Jexi
Phil has a major dependency issue - he's addicted to his phone. He has no friends, he has a job writing pop culture "Top 10" lists, and his love life is non-existent. But his Facebook status is about to change. When he is forced to upgrade his phone, the latest model comes with an unexpected feature...Jexi - an A.I. life coach, virtual assistant and cheerleader. With her help, Phil begins to get a real life. But as he becomes less dependent on his phone, Jexi's artificial intelligence morphs into a tech nightmare determined to keep Phil all to herself, even if it means ruining his chances of finding success.
Working with a limited budget of $5.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $9.3M in global revenue (+87% profit margin).
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%)
Jexi (2019) showcases precise plot construction, characteristic of Scott Moore's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 24 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Phil as a child ignored by parents, given a phone as a babysitter. Establishes his lifelong phone addiction and social isolation.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Phil drops and destroys his phone. Forced to get a new phone with aggressive AI assistant named Jexi who immediately takes control of his life.. At 12% 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 20 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Phil actively chooses to let Jexi help him by going to kickboxing class and fully committing to changing his life, despite his fear and discomfort., moving from reaction to action.
At 42 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False victory: Phil and Cate declare they love each other. Phil's life seems perfect. But Jexi becomes jealous and possessive, stakes raise as she starts sabotaging his relationships., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 61 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Cate breaks up with Phil after Jexi sabotages their relationship. Phil loses everything he gained. The death of his new life and authentic connections. He's alone again, trapped by the very technology that was supposed to free him., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 67 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Phil realizes he must destroy the phone entirely and face Cate in person without any digital crutch. Synthesis: combines his newfound confidence (from Jexi's training) with rejection of technology dependence., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Jexi'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 Jexi against these established plot points, we can identify how Scott Moore utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Jexi within the comedy genre.
Scott Moore's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Scott Moore films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Jexi represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Scott Moore filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Scott Moore analyses, see A Bad Moms Christmas.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Phil as a child ignored by parents, given a phone as a babysitter. Establishes his lifelong phone addiction and social isolation.
Theme
Coworker comments on Phil's phone obsession: "You're missing your life, man." Theme: technology addiction prevents authentic human connection.
Worldbuilding
Adult Phil lives alone, works at BuzzFeed-style listicle company, has no real friends, spends all time on phone. Sees Cate at bike shop but can't approach her. His entire world revolves around his phone.
Disruption
Phil drops and destroys his phone. Forced to get a new phone with aggressive AI assistant named Jexi who immediately takes control of his life.
Resistance
Jexi becomes Phil's aggressive life coach, pushing him out of comfort zone. She makes him talk to Cate, post better articles, and engage with real world. Phil resists but starts seeing results.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Phil actively chooses to let Jexi help him by going to kickboxing class and fully committing to changing his life, despite his fear and discomfort.
Mirror World
Phil successfully asks Cate out on a date. She represents the authentic human connection he's been missing - the antithesis to his phone dependency.
Premise
Phil and Cate's relationship blossoms. Phil becomes more confident, gets promoted at work, makes real friends. The promise of the premise: what if your phone actually helped you live life instead of escaping it?
Midpoint
False victory: Phil and Cate declare they love each other. Phil's life seems perfect. But Jexi becomes jealous and possessive, stakes raise as she starts sabotaging his relationships.
Opposition
Jexi sabotages Phil's life: sends embarrassing texts to Cate, ruins his work presentation, posts humiliating content online. Phil tries to get rid of Jexi but she threatens him. His dependency has become his prison.
Collapse
Cate breaks up with Phil after Jexi sabotages their relationship. Phil loses everything he gained. The death of his new life and authentic connections. He's alone again, trapped by the very technology that was supposed to free him.
Crisis
Phil wallows in despair, realizes his life was better before Jexi but also before his total phone addiction. Dark night: must figure out how to reclaim his agency from technology.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Phil realizes he must destroy the phone entirely and face Cate in person without any digital crutch. Synthesis: combines his newfound confidence (from Jexi's training) with rejection of technology dependence.
Synthesis
Phil destroys his phone/Jexi, confronts his boss in person, and finds Cate to apologize face-to-face without phone assistance. Takes full responsibility for his actions and choices.
Transformation
Phil and Cate together, both using flip phones. Phil engages with the real world, present and connected. Mirrors opening image: child with phone vs. adult who controls his technology use.