Flowers in the Attic
Dreams of an inheritance turn into a nightmare for four innocent children. Locked in the deserted north wing of the family mansion. Beaten by a vicious grandmother. Tormented by a menacing caretaker. Starved and left alone to wither - and perhaps die - like FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC. Their only hope lies in escape. But a horrible truth awaits them in the main house - a truth that will push the children toward a dizzying and violent solution. FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC - living proof that even the prettiest flowers can grow deadly in the attic's darkness.
The film earned $15.2M at the global box office.
1 win & 1 nomination
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%)
Flowers in the Attic (1987) showcases deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Jeffrey Bloom's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 33 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The Dollanganger family lives in idyllic happiness - father Christopher, mother Corrine, and four children (Cathy, Chris, and twins Cory and Carrie) in their beautiful home. Opening image of perfect family life before tragedy strikes.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Father dies in car accident. The family's perfect world shatters, leaving them destitute and forcing Corrine to return to the parents who disowned her, setting the nightmare in motion.. 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.
The First Threshold at 21 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 23% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Children reluctantly accept their imprisonment in the attic, choosing to endure for their mother's sake. They cross into captivity, beginning their descent into a world of psychological torment and abuse., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Corrine announces she's remarrying and will take children away soon - a false hope. Children celebrate, but audience sees she's lying. Stakes raise as mother's betrayal becomes evident and grandfather's death complicates inheritance., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Cory dies from poisoning (arsenic in powdered donuts). The literal "whiff of death" - the youngest, most innocent child perishes. Children's hope dies with him as they understand their mother intended to kill them all for inheritance., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Chris discovers grandmother's keys. Children realize they can escape and must take control of their fate. Synthesis of survival skills learned during captivity with newfound determination to expose the truth and live., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Flowers in the Attic's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Flowers in the Attic against these established plot points, we can identify how Jeffrey Bloom utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Flowers in the Attic within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The Dollanganger family lives in idyllic happiness - father Christopher, mother Corrine, and four children (Cathy, Chris, and twins Cory and Carrie) in their beautiful home. Opening image of perfect family life before tragedy strikes.
Theme
Cathy asks her mother about trust and family secrets. Corrine responds ambiguously about the past, foreshadowing themes of deception, innocence lost, and the corrupting nature of family secrets.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the loving family dynamic, the children's personalities, and their secure world. Father's sudden death in car accident. Corrine reveals they are penniless and must return to her estranged wealthy parents at Foxworth Hall.
Disruption
Father dies in car accident. The family's perfect world shatters, leaving them destitute and forcing Corrine to return to the parents who disowned her, setting the nightmare in motion.
Resistance
Journey to Foxworth Hall. Grandmother's terrifying introduction with her rigid rules and cruelty. Children hidden in single locked bedroom. Corrine promises it's temporary - just until she wins back her inheritance. Children debate whether to trust mother's plan.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Children reluctantly accept their imprisonment in the attic, choosing to endure for their mother's sake. They cross into captivity, beginning their descent into a world of psychological torment and abuse.
Mirror World
Cathy and Chris discover the attic - a vast, mysterious space that becomes their refuge. Their growing bond and mutual reliance represents the story's exploration of forbidden love and survival through connection.
Premise
Children adapt to attic life, creating routines and finding small joys. Grandmother's abuse escalates with tar in Cathy's hair. Corrine's visits become less frequent. Chris and Cathy mature, their relationship deepening. Twins grow weak and sickly.
Midpoint
Corrine announces she's remarrying and will take children away soon - a false hope. Children celebrate, but audience sees she's lying. Stakes raise as mother's betrayal becomes evident and grandfather's death complicates inheritance.
Opposition
Months pass with no rescue. Corrine's visits stop almost entirely. Grandmother's cruelty intensifies. Cory grows dangerously ill. Chris and Cathy's relationship crosses forbidden lines. Children realize mother has abandoned them for wealth.
Collapse
Cory dies from poisoning (arsenic in powdered donuts). The literal "whiff of death" - the youngest, most innocent child perishes. Children's hope dies with him as they understand their mother intended to kill them all for inheritance.
Crisis
Grief and rage consume the children. Cathy confronts the full horror of betrayal. They mourn Cory and process that their mother values money over their lives. Dark night of despair before finding resolve to escape.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Chris discovers grandmother's keys. Children realize they can escape and must take control of their fate. Synthesis of survival skills learned during captivity with newfound determination to expose the truth and live.
Synthesis
Daring escape from locked room through mansion during Corrine's wedding reception. Confrontation with mother who denies nothing and shows no remorse. Children flee Foxworth Hall with Cory's body, choosing freedom and truth over corrupted family.
Transformation
Children drive away from Foxworth Hall into uncertain future. Closing image shows them damaged but surviving - innocence destroyed, childhood stolen, family shattered. Dark transformation from trusting children to traumatized survivors.