Jaws
It's a hot summer on Amity Island, a small community whose main business is its beaches. When new Sheriff Martin Brody discovers the remains of a shark attack victim, his first inclination is to close the beaches to swimmers. This doesn't sit well with Mayor Larry Vaughn and several of the local businessmen. Brody backs down to his regret as that weekend a young boy is killed by the predator. The dead boy's mother puts out a bounty on the shark and Amity is soon swamped with amateur hunters and fisherman hoping to cash in on the reward. A local fisherman with much experience hunting sharks, Quint, offers to hunt down the creature for a hefty fee. Soon Quint, Brody and Matt Hooper from the Oceanographic Institute are at sea hunting the Great White shark. As Brody succinctly surmises after their first encounter with the creature, they're going to need a bigger boat.
Despite its tight budget of $7.0M, Jaws became a runaway success, earning $470.7M worldwide—a remarkable 6624% return. The film's unique voice connected with viewers, confirming that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
3 Oscars. 16 wins & 20 nominations
Roger Ebert
"Jaws is a sensationally effective thriller, a scary film that works all the better because it's populated with characters that have been developed into human beings."Read Full Review
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%)
Jaws (1975) exemplifies deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Steven Spielberg's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 4 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 5.6, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Carefree night beach party on Amity Island. Young people drinking, flirting around a bonfire. Chrissie invites Tom for a midnight swim, establishing the idyllic summer tourist community.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Second shark attack on young Alex Kintner in broad daylight with witnesses. The boy is killed in front of beach crowds. The threat is now undeniable and public.. At 10% 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 22% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Brody allows the beaches to open for July 4th despite his fears, capitulating to the mayor's pressure. His own son Michael goes into the water. Third attack occurs in the estuary, nearly killing Michael. Brody decides: the shark must be killed., moving from reaction to action.
At 55 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 44% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Notably, this crucial beat First barrel attached to the shark. The great white proves far more powerful than expected, dragging the Orca at high speed, damaging the boat. False victory turns to realization: they are not the hunters—they are in a fight for survival., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 83 minutes (67% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The shark attacks the boat directly, smashing through the stern. Quint slides into the shark's jaws and is devoured in a bloody death. The Orca is sinking. Hooper is missing, presumed dead in the cage. Brody is alone with the shark., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 89 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 72% of the runtime. Brody fires at the tank in the shark's mouth. Multiple shots. Direct hit. The shark explodes in a massive fireball. Hooper surfaces—alive. The two survivors paddle back to shore on debris, exhausted but triumphant., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Jaws's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Jaws against these established plot points, we can identify how Steven Spielberg utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Jaws within the adventure genre.
Steven Spielberg's Structural Approach
Among the 33 Steven Spielberg films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 5.8, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. Jaws takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Steven Spielberg filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more Steven Spielberg analyses, see E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, 1941 and West Side Story.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Carefree night beach party on Amity Island. Young people drinking, flirting around a bonfire. Chrissie invites Tom for a midnight swim, establishing the idyllic summer tourist community.
Theme
Mayor Vaughn tells Brody: "Martin, it's all psychological. You yell 'shark,' we've got a panic on our hands on the Fourth of July." Theme: choosing between public safety and economic interest, courage vs. fear.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Amity Island's summer community. Brody is the new police chief from New York, afraid of water. His family has moved to this quiet beach town. Discovery of Chrissie's remains. Medical examiner says shark attack, but mayor pressures for boat accident ruling.
Disruption
Second shark attack on young Alex Kintner in broad daylight with witnesses. The boy is killed in front of beach crowds. The threat is now undeniable and public.
Resistance
Town meeting erupts in panic and debate. Mrs. Kintner confronts Brody with her grief. Hooper arrives as shark expert. Amateur fishermen hunt for the shark. They catch a tiger shark, but Hooper insists it's not the killer. Mayor refuses to close beaches for July 4th weekend.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Brody allows the beaches to open for July 4th despite his fears, capitulating to the mayor's pressure. His own son Michael goes into the water. Third attack occurs in the estuary, nearly killing Michael. Brody decides: the shark must be killed.
Mirror World
Quint appears at the town meeting, dragging his nails on the chalkboard. The grizzled shark hunter offers to kill the beast for $10,000, introducing the relationship that will test Brody's courage and force him to confront his fear of the water.
Premise
The hunt begins. Brody, Hooper, and Quint set out on the Orca. Personality conflicts emerge between working-class Quint and wealthy scientist Hooper. Shark hunting sequences: chum line, barrel system, first sightings of the massive great white. "You're gonna need a bigger boat." Indianapolis speech reveals Quint's trauma.
Midpoint
First barrel attached to the shark. The great white proves far more powerful than expected, dragging the Orca at high speed, damaging the boat. False victory turns to realization: they are not the hunters—they are in a fight for survival.
Opposition
Escalating battle with the shark. Three barrels attached but the shark dives deeper than thought possible. Quint's obsession intensifies; he destroys the radio to prevent rescue. The Orca is taking on water. Cage dive attack nearly kills Hooper. The shark is winning.
Collapse
The shark attacks the boat directly, smashing through the stern. Quint slides into the shark's jaws and is devoured in a bloody death. The Orca is sinking. Hooper is missing, presumed dead in the cage. Brody is alone with the shark.
Crisis
Brody clings to the sinking Orca, retreating to the mast as the shark circles. The water-phobic police chief is now trapped in the ocean, alone, weaponless. He loads the rifle with trembling hands, facing his deepest fear.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Brody fires at the tank in the shark's mouth. Multiple shots. Direct hit. The shark explodes in a massive fireball. Hooper surfaces—alive. The two survivors paddle back to shore on debris, exhausted but triumphant.