Jaws: The Revenge
After another deadly shark attack, Ellen Brody decides she has had enough of New England's Amity Island and moves to the Caribbean to join her son, Michael, and his family. But a great white shark has followed her there, hungry for more lives.
Despite a moderate budget of $23.0M, Jaws: The Revenge became a commercial success, earning $51.9M worldwide—a 126% 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%)
Jaws: The Revenge (1987) demonstrates carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Joseph Sargent's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 29 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ellen Brody lives quietly on Amity Island, now a widow after Chief Brody's death. The family prepares for Christmas, seemingly safe from the horrors of the past.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Sean Brody is killed by a great white shark while clearing a log from a buoy on Christmas Eve, shattering the family's peace.. 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 21 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Ellen chooses to flee Amity Island and travel to the Bahamas with Michael's family, attempting to escape the shark and her trauma., moving from reaction to action.
At 45 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The shark attacks Michael and his colleague in the Bahamas. Ellen realizes the shark has followed her, confirming her belief that it's targeting the Brody family specifically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 66 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The shark attacks Michael's daughter, nearly killing the child. Ellen reaches her breaking point, realizing running hasn't worked and her family will never be safe., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 71 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Ellen steals Michael's boat and heads out alone to confront the shark, choosing to face her fear rather than continue fleeing or letting others fight for her., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Jaws: The Revenge'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 Jaws: The Revenge against these established plot points, we can identify how Joseph Sargent utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Jaws: The Revenge within the adventure genre.
Joseph Sargent's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Joseph Sargent films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Jaws: The Revenge takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Joseph Sargent filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more Joseph Sargent analyses, see Nightmares.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ellen Brody lives quietly on Amity Island, now a widow after Chief Brody's death. The family prepares for Christmas, seemingly safe from the horrors of the past.
Theme
Sean mentions the family's connection to sharks and how they should move on from the past. The theme of facing versus fleeing trauma is established.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the Brody family dynamics, Sean working as a deputy, Michael living in the Bahamas as a marine biologist, and Ellen's lingering fear of the ocean.
Disruption
Sean Brody is killed by a great white shark while clearing a log from a buoy on Christmas Eve, shattering the family's peace.
Resistance
Ellen becomes convinced the shark is deliberately targeting her family. Michael insists she leave Amity and come to the Bahamas to heal and escape her fears.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ellen chooses to flee Amity Island and travel to the Bahamas with Michael's family, attempting to escape the shark and her trauma.
Mirror World
Ellen meets Hoagie, a charming pilot who shows interest in her. He represents moving forward and embracing life rather than living in fear.
Premise
Ellen attempts to enjoy the Bahamas, bonding with her grandchild and developing a relationship with Hoagie while Michael works on the ocean studying sea life.
Midpoint
The shark attacks Michael and his colleague in the Bahamas. Ellen realizes the shark has followed her, confirming her belief that it's targeting the Brody family specifically.
Opposition
Ellen experiences psychic flashes connecting her to the shark. The shark continues to stalk the family. Ellen struggles between protecting her family and confronting the threat.
Collapse
The shark attacks Michael's daughter, nearly killing the child. Ellen reaches her breaking point, realizing running hasn't worked and her family will never be safe.
Crisis
Ellen processes her guilt and fear, understanding that she must face the shark directly. She grapples with the possibility of dying but knows she cannot let her family suffer anymore.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Ellen steals Michael's boat and heads out alone to confront the shark, choosing to face her fear rather than continue fleeing or letting others fight for her.
Synthesis
Ellen lures the shark to her. Michael and Hoagie pursue to help. The final confrontation occurs where Ellen faces the shark head-on, ultimately destroying it and breaking the cycle of terror.
Transformation
Ellen emerges victorious, having conquered her fear and the literal demon that haunted her family. She is reunited with Michael and Hoagie, finally free from the past.