Hush
Handsome Jackson Baring, heir to grand Southern horse farm Kilronan, choose to build a life in New York while it's run by his domineering mother Martha. When Jackson returns to present his Yankee bride Helen, the young couple gets lured into staying for the Christmastide, then to help Martha save the farm from financial trouble or at least until Jackson son's birth. As cripple grandmother Alice Baring suggested, Martha is playing a ruthless game, just as she lied about the seven year old, traumatized Jackson's father Jack's deadly fall.
The film struggled financially against its respectable budget of $21.0M, earning $13.6M globally (-35% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling within the drama genre.
1 win & 2 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%)
Hush (1998) exhibits precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Jonathan Darby's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 35 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Helen and Jackson are a happy couple in New York. They're young, successful, and in love, establishing their relationship before the storm.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Jackson's grandmother dies, requiring them to return to the family estate. This forces Helen into Martha's domain and triggers the central conflict.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Helen and Jackson decide to temporarily move to the Virginia estate. Helen actively chooses to enter Martha's world, believing she can handle it and support her husband., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Helen gives birth to her son. What should be a victory becomes a defeat as Martha's control over the baby and Jackson intensifies. Helen realizes she's trapped and Martha's intentions are darker than imagined., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 69 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Helen discovers the truth about Jackson's father's death and Martha's history of eliminating threats. Helen's marriage symbolically dies as she realizes Jackson may never escape his mother. She faces potential death herself., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 75 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Helen finds proof of Martha's crimes and realizes she must fight back not just for herself but for her child. She synthesizes her earlier independence with newfound maternal ferocity., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Hush'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 Hush against these established plot points, we can identify how Jonathan Darby utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Hush 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
Helen and Jackson are a happy couple in New York. They're young, successful, and in love, establishing their relationship before the storm.
Theme
Martha (Jackson's mother) makes subtle comments about family legacy and keeping bloodlines close, hinting at the theme of toxic maternal control versus independence.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Helen and Jackson's New York life. Helen becomes pregnant. Jackson's controlling mother Martha lives on a horse farm in Virginia. The couple's dynamic and Helen's independence are established.
Disruption
Jackson's grandmother dies, requiring them to return to the family estate. This forces Helen into Martha's domain and triggers the central conflict.
Resistance
Helen and Jackson debate moving to Virginia. Martha manipulates Jackson, playing on family duty and inheritance. Helen resists but is pregnant and vulnerable. Martha's true controlling nature begins to show.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Helen and Jackson decide to temporarily move to the Virginia estate. Helen actively chooses to enter Martha's world, believing she can handle it and support her husband.
Mirror World
Helen meets Alice, a local woman who serves as a mirror character. Alice subtly warns Helen about Martha and represents what Helen might become if she doesn't escape the family's grip.
Premise
Helen navigates life under Martha's roof while pregnant. Martha's psychological warfare intensifies. Subtle sabotages occur. Helen tries to maintain her independence while odd incidents pile up, creating paranoia and isolation.
Midpoint
Helen gives birth to her son. What should be a victory becomes a defeat as Martha's control over the baby and Jackson intensifies. Helen realizes she's trapped and Martha's intentions are darker than imagined.
Opposition
Martha sabotages Helen's breastfeeding, undermines her parenting, and turns Jackson against her. Helen's attempts to leave are thwarted. Evidence of Martha's manipulation mounts. Helen becomes increasingly isolated and desperate.
Collapse
Helen discovers the truth about Jackson's father's death and Martha's history of eliminating threats. Helen's marriage symbolically dies as she realizes Jackson may never escape his mother. She faces potential death herself.
Crisis
Helen processes the horror of her situation. She's alone, no one believes her, and Martha has won. Dark night of the soul as Helen contemplates her options and faces her fears.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Helen finds proof of Martha's crimes and realizes she must fight back not just for herself but for her child. She synthesizes her earlier independence with newfound maternal ferocity.
Synthesis
Helen confronts Martha in a final battle. She uses Martha's own tactics against her. The climactic showdown involves horses, fire, and maternal rage. Helen fights for her son and her freedom.
Transformation
Helen emerges with her son, having broken free from Martha's control. She has transformed from naive city girl to fierce mother, reclaiming her family on her own terms.