Irrational Man
A new philosophy professor arrives on a small town campus near Newport, Rhode Island. His name, Abe Lucas. His reputation : bad. Abe is said to be a womanizer and an alcoholic. But what people do not know is that he is a disillusioned idealist. Since he has become aware of his inability to change the world, he has indeed been living in a state of deep nihilism and arrogant desperation. In class, he only goes through the motions and outside he drinks too much. But as far as sex is concerned, he is just a shadow of himself now: depression is not synonymous with Viagra! For all that, he can't help being attracted to one of his students, pretty and bright Jill Pollard. He enters into a relationship with her which remains platonic, even if Jill would not say no to more. The situation remains unchanged for a while until, one day, in a diner, Abe and Jill surprise a conversation that will change the course of their lives dramatically...
Despite its limited budget of $11.0M, Irrational Man became a solid performer, earning $27.4M worldwide—a 149% return.
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%)
Irrational Man (2015) demonstrates precise plot construction, characteristic of Woody Allen's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 35 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.4, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Abe Lucas, a disillusioned philosophy professor, arrives at Braylin College in a state of existential despair and creative paralysis, unable to write or find meaning in life.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when At a diner, Abe and Jill overhear a woman desperately discussing a corrupt judge who is destroying her life in a custody battle, planting the seed of a radical solution.. 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 Collapse moment at 72 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Jill confronts Abe with evidence, realizing he actually murdered the judge. Her love dies; she's horrified by what he's done. Abe's philosophical justification crumbles when faced with her moral clarity., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 77 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Abe realizes he must kill Jill to protect himself. The "justified" murder leads inevitably to an unjustified one—the corruption arc completes its logic. Philosophy becomes mere rationalization., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Irrational Man's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Irrational Man against these established plot points, we can identify how Woody Allen utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Irrational Man within the comedy genre.
Woody Allen's Structural Approach
Among the 42 Woody Allen films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Irrational Man takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Woody Allen filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Woody Allen analyses, see Sleeper, Celebrity and Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex *But Were Afraid to Ask.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Abe Lucas, a disillusioned philosophy professor, arrives at Braylin College in a state of existential despair and creative paralysis, unable to write or find meaning in life.
Theme
A colleague discusses Kant's categorical imperative and moral philosophy during faculty discussions, foreshadowing the film's exploration of ethics, action, and justification.
Worldbuilding
Abe's world at Braylin is established: his depression and impotence, his heavy drinking, student Jill's infatuation with him, married professor Rita's attraction, and his inability to engage meaningfully despite his brilliance.
Disruption
At a diner, Abe and Jill overhear a woman desperately discussing a corrupt judge who is destroying her life in a custody battle, planting the seed of a radical solution.
Resistance
Abe wrestles with the philosophical implications of the overheard conversation, debating with himself whether a truly moral act—murder of an immoral judge—could give his life meaning and help another person.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The "promise of the premise": Abe plans and executes the murder, becoming vibrant and alive. He can write again, make love, engage with students. He experiences euphoria from committing what he sees as a justified act.
Opposition
Abe's hubris grows as he discusses the "perfect crime" in class and with Jill. She becomes suspicious, piecing together clues. The opposition isn't external but internal—his own pride and her growing moral horror.
Collapse
Jill confronts Abe with evidence, realizing he actually murdered the judge. Her love dies; she's horrified by what he's done. Abe's philosophical justification crumbles when faced with her moral clarity.
Crisis
Abe tries to convince Jill of his reasoning, but she threatens to go to the police. He realizes his "moral act" has made him a monster in the eyes of the person he loves. Dark night of wrestling with consequences.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Abe realizes he must kill Jill to protect himself. The "justified" murder leads inevitably to an unjustified one—the corruption arc completes its logic. Philosophy becomes mere rationalization.
Synthesis
Abe lures Jill to a remote location to push her down an elevator shaft. The plan backfires—he falls to his death instead. His philosophical experiment ends in ironic defeat, proving existential action without ethics leads to self-destruction.
Transformation
Jill, traumatized but alive, is shown having returned to her conventional life and boyfriend. The "irrational man" is gone, his brief vitality through murder exposed as hollow. Philosophy without wisdom is fatal.