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 (2010) reveals strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Tarō Ōtani's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 56 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Sam and Molly in their newly renovated loft apartment, happy and in love. Sam playfully avoids saying "I love you," responding with "ditto." Their world is full of promise and intimacy.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Sam is shot and killed during an apparent mugging attempt in the street. He watches helplessly as Molly discovers his dead body. The love story becomes a ghost story.. 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Sam chooses to actively pursue the truth about his murder. He follows the mugger to find out who hired him and discovers his friend Carl is involved. Sam commits to protecting Molly from beyond the grave., 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 Molly begins to believe in Oda Mae after Sam provides specific information only he would know (including the word "ditto"). False victory: Sam can now communicate with Molly, but she's still in danger and he still can't touch her., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 85 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Carl takes Molly hostage. Oda Mae is captured by the drug dealers. Sam's power seems insufficient to save either of them. The "whiff of death": Carl threatens to kill Molly just as he orchestrated Sam's murder., shows 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 79% of the runtime. Sam fully embraces his power, using his rage and love to become a poltergeist. He synthesizes everything he learned: emotion gives him strength, love transcends death. He's no longer afraid of his power or his feelings., 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 systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Ghost against these established plot points, we can identify how Tarō Ōtani 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 short genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional short films include This Is England, Chloe and What Remains.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Sam and Molly in their newly renovated loft apartment, happy and in love. Sam playfully avoids saying "I love you," responding with "ditto." Their world is full of promise and intimacy.
Theme
Oda Mae Brown's mother tells young Oda Mae: "You got a gift. Don't be afraid of it." The theme of accepting spiritual gifts and connecting across boundaries is established.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Sam and Molly's life together: their apartment renovation, Sam's work at the bank with Carl, their friend dynamics, and Sam's discomfort with emotional vulnerability. Sam discovers irregularities in bank accounts.
Disruption
Sam is shot and killed during an apparent mugging attempt in the street. He watches helplessly as Molly discovers his dead body. The love story becomes a ghost story.
Resistance
Sam discovers he's a ghost. He follows Molly, unable to communicate with her. He meets a hostile subway ghost who teaches him the rules of being dead. Sam learns his murder wasn't random when he sees the mugger searching his apartment.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Sam chooses to actively pursue the truth about his murder. He follows the mugger to find out who hired him and discovers his friend Carl is involved. Sam commits to protecting Molly from beyond the grave.
Mirror World
Sam discovers Oda Mae Brown, a fake psychic who can actually hear him. She represents the bridge between worlds and will teach Sam about faith, love, and the power of connection beyond physical boundaries.
Premise
Sam learns to interact with the physical world through Oda Mae. He convinces her to warn Molly about the danger. Carl moves in on Molly romantically. Sam masters moving objects through emotion and trains with the subway ghost. The premise: a ghost protecting his love.
Midpoint
Molly begins to believe in Oda Mae after Sam provides specific information only he would know (including the word "ditto"). False victory: Sam can now communicate with Molly, but she's still in danger and he still can't touch her.
Opposition
Carl realizes Molly is getting too close to the truth. He becomes more desperate and dangerous. Sam foils Carl's attempts to access the blood money account. The drug dealers Carl stole from become involved. Tension escalates as Carl directly threatens Molly.
Collapse
Carl takes Molly hostage. Oda Mae is captured by the drug dealers. Sam's power seems insufficient to save either of them. The "whiff of death": Carl threatens to kill Molly just as he orchestrated Sam's murder.
Crisis
Sam must face his limitations as a ghost while fighting to save both women. He struggles against Carl and the criminals, discovering the full extent of his abilities born from pure love and desperation.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Sam fully embraces his power, using his rage and love to become a poltergeist. He synthesizes everything he learned: emotion gives him strength, love transcends death. He's no longer afraid of his power or his feelings.
Synthesis
Sam defeats the criminals and Carl. Carl is killed and dragged to hell by shadow demons. Sam saves both Molly and Oda Mae. The money is returned. A heavenly light appears for Sam, but he has one final moment.
Transformation
Sam becomes visible to Molly one last time. He finally says "I love you" instead of "ditto." Molly responds "ditto." Sam ascends into the light. Love transcends death, and Sam has learned to express what he couldn't in life.