Last Christmas
Kate is a young woman who has a habit of making bad decisions, and her last date with disaster occurs after she accepts work as Santa's elf for a department store. However, after she meets Tom there, her life takes a new turn.
Despite a respectable budget of $30.0M, Last Christmas became a solid performer, earning $121.6M worldwide—a 305% return.
1 win & 2 nominations
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%)
Last Christmas (2019) exemplifies meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of Paul Feig's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Kate, disheveled and self-destructive, works as an elf at a year-round Christmas shop while couch-surfing and sabotaging her own life after a serious illness. She's stuck, bitter, and alienated from everyone around her.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Kate literally runs into Tom, a mysterious, kind stranger who looks up at the sky and notices things she doesn't. He's different from anyone she's met—genuinely interested in her, present, and attentive.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. 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 demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Kate decides to stop running from Tom and actively pursues a relationship with him. She chooses to open herself up, starts volunteering at the shelter, and begins to change her life patterns., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False defeat: Tom becomes increasingly unavailable and elusive. Kate can't reach him by phone, can't find where he lives, and he disappears for days. Her insecurity and old patterns threaten to resurface., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Kate discovers the truth: Tom died a year ago in a bike accident. He was her heart donor. The boy she fell in love with was never really there—or was a manifestation of the donor's spirit. Everything she believed about their relationship shatters., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Kate realizes that Tom's gift—both the literal heart and the spiritual guidance—was meant to help her truly live. She understands she must honor that gift by becoming the person he saw in her, by keeping her heart open., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Last Christmas's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Last Christmas against these established plot points, we can identify how Paul Feig utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Last Christmas within the comedy genre.
Paul Feig's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Paul Feig films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Last Christmas takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Paul Feig filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Paul Feig analyses, see Bridesmaids, Ghostbusters and Spy.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kate, disheveled and self-destructive, works as an elf at a year-round Christmas shop while couch-surfing and sabotaging her own life after a serious illness. She's stuck, bitter, and alienated from everyone around her.
Theme
Santa (her boss) tells Kate: "You've got to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else." The theme of self-care, healing, and opening your heart is established.
Worldbuilding
We see Kate's chaotic life: bouncing between friends' couches, auditioning unsuccessfully for singing roles, alienated from her immigrant family, making poor romantic choices, and being generally self-centered and irresponsible despite her charm.
Disruption
Kate literally runs into Tom, a mysterious, kind stranger who looks up at the sky and notices things she doesn't. He's different from anyone she's met—genuinely interested in her, present, and attentive.
Resistance
Kate is intrigued by Tom but also guarded and skeptical. He keeps appearing in her life, encouraging her to look around, volunteer at a homeless shelter, and engage with the world. She resists but is drawn to him.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Kate decides to stop running from Tom and actively pursues a relationship with him. She chooses to open herself up, starts volunteering at the shelter, and begins to change her life patterns.
Mirror World
Tom takes Kate ice skating and shows her London in a new light. He represents the person she could become—open, generous, engaged with life. Their relationship becomes the vehicle for her transformation.
Premise
Kate blossoms under Tom's influence. She becomes more responsible at work, reconnects with her family, helps at the homeless shelter, and finds joy in giving to others. The fun of the romantic comedy premise plays out as she falls for Tom.
Midpoint
False defeat: Tom becomes increasingly unavailable and elusive. Kate can't reach him by phone, can't find where he lives, and he disappears for days. Her insecurity and old patterns threaten to resurface.
Opposition
Kate struggles to maintain her progress without Tom. She makes mistakes, her family drama intensifies, and she begins to question everything. Her own flaws and the mystery of Tom's absence create mounting pressure.
Collapse
Kate discovers the truth: Tom died a year ago in a bike accident. He was her heart donor. The boy she fell in love with was never really there—or was a manifestation of the donor's spirit. Everything she believed about their relationship shatters.
Crisis
Kate processes the devastating revelation. She visits Tom's mother, learns about who he really was, and realizes that his impact on her was real even if he wasn't physically present. She sits with her grief and transformation.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Kate realizes that Tom's gift—both the literal heart and the spiritual guidance—was meant to help her truly live. She understands she must honor that gift by becoming the person he saw in her, by keeping her heart open.
Synthesis
Kate organizes a community event to save the homeless shelter, reconciles with her family, and uses her voice (singing) to bring people together. She embodies all the lessons Tom taught her—generosity, presence, openness, and love.
Transformation
Kate performs "Last Christmas" with joy and confidence, surrounded by community, family, and purpose. She looks up at the sky—Tom's signature move—now fully alive, healed, and giving back. The broken elf has become whole.