Last Night
Joanna accuses her husband, Michael, of being attracted to his co-worker. Wanting to make-up before he goes on a business trip, she assumes she over-reacted. But when they are both away from each other for one night, Michael ends up testing his loyalty to Joanna and his attraction to Laura. And Joanna tests her honesty to Michael when her ex-boyfriend Alex suddenly appears in New York for the day.
Working with a tight budget of $7.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $7.6M in global revenue (+9% 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%)
Last Night (2010) reveals carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Massy Tadjedin's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 33 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Joanna and Michael attend a business party together as a married couple, appearing happy and stable. She notices Michael talking intimately with his attractive colleague Laura, creating subtle tension.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Michael reveals he must go on an overnight business trip to Philadelphia with Laura. Joanna's discomfort is palpable, and she admits she's attracted to her ex-boyfriend Alex who will be on her business trip. The threat of temptation enters both their lives simultaneously.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to The film commits to its dual-narrative structure as both Joanna and Michael are now fully immersed in their respective temptations. Michael and Laura check into their hotel; Joanna and Alex share an emotionally charged reunion. The point of no return for potential infidelity., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Michael and Laura kiss passionately in Philadelphia. Simultaneously, the tension between Joanna and Alex reaches a breaking point. The false defeat: both marriages appear to be crumbling as emotional and physical affairs seem inevitable. The stakes are now at their highest., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 69 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Joanna sleeps with Alex. The marriage seems destroyed. This is the death of innocence and complete trust in the relationship. The lowest point where the betrayal is fully realized, and there appears to be no way back., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Both spouses return home and must face each other. The realization that they must be honest or live with secrets forever. The decision to confront the truth about their night apart, synthesizing their understanding of love, commitment, and forgiveness., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Last Night'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 Last Night against these established plot points, we can identify how Massy Tadjedin utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Last Night within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Joanna and Michael attend a business party together as a married couple, appearing happy and stable. She notices Michael talking intimately with his attractive colleague Laura, creating subtle tension.
Theme
At the party, someone mentions how "you never really know what goes on in someone else's marriage," foreshadowing the exploration of trust, temptation, and the secrets within committed relationships.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Joanna and Michael's marriage in New York. They seem happy but there's an undercurrent of tension. Michael introduces Joanna to Laura, his new colleague. Joanna prepares for a business trip. We see their apartment, routines, and the comfortable but possibly complacent state of their relationship.
Disruption
Michael reveals he must go on an overnight business trip to Philadelphia with Laura. Joanna's discomfort is palpable, and she admits she's attracted to her ex-boyfriend Alex who will be on her business trip. The threat of temptation enters both their lives simultaneously.
Resistance
Both spouses wrestle with their situations. Joanna goes on her trip and reunites with Alex, her former lover. Michael travels with Laura to Philadelphia. Both couples share drinks, conversations, and growing intimacy. Each spouse debates internally about crossing boundaries.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The film commits to its dual-narrative structure as both Joanna and Michael are now fully immersed in their respective temptations. Michael and Laura check into their hotel; Joanna and Alex share an emotionally charged reunion. The point of no return for potential infidelity.
Mirror World
Joanna reconnects deeply with Alex, who represents her past self and unexplored possibilities. Alex serves as the mirror showing what life could have been, making her question her choices and current marriage. Their chemistry is undeniable.
Premise
The "what if" premise unfolds. Joanna spends time with Alex, reminiscing and feeling the pull of their past connection. Michael grows closer to Laura through intimate conversations and shared vulnerability. Both couples flirt with crossing physical and emotional boundaries, dancing around the central question of fidelity.
Midpoint
Michael and Laura kiss passionately in Philadelphia. Simultaneously, the tension between Joanna and Alex reaches a breaking point. The false defeat: both marriages appear to be crumbling as emotional and physical affairs seem inevitable. The stakes are now at their highest.
Opposition
The pressure intensifies as both storylines progress toward their climaxes. Michael struggles with guilt after kissing Laura. Joanna and Alex's emotional intimacy deepens. Both spouses make choices about how far they'll go. Phone calls between Joanna and Michael are loaded with subtext and lies.
Collapse
Joanna sleeps with Alex. The marriage seems destroyed. This is the death of innocence and complete trust in the relationship. The lowest point where the betrayal is fully realized, and there appears to be no way back.
Crisis
Both Joanna and Michael experience profound guilt and regret in their separate locations. The dark night of the soul where they must confront what they've done and what it means for their marriage. Emotional devastation and reflection.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Both spouses return home and must face each other. The realization that they must be honest or live with secrets forever. The decision to confront the truth about their night apart, synthesizing their understanding of love, commitment, and forgiveness.
Synthesis
Joanna and Michael reunite at home. The tension is unbearable as they navigate around the truth. Gradual revelations emerge through loaded conversations. They must decide whether to confess, whether to ask, and whether their marriage can survive. The finale of their emotional reckoning.
Transformation
Joanna and Michael lie in bed together in the final image, mirroring earlier intimate moments but now transformed by what has happened. The ambiguity of their future hangs in the air—changed, uncertain, but still together. The marriage has been tested and redefined.