Just the Two of Us
When Blanche meets Grégoire, she thinks she has found the one. The ties that bind them grow quickly, and a passionate affair ensues. Together, they relocate. For Blanche, far from her family, from her twin sister, Rose, a new life begins. But little by little, she finds herself caught in the grip of a deeply possessive and dangerous man.
The film underperformed commercially against its small-scale budget of $6.3M, earning $5.1M globally (-19% loss).
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%)
Just the Two of Us (2023) exhibits carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Valérie Donzelli's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 45 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Blanche appears content in her relationship with Grégoire, living a seemingly perfect life together in their apartment.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Blanche attempts to leave Grégoire, but he physically prevents her from going, revealing the controlling and obsessive nature beneath his charming exterior.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Blanche realizes escape attempts will only make things worse and makes the strategic choice to manipulate Grégoire by pretending to accept the situation, entering a psychological game of survival., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Blanche successfully makes contact with someone outside or discovers a potential weakness in Grégoire's control, giving her false hope that escape is within reach., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Grégoire discovers Blanche's deception and her escape plans. In a violent confrontation, either someone is seriously hurt or Blanche's last hope for freedom is destroyed, leaving her in complete despair., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Blanche realizes she must use Grégoire's obsessive love against him, or an unexpected opportunity arises from his psychological unraveling, giving her one final chance at freedom., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Just the Two of Us'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 Just the Two of Us against these established plot points, we can identify how Valérie Donzelli utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Just the Two of Us within the thriller genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional thriller films include Eye for an Eye, Lake Placid and Operation Finale.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Blanche appears content in her relationship with Grégoire, living a seemingly perfect life together in their apartment.
Theme
A friend warns Blanche that "sometimes the person you love most can become a stranger," foreshadowing the film's exploration of obsession and control in relationships.
Worldbuilding
We see Blanche and Grégoire's relationship unfold - their routines, her career aspirations, his attentiveness that borders on possessiveness, and their social circle that views them as the ideal couple.
Disruption
Blanche attempts to leave Grégoire, but he physically prevents her from going, revealing the controlling and obsessive nature beneath his charming exterior.
Resistance
Blanche is held captive in their apartment as Grégoire isolates her from the outside world, while she searches for opportunities to escape and debates whether to comply or resist.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Blanche realizes escape attempts will only make things worse and makes the strategic choice to manipulate Grégoire by pretending to accept the situation, entering a psychological game of survival.
Mirror World
Through flashbacks or subtle interactions, we see how their relationship once represented genuine connection, serving as a dark mirror to the prison it has become.
Premise
Blanche plays the role of compliant partner while secretly seeking ways to communicate with the outside world, manipulating Grégoire's emotions and routines to create opportunities for freedom.
Midpoint
Blanche successfully makes contact with someone outside or discovers a potential weakness in Grégoire's control, giving her false hope that escape is within reach.
Opposition
Grégoire becomes increasingly paranoid and violent, tightening his control. Blanche's attempts to reach the outside world fail or backfire, and the psychological toll of captivity intensifies.
Collapse
Grégoire discovers Blanche's deception and her escape plans. In a violent confrontation, either someone is seriously hurt or Blanche's last hope for freedom is destroyed, leaving her in complete despair.
Crisis
In her darkest moment, Blanche confronts the reality of her situation and must find the inner strength to survive, processing trauma while Grégoire's instability reaches a breaking point.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Blanche realizes she must use Grégoire's obsessive love against him, or an unexpected opportunity arises from his psychological unraveling, giving her one final chance at freedom.
Synthesis
The final confrontation unfolds as Blanche executes her plan, using everything she's learned about manipulation and survival to either escape or turn the tables on her captor.
Transformation
Blanche emerges free but fundamentally changed - scarred by trauma yet empowered by survival, no longer the naive woman who trusted blindly in love.