Jagged Edge
After a wealthy heiress is murdered in her beach house, her devastated husband becomes the prime suspect. He hires a lawyer who hasn’t taken a criminal case in years, and as they work together, a complicated romance develops amidst the trial.
Despite a moderate budget of $15.0M, Jagged Edge became a solid performer, earning $40.5M worldwide—a 170% 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%)
Jagged Edge (1985) reveals strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Richard Marquand's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Brutal murder of Page Forrester in her beach house. The killer uses a jagged-edge hunting knife, establishing the violent world and the mystery that will unfold. Sets the dark, dangerous tone of the thriller.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Jack Forrester directly appeals to Teddy to take his case, insisting on his innocence with compelling conviction. Despite her reservations and past trauma, she's drawn to him and the case. The disruption challenges her careful boundaries between professional and personal life.. 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Teddy officially takes Jack's case and commits to defending him. This is her active choice to enter the dangerous world of this murder trial, despite warnings from Sam and her own past trauma. She crosses the line from cautious observer to invested participant., moving from reaction to action.
At 55 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Teddy discovers crucial evidence that Krasny suppressed a key witness who could exonerate Jack. This false victory moment makes it seem like they're winning - the case is going well, and their relationship is deepening. But the stakes are raised: she's now completely emotionally invested in both the case and the man., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Teddy finds Jack's typewriter hidden in a closet - the same typewriter used to write the threatening anonymous notes and possibly the notes found at the murder scene. The man she defended, trusted, and loved may be a manipulative murderer. Her judgment, her heart, and her professional reputation all collapse at once. The "death" of her trust and the relationship., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Teddy makes the cold, professional decision to finish the trial and win the case, despite her suspicions. She synthesizes her legal skills with her new painful knowledge: she will get Jack acquitted, but she will protect herself. She sees clearly now - trust but verify, hope for the best but prepare for the worst., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Jagged Edge'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 Jagged Edge against these established plot points, we can identify how Richard Marquand utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Jagged Edge within the thriller genre.
Richard Marquand's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Richard Marquand films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 5.6, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. Jagged Edge represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Richard Marquand filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional thriller films include Eye for an Eye, Lake Placid and Operation Finale. For more Richard Marquand analyses, see Eye of the Needle, Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Brutal murder of Page Forrester in her beach house. The killer uses a jagged-edge hunting knife, establishing the violent world and the mystery that will unfold. Sets the dark, dangerous tone of the thriller.
Theme
Teddy's mentor Sam Ransom warns her about getting too close to clients and trusting the wrong people. He hints at past betrayals in the legal system, establishing the film's central question: Can you ever really know someone? Who can you trust?
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Teddy Barnes, a successful defense attorney who left the DA's office after being burned. Jack Forrester is arrested for his wife's murder. Teddy is initially reluctant due to her past trauma with cases where she was deceived. We learn about the evidence against Jack and meet DA Thomas Krasny, Teddy's former boss who she despises.
Disruption
Jack Forrester directly appeals to Teddy to take his case, insisting on his innocence with compelling conviction. Despite her reservations and past trauma, she's drawn to him and the case. The disruption challenges her careful boundaries between professional and personal life.
Resistance
Teddy debates whether to take the case, consulting with Sam and her colleague. She investigates the evidence, meets with Jack multiple times, and begins to believe his innocence. She wrestles with her attraction to him while trying to remain professional. She discovers that DA Krasny may be hiding evidence, adding complexity to her decision.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Teddy officially takes Jack's case and commits to defending him. This is her active choice to enter the dangerous world of this murder trial, despite warnings from Sam and her own past trauma. She crosses the line from cautious observer to invested participant.
Mirror World
Teddy and Jack begin a romantic relationship, crossing the professional boundary. Jack represents everything she needs to learn about trust and vulnerability. This relationship will force her to confront whether she can trust her own judgment about people, the film's thematic core.
Premise
The promise of the premise: a legal thriller with romantic entanglement. Teddy builds Jack's defense, investigates witnesses, and uncovers Krasny's pattern of misconduct. She and Jack grow closer romantically. The trial begins with jury selection and opening arguments. Teddy skillfully dismantles prosecution witnesses and builds reasonable doubt.
Midpoint
Teddy discovers crucial evidence that Krasny suppressed a key witness who could exonerate Jack. This false victory moment makes it seem like they're winning - the case is going well, and their relationship is deepening. But the stakes are raised: she's now completely emotionally invested in both the case and the man.
Opposition
The prosecution fights back harder. Krasny introduces damaging evidence about Jack's possible financial motive and his wife's plans to divorce him. Doubts begin to creep in for Teddy. Anonymous typewritten notes start appearing, threatening her. She discovers troubling inconsistencies in Jack's story. Her investigator Sam warns her she's too close to see clearly.
Collapse
Teddy finds Jack's typewriter hidden in a closet - the same typewriter used to write the threatening anonymous notes and possibly the notes found at the murder scene. The man she defended, trusted, and loved may be a manipulative murderer. Her judgment, her heart, and her professional reputation all collapse at once. The "death" of her trust and the relationship.
Crisis
Teddy grapples with the devastating realization in darkness and silence. She doesn't know whether Jack is guilty or if she's being paranoid. She can't reveal this to anyone without destroying her case and possibly letting a murderer go free - or condemning an innocent man. She's paralyzed by doubt and betrayal, facing her worst nightmare come true.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Teddy makes the cold, professional decision to finish the trial and win the case, despite her suspicions. She synthesizes her legal skills with her new painful knowledge: she will get Jack acquitted, but she will protect herself. She sees clearly now - trust but verify, hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
Synthesis
The finale: Teddy delivers a powerful closing argument that wins Jack's acquittal. The jury finds him not guilty. Teddy maintains her professional composure while planning her exit. She goes to Jack's house one final time, where her suspicions are confirmed when Jack attacks her with the jagged-edge knife. She fights for her life until help arrives. Jack is killed.
Transformation
Teddy stands in the aftermath, having survived but forever changed. She was right not to trust - her worst fears confirmed. The final image shows her hardened, scarred by the experience. Unlike the opening where she was cynical but still capable of hope, she's now truly isolated. A tragic transformation where suspicion was validated, trust was punished.