Laplace's Witch
An environmental analyst is asked by the police to determine if two deaths by hydrogen sulfide poisoning are an accident - or a murder. But when he meets a young woman at both sites, a scientific mystery begins.
The film earned $11.0M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Professor Shusuke Aoe is introduced as a methodical geochemist, living a quiet academic life devoted to understanding natural phenomena through science and reason.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Aoe is called to investigate the suspicious hydrogen sulfide deaths. A detective reveals both victims had connections, suggesting these may not be accidents but calculated murders using natural phenomena.. 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Aoe chooses to work with Madoka despite her impossible claims of being able to predict natural events. He abandons pure scientific skepticism and enters a world where the inexplicable may be real., moving from reaction to action.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The truth about the experiment subjects is revealed - both Madoka and Kento gained predictive abilities, but Kento has been using his powers for revenge. The deaths were not accidents but precisely calculated murders. False defeat as the scope of the danger becomes clear., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Kento's final target is revealed - he plans to kill those ultimately responsible for the experiments and his mother's death. Madoka is caught between stopping him and understanding his pain. The whiff of death looms as Aoe realizes they may be too late., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 92 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Aoe realizes that science alone cannot solve this - human connection and choice matter more than calculation. Madoka chooses to use her abilities not for revenge but for protection, synthesizing her trauma into purpose., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Laplace's Witch'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 Laplace's Witch against these established plot points, we can identify how Takashi Miike utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Laplace's Witch within the mystery genre.
Takashi Miike's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Takashi Miike films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Laplace's Witch exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Takashi Miike filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional mystery films include Lone Star, The Wicker Man and A Soldier's Story. For more Takashi Miike analyses, see One Missed Call, The Great Yokai War and Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Professor Shusuke Aoe is introduced as a methodical geochemist, living a quiet academic life devoted to understanding natural phenomena through science and reason.
Theme
A colleague mentions Laplace's demon - the idea that if one knew every variable, the future could be predicted. This establishes the film's central question: can science truly explain everything, or are some things beyond calculation?
Worldbuilding
The world of scientific investigation is established. Aoe's expertise in geochemistry and volcanic gases is shown. Two separate deaths at hot spring locations are reported, both caused by hydrogen sulfide poisoning, deemed accidents by authorities.
Disruption
Aoe is called to investigate the suspicious hydrogen sulfide deaths. A detective reveals both victims had connections, suggesting these may not be accidents but calculated murders using natural phenomena.
Resistance
Aoe investigates both death sites, analyzing wind patterns, gas concentrations, and timing. He struggles to understand how anyone could have predicted the exact conditions. He encounters the mysterious Madoka Uhara, who seems to know things she shouldn't.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Aoe chooses to work with Madoka despite her impossible claims of being able to predict natural events. He abandons pure scientific skepticism and enters a world where the inexplicable may be real.
Mirror World
Madoka reveals more about her abilities and her connection to her father, the neuroscientist Koreyoshi Uhara. Her story of surviving brain experiments represents the thematic counterpoint - she embodies what happens when science goes too far.
Premise
Aoe investigates the connection between the deaths and the Uhara family experiments. He learns about brain modification experiments that gave subjects the ability to calculate complex natural phenomena instantly. The mystery deepens as Kento Amakasu, another experiment subject, emerges.
Midpoint
The truth about the experiment subjects is revealed - both Madoka and Kento gained predictive abilities, but Kento has been using his powers for revenge. The deaths were not accidents but precisely calculated murders. False defeat as the scope of the danger becomes clear.
Opposition
Aoe races to understand Kento's plan and prevent more deaths. The investigation reveals the tragic backstory - Kento's mother was killed, and he blames those connected to the experiments. Madoka struggles with her own trauma while trying to stop Kento.
Collapse
Kento's final target is revealed - he plans to kill those ultimately responsible for the experiments and his mother's death. Madoka is caught between stopping him and understanding his pain. The whiff of death looms as Aoe realizes they may be too late.
Crisis
Aoe and Madoka process the horror of what the experiments created - not witches, but traumatized children turned into weapons. Madoka must decide whether to use her abilities to save lives or let Kento have his revenge.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Aoe realizes that science alone cannot solve this - human connection and choice matter more than calculation. Madoka chooses to use her abilities not for revenge but for protection, synthesizing her trauma into purpose.
Synthesis
The climactic confrontation unfolds. Madoka uses her predictive abilities to counter Kento's plan. Aoe provides the scientific understanding while Madoka provides the impossible foresight. Together they prevent the final murder and bring the truth to light.
Transformation
Aoe has transformed from a rigid scientist into someone who accepts that some things transcend pure calculation. Madoka is no longer defined by what was done to her but by her choice to protect rather than destroy. Science and wonder coexist.