Mac and Me
A Mysterious Alien Creature (MAC) escaping from nefarious NASA agents, is befriended by a young boy in a wheelchair. Together, they try to find MAC's family from whom he has been separated.
The film earned $5.9M 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
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Mac and Me (1988) demonstrates precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Stewart Raffill's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 39 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Eric Cruise, a wheelchair-bound boy, sits isolated at his old home while his family prepares to move to California, establishing his loneliness and desire for connection.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Mac, the young alien, enters Eric's home searching for food and causes chaos, terrifying the family and forcing them to flee, disrupting their attempt at a normal life.. 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 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Eric makes the active choice to hide and protect Mac, committing to help the alien reunite with his family despite the danger from government agents., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Mac and Eric successfully make contact with Mac's alien family hiding in the hills, appearing to achieve their goal, but this attracts government attention and raises the stakes significantly., 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 (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Eric is shot by government agents during the chase and appears to die in the hospital, the ultimate "whiff of death" that devastates Mac and represents total failure., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 79 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Mac uses his alien healing powers to miraculously revive Eric, demonstrating that their friendship has literal life-giving power and providing the revelation needed for the final act., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Mac and Me'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 Mac and Me against these established plot points, we can identify how Stewart Raffill utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Mac and Me within the family genre.
Stewart Raffill's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Stewart Raffill films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Mac and Me takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Stewart Raffill filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional family films include The Bad Guys, Like A Rolling Stone and Cats Don't Dance. For more Stewart Raffill analyses, see The Philadelphia Experiment, The Ice Pirates.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Eric Cruise, a wheelchair-bound boy, sits isolated at his old home while his family prepares to move to California, establishing his loneliness and desire for connection.
Theme
Eric's brother Michael tells him "You've got to start making friends," introducing the film's theme about friendship bridging differences and overcoming isolation.
Worldbuilding
The Cruise family moves to California; Eric struggles with his new environment and disability while a NASA probe accidentally brings alien creatures to Earth who are separated from their family.
Disruption
Mac, the young alien, enters Eric's home searching for food and causes chaos, terrifying the family and forcing them to flee, disrupting their attempt at a normal life.
Resistance
Eric debates whether to help the alien or turn it over to authorities; he discovers Mac is gentle and desperate to find his family, while government agents begin hunting for the creature.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Eric makes the active choice to hide and protect Mac, committing to help the alien reunite with his family despite the danger from government agents.
Mirror World
Eric befriends Debbie and other neighborhood kids who agree to help protect Mac, forming the supportive friend group Eric has been seeking, mirroring Mac's search for family.
Premise
Eric and his new friends have adventures hiding Mac from authorities, visiting McDonald's, and searching for Mac's family, delivering the promised fun of "a boy and his alien" premise.
Midpoint
Mac and Eric successfully make contact with Mac's alien family hiding in the hills, appearing to achieve their goal, but this attracts government attention and raises the stakes significantly.
Opposition
Government agents intensify their pursuit, capturing Mac's family; Eric and Mac are separated and hunted; the pressure builds as their window to reunite the alien family closes.
Collapse
Eric is shot by government agents during the chase and appears to die in the hospital, the ultimate "whiff of death" that devastates Mac and represents total failure.
Crisis
Mac and his family mourn over Eric's seemingly lifeless body; all hope appears lost as both the boy and the aliens face death and separation.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Mac uses his alien healing powers to miraculously revive Eric, demonstrating that their friendship has literal life-giving power and providing the revelation needed for the final act.
Synthesis
Eric and his friends work with sympathetic adults to convince the government to release Mac's family; they successfully arrange for the aliens to return home while maintaining their friendship.
Transformation
Eric, now surrounded by friends and family, waves goodbye to Mac as the aliens depart for their home planet, showing he has transformed from isolated to connected through the power of friendship.