It's Alive
The Davies expect a baby, which turns out to be a monster with a nasty habit of killing when it's scared. And it's easily scared.
Despite its microbudget of $500K, It's Alive became a commercial juggernaut, earning $7.1M worldwide—a remarkable 1320% return. The film's distinctive approach engaged audiences, illustrating how 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%)
It's Alive (1974) showcases deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Larry Cohen's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 31 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 Frank and Lenore Davis prepare for their second child's birth. Their life appears stable with their son Chris and anticipation of expanding their family.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when During delivery, screams erupt from the operating room. The medical staff is brutally killed by the newborn, and the mutant baby escapes into the night.. At 11% 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 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Frank publicly declares he wants the baby destroyed, choosing to align with authorities and society rather than protect his offspring. He commits to hunting down his own child., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat The baby kills again, and evidence suggests it's seeking its parents. Frank realizes the creature recognizes them as family, raising stakes about what he must ultimately face., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 67 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Frank's family completely fractures. His older son Chris suffers deeply, and Frank confronts the death of his identity as protector and father. He realizes his rejection has caused irreparable harm., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Frank chooses to find his baby first—not to kill it, but to protect it from those who would. He synthesizes his role as father with the reality of what his child is., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
It's Alive's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping It's Alive against these established plot points, we can identify how Larry Cohen utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish It's Alive 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
Frank and Lenore Davis prepare for their second child's birth. Their life appears stable with their son Chris and anticipation of expanding their family.
Theme
A character remarks about the unpredictability of childbirth and what parents must accept, foreshadowing the film's exploration of parental responsibility versus societal rejection.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the Davis family dynamics, Frank's pride in fatherhood, the hospital setting, and the normal expectations surrounding childbirth in suburban America.
Disruption
During delivery, screams erupt from the operating room. The medical staff is brutally killed by the newborn, and the mutant baby escapes into the night.
Resistance
Frank struggles with shock and denial while police investigate the murders. He debates whether to acknowledge the baby as his or reject it as a monster. Lenore remains hospitalized in trauma.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Frank publicly declares he wants the baby destroyed, choosing to align with authorities and society rather than protect his offspring. He commits to hunting down his own child.
Mirror World
Lenore expresses maternal instinct and protection for the baby despite its nature, representing the thematic counterpoint to Frank's rejection and embodying unconditional parental love.
Premise
The hunt for the mutant baby intensifies. The creature kills to survive while evading capture. Frank participates in the manhunt while his family life crumbles under media scrutiny and social ostracism.
Midpoint
The baby kills again, and evidence suggests it's seeking its parents. Frank realizes the creature recognizes them as family, raising stakes about what he must ultimately face.
Opposition
Pressure mounts from all sides: police demand results, the media vilifies the family, Chris is bullied, and Lenore's maternal bond strengthens. Frank's complicity in the hunt becomes increasingly untenable.
Collapse
Frank's family completely fractures. His older son Chris suffers deeply, and Frank confronts the death of his identity as protector and father. He realizes his rejection has caused irreparable harm.
Crisis
In darkness, Frank processes his failure. He understands that his choice to destroy rather than protect violated the fundamental bond between parent and child.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Frank chooses to find his baby first—not to kill it, but to protect it from those who would. He synthesizes his role as father with the reality of what his child is.
Synthesis
Frank tracks the baby to the sewers. He confronts it alone, and in a moment of connection, holds his child. Police arrive and surround them. Frank attempts to save his baby but it's shot down.
Transformation
Frank cradles his dying child, having finally accepted his role as father—too late. The closing image shows him broken but transformed, having learned that love transcends monstrosity, though at devastating cost.