Let There Be Light
For all his far-reaching fame, Sol Harkens, the world's most famous atheist, is a lonely soul and a lousy part-time dad. After a near death experience challenges his simplest assumptions about this world, Sol finds his purpose and re-imagines his life, in a film that will make you laugh and cry and want to stand up and cheer.
Despite its tight budget of $3.0M, Let There Be Light became a box office success, earning $7.2M worldwide—a 141% return.
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%)
Let There Be Light (2017) showcases strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of Kevin Sorbo's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 40 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Dr. Sol Harkens is introduced as a famous atheist author and debater, living a life of fame and arrogance, separated from his Christian ex-wife and sons.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Sol's youngest son Davey is killed in a car accident, shattering Sol's world and forcing him to confront mortality and loss.. At 11% 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 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Sol drives drunk and crashes his car, having a near-death experience where he sees his son and encounters a divine presence, fundamentally challenging his atheistic worldview., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Sol publicly declares his newfound faith in God at a speaking engagement, shocking his atheist followers and marking a complete reversal of his former position., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Sol's publisher drops him, his career is destroyed, and he questions whether his conversion was worth losing everything, reaching his lowest emotional point., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 80 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Sol realizes that his relationship with God, Katy, and his son are worth more than fame and fortune, choosing to embrace his new identity fully regardless of consequences., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Let There Be Light'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 Let There Be Light against these established plot points, we can identify how Kevin Sorbo utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Let There Be Light 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
Dr. Sol Harkens is introduced as a famous atheist author and debater, living a life of fame and arrogance, separated from his Christian ex-wife and sons.
Theme
Sol's ex-wife Katy tells him that pride and anger have blinded him to what truly matters in life - family and faith.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Sol's world: his atheist celebrity status, book tours, debates with believers, strained relationship with his Christian ex-wife Katy and their two sons, and his superficial lifestyle.
Disruption
Sol's youngest son Davey is killed in a car accident, shattering Sol's world and forcing him to confront mortality and loss.
Resistance
Sol spirals into grief and alcoholism, resisting comfort from Katy and Pastor Vinny. He debates internally about meaning and purpose while pushing everyone away.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Sol drives drunk and crashes his car, having a near-death experience where he sees his son and encounters a divine presence, fundamentally challenging his atheistic worldview.
Mirror World
Sol begins tentatively reconnecting with Katy and exploring what his near-death experience meant, opening the door to faith and relationship restoration.
Premise
Sol explores faith, attends church with Katy, struggles with his new beliefs versus his old identity, and begins rebuilding relationships with his remaining son and ex-wife while facing skepticism from his atheist colleagues.
Midpoint
Sol publicly declares his newfound faith in God at a speaking engagement, shocking his atheist followers and marking a complete reversal of his former position.
Opposition
Sol faces intense backlash from the atheist community, loses professional opportunities, and struggles to live authentically in his new faith while his old life crumbles around him.
Collapse
Sol's publisher drops him, his career is destroyed, and he questions whether his conversion was worth losing everything, reaching his lowest emotional point.
Crisis
Sol wrestles with doubt and despair, contemplating whether to recant his faith to salvage his career or continue forward despite the cost.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Sol realizes that his relationship with God, Katy, and his son are worth more than fame and fortune, choosing to embrace his new identity fully regardless of consequences.
Synthesis
Sol writes a new book about his conversion, reconciles fully with Katy and remarries her, and becomes an advocate for faith, using his platform to share his transformation story.
Transformation
Sol stands with his reunited family at church, at peace and fulfilled, transformed from an arrogant atheist into a humble man of faith who values love and family above all.