Ghost
Sam Wheat is a banker, Molly Jensen is an artist, and the two are madly in love. However, when Sam is murdered by friend and corrupt business partner Carl Bruner over a shady business deal, he is left to roam the Earth as a powerless spirit. When he learns of Carl's betrayal, Sam must seek the help of psychic Oda Mae Brown to set things right and protect Molly from Carl and his goons.
Despite a moderate budget of $22.0M, Ghost became a massive hit, earning $505.0M worldwide—a remarkable 2195% return.
2 Oscars. 18 wins & 24 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%)
Ghost (1990) exhibits meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Jerry Zucker's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 7 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Sam and Molly renovating their loft apartment together, deeply in love, playfully working on the pottery wheel - establishing their perfect relationship before tragedy strikes.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Sam is shot and killed during a mugging attempt in the street. His ghost watches helplessly as Molly discovers his body, disrupting their perfect life forever.. 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 32 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Sam makes the active choice to protect Molly and seek justice. He follows Carl and discovers the conspiracy, committing to stay and fight rather than move on to the afterlife., moving from reaction to action.
At 64 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Molly begins to believe Oda Mae might be real when she reveals private information only Sam would know (the penny, "ditto"). False victory - connection seems possible, but danger escalates., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 95 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Willie is killed by a car and dragged to hell by shadow demons. Sam witnesses what awaits the damned, realizes the stakes of his mission, and fears for Molly as Carl moves in on her. Death is literal., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 102 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Sam fully masters his ability to move objects and realizes he must confront Carl directly. He synthesizes his earthly determination with his spiritual power - ready for the final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Ghost'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 Ghost against these established plot points, we can identify how Jerry Zucker utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Ghost within the drama genre.
Jerry Zucker's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Jerry Zucker films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.5, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Ghost takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jerry Zucker filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Jerry Zucker analyses, see First Knight, Rat Race.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Sam and Molly renovating their loft apartment together, deeply in love, playfully working on the pottery wheel - establishing their perfect relationship before tragedy strikes.
Theme
Molly tells Sam "I love you" and he responds with "Ditto" - establishing the theme that love transcends all boundaries, even death, and the importance of expressing true feelings.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Sam and Molly's life: their apartment renovation, Sam's banking job with Carl, their social circle, establishing Sam's pragmatic nature versus Molly's spiritual openness.
Disruption
Sam is shot and killed during a mugging attempt in the street. His ghost watches helplessly as Molly discovers his body, disrupting their perfect life forever.
Resistance
Sam's ghost learns the rules of his new existence, discovers he can't communicate with the living, realizes his murder was not random, and finds that Carl may be involved in his death.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Sam makes the active choice to protect Molly and seek justice. He follows Carl and discovers the conspiracy, committing to stay and fight rather than move on to the afterlife.
Mirror World
Sam discovers Oda Mae Brown, a fraudulent psychic who can actually hear him. She represents the bridge between worlds and will teach Sam about faith, belief, and the power of love.
Premise
Sam learns to interact with the physical world, trains Oda Mae to help him, attempts to warn Molly through Oda Mae, and investigates the money laundering scheme - the "fun" of ghost powers.
Midpoint
Molly begins to believe Oda Mae might be real when she reveals private information only Sam would know (the penny, "ditto"). False victory - connection seems possible, but danger escalates.
Opposition
Carl becomes suspicious and violent, sending the mugger Willie after Oda Mae. Sam's ghostly powers grow but so does the danger. Molly becomes Carl's target as he manipulates her emotionally.
Collapse
Willie is killed by a car and dragged to hell by shadow demons. Sam witnesses what awaits the damned, realizes the stakes of his mission, and fears for Molly as Carl moves in on her. Death is literal.
Crisis
Sam's dark night: he's witnessed damnation, Carl is getting closer to Molly, time is running out. He must fully embrace his ghostly powers and accept that love is stronger than death.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Sam fully masters his ability to move objects and realizes he must confront Carl directly. He synthesizes his earthly determination with his spiritual power - ready for the final confrontation.
Synthesis
Sam protects Molly from Carl's attack, uses his powers to terrify Carl into fleeing, Carl dies and is dragged to hell. Sam and Molly get their moment of goodbye as Molly can finally see and hear him.
Transformation
Sam finally says "I love you" instead of "ditto" to Molly before ascending to heaven, bathed in light. Molly has learned to believe in the spiritual, Sam has learned to express love - both transformed.