Guilty as Sin
Before a criminal lawyer knows what has happened, she is forced to defend a wife killer she knows is guilty.
Working with a small-scale budget of $12.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $22.9M in global revenue (+91% profit margin).
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%)
Guilty as Sin (1993) showcases carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Sidney Lumet's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Jennifer Haines
David Greenhill
Phil Garson
Moe
Detective Frank Dulaney
Main Cast & Characters
Jennifer Haines
Played by Rebecca De Mornay
A successful defense attorney who becomes dangerously entangled with a seductive client accused of murder.
David Greenhill
Played by Don Johnson
A charming, manipulative client accused of murdering his wife, who may be more dangerous than he appears.
Phil Garson
Played by Stephen Lang
Jennifer's ex-husband and fellow attorney who becomes concerned about her involvement with Greenhill.
Moe
Played by Jack Warden
Jennifer's street-smart private investigator who helps uncover the truth about Greenhill.
Detective Frank Dulaney
Played by Dana Ivey
The investigating detective convinced of Greenhill's guilt who warns Jennifer about her client.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jennifer Haines confidently wins a case in court, establishing her as a brilliant, successful defense attorney at the top of her game. She's in control of her professional world.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when David Greenhill charmingly persuades Jennifer to take his case despite her initial reluctance. His charisma and the high-profile nature of the case disrupt her careful professional boundaries.. At 12% 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Jennifer fully commits to David's defense, making the active choice to take the case to trial. She crosses the threshold from investigator to advocate, entering the world of defending a potentially guilty client., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 48% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Jennifer discovers evidence suggesting David is actually guilty - he manipulated her into taking the case. What seemed like a false victory (winning in court) reveals itself as a false defeat: she's been played and is defending a murderer., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Moe is murdered by David. The "whiff of death" is literal - Jennifer's closest ally and moral compass is killed, and she realizes the danger she's in. She's alone and terrified., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Jennifer realizes she must use David's own manipulative tactics against him. She synthesizes her legal knowledge with the understanding of his psychology, deciding to set a trap to expose him and save herself., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Guilty as Sin's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Guilty as Sin against these established plot points, we can identify how Sidney Lumet utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Guilty as Sin within the thriller genre.
Sidney Lumet's Structural Approach
Among the 15 Sidney Lumet films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Guilty as Sin represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Sidney Lumet filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional thriller films include The Warriors, Thunderball and Rustom. For more Sidney Lumet analyses, see Dog Day Afternoon, Murder on the Orient Express and The Wiz.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jennifer Haines confidently wins a case in court, establishing her as a brilliant, successful defense attorney at the top of her game. She's in control of her professional world.
Theme
A colleague warns Jennifer: "Sometimes the client is guilty." The theme of truth versus advocacy, and the danger of being manipulated by those you defend, is introduced.
Worldbuilding
Jennifer's world is established: her successful law practice, her relationship with her assistant Moe, her courtroom prowess, and her professional reputation. David Greenhill approaches her to represent him in his wife's murder case.
Disruption
David Greenhill charmingly persuades Jennifer to take his case despite her initial reluctance. His charisma and the high-profile nature of the case disrupt her careful professional boundaries.
Resistance
Jennifer investigates the case, interviewing witnesses and reviewing evidence. She debates whether David is truly innocent. Moe expresses concerns about David, but Jennifer is drawn into the challenge of defending him.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jennifer fully commits to David's defense, making the active choice to take the case to trial. She crosses the threshold from investigator to advocate, entering the world of defending a potentially guilty client.
Mirror World
Jennifer's relationship with Moe deepens as he becomes her confidant and moral compass. He represents the truth-seeking side of justice versus the advocacy role she's playing.
Premise
The trial proceeds with Jennifer brilliantly defending David, cross-examining witnesses, and dismantling the prosecution's case. This is the "promise of the premise" - watching a master attorney at work in a high-stakes murder trial.
Midpoint
Jennifer discovers evidence suggesting David is actually guilty - he manipulated her into taking the case. What seemed like a false victory (winning in court) reveals itself as a false defeat: she's been played and is defending a murderer.
Opposition
David begins to threaten Jennifer subtly, making it clear he knows she suspects him. She's trapped by attorney-client privilege and ethics. David's psychological manipulation intensifies as he invades her life, making her fear for her safety.
Collapse
Moe is murdered by David. The "whiff of death" is literal - Jennifer's closest ally and moral compass is killed, and she realizes the danger she's in. She's alone and terrified.
Crisis
Jennifer processes Moe's death and confronts the full horror of what she's done: she's about to win freedom for a serial killer who has now murdered her friend. She must find a way to stop him while bound by legal ethics.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jennifer realizes she must use David's own manipulative tactics against him. She synthesizes her legal knowledge with the understanding of his psychology, deciding to set a trap to expose him and save herself.
Synthesis
Jennifer executes her plan to expose David. The finale includes a confrontation where she outmaneuvers him, using evidence and witnesses to reveal his guilt, culminating in a dangerous physical confrontation where she fights for her life.
Transformation
Jennifer stands outside the courthouse, no longer the naively confident attorney from the opening. She's transformed, having learned the hard way that the truth matters more than winning, and that some clients are guilty as sin.