Instructions Not Included
Valentin is Acapulco's resident playboy, until a former fling leaves a baby on his doorstep and him heading with her out of Mexico.
Despite its small-scale budget of $5.5M, Instructions Not Included became a massive hit, earning $99.1M worldwide—a remarkable 1701% return. The film's bold vision connected with viewers, demonstrating 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%)
Instructions Not Included (2013) reveals meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of Eugenio Derbez's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 2 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Valentin is a carefree Acapulco playboy and stuntman, living a commitment-free life diving off cliffs for tourists and charming women. His world is fun, shallow, and centered entirely on himself.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Julie shows up at Valentin's door with a baby - Maggie - claiming she's his daughter. She leaves the infant with him and disappears, forcing responsibility onto a man who has spent his life avoiding it.. 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 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Unable to find Julie, Valentin makes the conscious choice to stay in LA and raise Maggie himself. He commits to being her father, entering a new world of responsibility and parenthood., moving from reaction to action.
At 61 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Julie reappears after six years, now successful and wanting Maggie back. This false defeat raises the stakes - Valentin faces losing the daughter who has become his entire world. The fun and games are over., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 92 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Maggie collapses during a school performance. The devastating truth is revealed - she has a terminal heart condition and has been living on borrowed time. The whiff of death becomes literal and imminent., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 98 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Valentin realizes his purpose was not to keep Maggie forever, but to give her the most loving, joyful life possible. He chooses to make her final days filled with love rather than fear. He finally faces his fear., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Instructions Not Included'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 Instructions Not Included against these established plot points, we can identify how Eugenio Derbez utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Instructions Not Included within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Valentin is a carefree Acapulco playboy and stuntman, living a commitment-free life diving off cliffs for tourists and charming women. His world is fun, shallow, and centered entirely on himself.
Theme
Valentin's father tells him "A real man faces his fears," a line that will echo through the entire story as Valentin learns what true courage means - not jumping off cliffs, but being a father.
Worldbuilding
Valentin's irresponsible lifestyle is established - his job as a cliff diver, his fear of commitment, his relationship with his protective father, and his pattern of avoiding responsibility. We see him seduce Julie, an American tourist.
Disruption
Julie shows up at Valentin's door with a baby - Maggie - claiming she's his daughter. She leaves the infant with him and disappears, forcing responsibility onto a man who has spent his life avoiding it.
Resistance
Valentin desperately tries to find Julie in Los Angeles, carrying baby Maggie with him. He struggles with basic parenting, debates giving up, but slowly begins bonding with his daughter despite his complete inexperience.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Unable to find Julie, Valentin makes the conscious choice to stay in LA and raise Maggie himself. He commits to being her father, entering a new world of responsibility and parenthood.
Mirror World
Time jump reveals six-year-old Maggie, who becomes the thematic mirror - she embodies unconditional love and teaches Valentin what it means to truly care for someone else. Their bond is deep and beautiful.
Premise
The promise of the premise - watching an immature playboy become a devoted single father. Valentin works on film sets as a stuntman while raising Maggie. Their unconventional father-daughter relationship thrives despite challenges.
Midpoint
Julie reappears after six years, now successful and wanting Maggie back. This false defeat raises the stakes - Valentin faces losing the daughter who has become his entire world. The fun and games are over.
Opposition
Legal and emotional battles intensify. Julie reveals she's married and can provide a "proper" family. Valentin must confront that his love alone may not be enough. Maggie is torn between both parents.
Collapse
Maggie collapses during a school performance. The devastating truth is revealed - she has a terminal heart condition and has been living on borrowed time. The whiff of death becomes literal and imminent.
Crisis
Valentin processes the unbearable reality that he will lose Maggie to death, not to Julie. He and Julie unite in their grief. This is Valentin's dark night - all his growth, all his love, cannot save her.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Valentin realizes his purpose was not to keep Maggie forever, but to give her the most loving, joyful life possible. He chooses to make her final days filled with love rather than fear. He finally faces his fear.
Synthesis
Valentin creates magical final memories with Maggie. The finale shows their last adventure together, culminating in Maggie's death. Both parents are present, united by love for their daughter. Valentin has become the man his father wanted him to be.
Transformation
Valentin stands at Maggie's grave, transformed from selfish playboy to selfless father. Though devastated, he has learned what his father meant - real courage is loving someone knowing you might lose them. The closing mirrors the opening, but everything has changed.