His Only Son
After being called on by the Lord, Abraham's faith is tested on his three day journey to sacrifice his son.
Despite its extremely modest budget of $250K, His Only Son became a commercial juggernaut, earning $12.1M worldwide—a remarkable 4740% return. The film's fresh perspective attracted moviegoers, confirming that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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%)
His Only Son (2023) exhibits deliberately positioned dramatic framework, characteristic of David Helling's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 44 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.5, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Abram and Sarai live as childless nomads in Ur, longing for the son God promised but has not delivered after decades of waiting.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Against all biological possibility, elderly Sarah gives birth to Isaac, the miraculous fulfillment of God's decades-old promise and the joy of Abraham's life.. 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 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah. Abraham makes the agonizing choice to obey, beginning a three-day journey that will test everything he believes., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Isaac discovers the truth—he is the sacrifice. The false hope that God might provide another way collapses as father and son confront the unbearable reality together., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Abraham binds Isaac on the altar and raises the knife. The son he waited a lifetime for, the promise of God, is about to die by his own hand—total surrender, total death., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. The angel stays Abraham's hand: "Now I know you fear God." The revelation breaks through—God wanted the heart of faith, not the death of the son. A ram appears as substitute., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
His Only Son'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 His Only Son against these established plot points, we can identify how David Helling utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish His Only Son 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
Abram and Sarai live as childless nomads in Ur, longing for the son God promised but has not delivered after decades of waiting.
Theme
Sarai questions Abram: "How can we trust a promise we cannot see?" establishing the film's central theme of faith versus sight, obedience versus understanding.
Worldbuilding
Abraham and Sarah's long wait for the promised son is established through their aging, their doubt, and the covenant relationship with God that defines their lives.
Disruption
Against all biological possibility, elderly Sarah gives birth to Isaac, the miraculous fulfillment of God's decades-old promise and the joy of Abraham's life.
Resistance
Abraham raises Isaac with deep love and devotion, teaching him about God's faithfulness while wrestling with the responsibilities and fears of fatherhood so long deferred.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah. Abraham makes the agonizing choice to obey, beginning a three-day journey that will test everything he believes.
Mirror World
Isaac, trusting and innocent, walks alongside his father, embodying the perfect faith Abraham struggles to maintain—the mirror showing what complete trust in God looks like.
Premise
The three-day journey to Moriah becomes an excruciating exploration of Abraham's internal conflict: love for his son versus obedience to God, faith versus human understanding.
Midpoint
Isaac discovers the truth—he is the sacrifice. The false hope that God might provide another way collapses as father and son confront the unbearable reality together.
Opposition
Abraham's resolve is tested by Sarah's memory, Isaac's questions, and his own breaking heart. Every step toward the altar increases the internal pressure to abandon God's command.
Collapse
Abraham binds Isaac on the altar and raises the knife. The son he waited a lifetime for, the promise of God, is about to die by his own hand—total surrender, total death.
Crisis
In the seconds before the blade falls, Abraham exists in complete darkness—having released everything, waiting in the void between obedience and understanding.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The angel stays Abraham's hand: "Now I know you fear God." The revelation breaks through—God wanted the heart of faith, not the death of the son. A ram appears as substitute.
Synthesis
Abraham sacrifices the ram instead and receives God's renewed covenant. Father and son descend the mountain transformed, having experienced death and resurrection, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice to come.
Transformation
Abraham and Isaac return to Sarah, no longer defined by what they possess but by whom they trust. The family reunites with Isaac alive—a living picture of faith that sees beyond death.