels, maintaining his bunker, and building a robot companion. We learn Earth was devastated by a solar flare that destroyed the ozone layer, and Finch is dying from radiation exposure.
Disruption
Finch discovers a massive storm system approaching that will last 40 days and destroy his bunker. He realizes he must leave his safe haven and journey west to San Francisco to survive.
Resistance
Finch rushes to complete his robot, Jeff, activating him prematurely. Jeff must rapidly learn about the world, language, and his purpose: to care for Goodyear after Finch dies. Finch prepares the RV and debates whether Jeff is ready for the journey.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The journey unfolds as Finch teaches Jeff about life, humanity, and responsibility. Jeff learns to drive, experiences music and stories, and bonds with Goodyear. Finch shares memories through old photos and stories, while struggling with his deteriorating condition.
Midpoint
Jeff makes a critical driving error that nearly kills them all, flipping the RV. This false defeat forces Finch to confront Jeff's limitations and his own mortality—he may not have enough time to teach Jeff everything needed to protect Goodyear.
Opposition
Tension escalates as Finch's health worsens and his patience with Jeff's mistakes runs thin. They encounter other humans (a potential threat), repair the RV, and face the reality that Finch is running out of time. Trust becomes increasingly difficult as Finch struggles to relinquish control.
Collapse
Finch collapses from his illness and has a violent seizure. He admits to Jeff that he won't make it to San Francisco, confronting his imminent death. This is Finch's lowest point—the whiff of death is literal.
Crisis
Finch grapples with his failure and fear. He reveals the painful truth about how he found Goodyear—abandoned and starving—and his own guilt and loneliness. The emotional darkness centers on whether Jeff truly understands his responsibility.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
They reach San Francisco. Finch, now extremely weak, shares final moments of beauty with Jeff and Goodyear—watching butterflies, experiencing the Golden Gate Bridge. Finch peacefully accepts his death, having fulfilled his purpose of ensuring Goodyear will be loved and protected.