God's Own Country
Spring. Yorkshire. Isolated young sheep farmer Johnny Saxby numbs his daily frustrations with binge drinking and casual sex, until the arrival of a Romanian migrant worker Gheorghe, employed for the lambing season, ignites an intense relationship that sets Johnny on a new path.
The film earned $2.6M at the global box office.
Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award32 wins & 39 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%)
God's Own Country (2017) showcases meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Francis Lee's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 45 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Johnny wakes up alone after a drunken one-night stand, establishing his isolated, emotionally disconnected life on the Yorkshire farm. He drinks heavily and engages in anonymous, joyless encounters.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Gheorghe, a Romanian migrant worker, arrives at the farm to help during lambing season. Johnny is immediately hostile and resentful of this intrusion into his isolated world.. 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 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 23% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Johnny and Gheorghe are forced to work closely together during a difficult lambing in the fields. Despite Johnny's resistance, a grudging partnership begins to form through shared labor., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 76 minutes (72% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, After a particularly cruel rejection by Johnny, Gheorghe decides to leave the farm. Johnny watches him pack, unable to express his feelings. The relationship appears dead, killed by Johnny's inability to be vulnerable., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Johnny finds Gheorghe at the bus station/new job location. For the first time, he openly expresses his feelings, asking Gheorghe to come back and admitting he needs him. He risks complete vulnerability., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
God's Own Country's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping God's Own Country against these established plot points, we can identify how Francis Lee utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish God's Own Country 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
Johnny wakes up alone after a drunken one-night stand, establishing his isolated, emotionally disconnected life on the Yorkshire farm. He drinks heavily and engages in anonymous, joyless encounters.
Theme
Johnny's father Martin, weakened by stroke, tells him he needs help but Johnny resists. The theme of needing others versus self-reliance is established through their tense relationship.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Johnny's harsh routine: caring for sheep, drinking at night, having emotionless sex, avoiding his father. The bleak Yorkshire landscape mirrors his emotional barrenness. His grandmother is the only one who shows him warmth.
Disruption
Gheorghe, a Romanian migrant worker, arrives at the farm to help during lambing season. Johnny is immediately hostile and resentful of this intrusion into his isolated world.
Resistance
Johnny resists Gheorghe at every turn, treating him with contempt and cruelty. Gheorghe quietly demonstrates competence, care for the animals, and emotional openness that contrasts with Johnny's closed-off nature.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Johnny and Gheorghe are forced to work closely together during a difficult lambing in the fields. Despite Johnny's resistance, a grudging partnership begins to form through shared labor.
Premise
Johnny and Gheorghe develop a sexual and emotional relationship. Gheorghe teaches Johnny tenderness, care for animals, and emotional presence. Johnny begins to soften, showing moments of vulnerability and connection.
Opposition
Johnny's fear of vulnerability and shame about his feelings cause him to pull away. He returns to drinking and cruel behavior, pushing Gheorghe away. His internalized homophobia and fear of dependency surface.
Collapse
After a particularly cruel rejection by Johnny, Gheorghe decides to leave the farm. Johnny watches him pack, unable to express his feelings. The relationship appears dead, killed by Johnny's inability to be vulnerable.
Crisis
Johnny processes his loss. His grandmother confronts him gently about pushing people away. He sits alone in the emptiness of the farm, finally confronting what his isolation has cost him.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Johnny finds Gheorghe at the bus station/new job location. For the first time, he openly expresses his feelings, asking Gheorghe to come back and admitting he needs him. He risks complete vulnerability.