House at the End of the Street
A mother and daughter move to a new town and find themselves living next door to a house where a young girl murdered her parents. When the daughter befriends the surviving son, she learns the story is far from over.
Despite its tight budget of $6.9M, House at the End of the Street became a box office phenomenon, earning $44.3M worldwide—a remarkable 542% return. The film's bold vision found its audience, proving 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%)
House at the End of the Street (2012) showcases carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Mark Tonderai's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 41 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Elissa and her mother Sarah arrive at their new rental home in a quiet suburban neighborhood, seeking a fresh start. The house is affordable because of its proximity to the infamous house where a double murder occurred years ago.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Elissa meets Ryan in person when he helps her after a party incident. Despite warnings from everyone around her, she feels drawn to the mysterious, isolated young man who seems genuinely kind and misunderstood.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Elissa actively chooses to pursue a relationship with Ryan, defying her mother and social pressure. She commits to seeing him regularly, crossing into the dangerous world of his secrets despite all red flags., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Elissa discovers that Carrie Anne may still be alive when she glimpses a figure in Ryan's house. Ryan claims his sister occasionally returns and he hides her in the basement to protect her—a revelation that should terrify Elissa but instead deepens her sympathy for his burden., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 76 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Elissa discovers the horrifying truth: Carrie Anne died years ago in an accident Ryan caused. He has been kidnapping young women, keeping them prisoner, and forcing them to become his "sister" as replacement. She realizes she's been dating a psychotic killer and is now his next victim., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Elissa fights Ryan through the house in a brutal confrontation. Sarah arrives and joins the fight. Together, mother and daughter overpower Ryan. Police arrive to find the truth about his crimes and rescue the captive woman., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
House at the End of the Street's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping House at the End of the Street against these established plot points, we can identify how Mark Tonderai utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish House at the End of the Street within the horror genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Elissa and her mother Sarah arrive at their new rental home in a quiet suburban neighborhood, seeking a fresh start. The house is affordable because of its proximity to the infamous house where a double murder occurred years ago.
Theme
Sarah warns Elissa that things aren't always what they seem, and people hide dark secrets behind normal facades—establishing the film's theme about hidden darkness and the danger of trusting appearances.
Worldbuilding
Elissa starts at her new school, learns about the murders at the house next door where Ryan Jacobson still lives alone, and hears local gossip about the tragedy. The community reveals prejudice against Ryan, whose sister Carrie Anne killed their parents before disappearing.
Disruption
Elissa meets Ryan in person when he helps her after a party incident. Despite warnings from everyone around her, she feels drawn to the mysterious, isolated young man who seems genuinely kind and misunderstood.
Resistance
Elissa debates whether to trust Ryan despite her mother's objections and peer warnings. She visits his house, they bond over feeling like outsiders, and Ryan shares his tragic backstory about his sister's mental illness and the murders.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Elissa actively chooses to pursue a relationship with Ryan, defying her mother and social pressure. She commits to seeing him regularly, crossing into the dangerous world of his secrets despite all red flags.
Mirror World
Ryan opens up emotionally to Elissa about his guilt over his sister and his isolation. Their relationship deepens as she sees herself in his outsider status—both feel judged and misunderstood by their community.
Premise
Elissa and Ryan's forbidden romance develops as she believes she's saving him from loneliness and town prejudice. Strange incidents occur—sounds in Ryan's house, his odd behavior, locked doors—but Elissa rationalizes them away, drawn deeper into the mystery.
Midpoint
Elissa discovers that Carrie Anne may still be alive when she glimpses a figure in Ryan's house. Ryan claims his sister occasionally returns and he hides her in the basement to protect her—a revelation that should terrify Elissa but instead deepens her sympathy for his burden.
Opposition
Tension escalates as Ryan's behavior becomes more erratic and controlling. Sarah tries to separate them. Tyler and other locals harass Ryan, forcing Elissa to defend him. Strange details accumulate that don't add up about Carrie Anne's story and the murders.
Collapse
Elissa discovers the horrifying truth: Carrie Anne died years ago in an accident Ryan caused. He has been kidnapping young women, keeping them prisoner, and forcing them to become his "sister" as replacement. She realizes she's been dating a psychotic killer and is now his next victim.
Crisis
Trapped in Ryan's basement with the current captive "Carrie Anne," Elissa experiences pure terror as she understands the full scope of his delusion and violence. Her trust and compassion have led her into a nightmare, and no one knows where she is.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Elissa fights Ryan through the house in a brutal confrontation. Sarah arrives and joins the fight. Together, mother and daughter overpower Ryan. Police arrive to find the truth about his crimes and rescue the captive woman.