Maigret
In Paris, a young girl is found dead in a Parisian square, wearing an evening dress. Commissioner Maigret will try to identify her and then understand what happened to the victim.
The film disappointed at the box office against its tight budget of $7.0M, earning $5.9M globally (-15% loss).
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%)
Maigret (2022) exhibits precise narrative design, characteristic of Patrice Leconte's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 28 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 Maigret in his methodical routine at the police headquarters, a weary detective carrying decades of experience and unspoken grief, going through the motions of his work.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when A young woman is found murdered, dressed in an evening gown, stabbed to death. Her identity is unknown - she has no papers, no one claims her. The case haunts Maigret immediately.. 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 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Maigret commits fully to finding the victim's identity and killer, deciding to treat her not as another case file but as someone deserving of justice. He enters the world of her life and death., moving from reaction to action.
At 45 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Maigret identifies the victim and discovers her tragic background, but the killer remains elusive. False leads emerge, and he realizes the murderer is closer than expected - the stakes deepen., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 66 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Maigret confronts the emptiness of the victim's life - unloved, used, and discarded - which overwhelms him with memories of his daughter. He faces the futility of bringing back the dead., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 70 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Maigret realizes that giving the victim justice is how he honors both her and his daughter. A final piece of evidence or insight clarifies the killer's identity. He moves forward with quiet resolve., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Maigret'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 Maigret against these established plot points, we can identify how Patrice Leconte utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Maigret within the mystery genre.
Patrice Leconte's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Patrice Leconte films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Maigret represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Patrice Leconte filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional mystery films include Oblivion, From Darkness and American Gigolo. For more Patrice Leconte analyses, see Intimate Strangers, French Fried Vacations 3: Friends Forever and Man on the Train.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Maigret in his methodical routine at the police headquarters, a weary detective carrying decades of experience and unspoken grief, going through the motions of his work.
Theme
A colleague mentions how some victims are forgotten by society, nameless and unmourned - suggesting the story's exploration of remembering the forgotten and carrying the weight of loss.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Maigret's world: the Paris police headquarters, his relationship with his wife, his methods, and the social dynamics of 1950s Paris. Establishes his reputation and his melancholic demeanor.
Disruption
A young woman is found murdered, dressed in an evening gown, stabbed to death. Her identity is unknown - she has no papers, no one claims her. The case haunts Maigret immediately.
Resistance
Maigret begins the investigation reluctantly but thoroughly, interviewing witnesses, examining evidence, and piecing together the victim's last movements. He resists emotional involvement but is drawn in.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Maigret commits fully to finding the victim's identity and killer, deciding to treat her not as another case file but as someone deserving of justice. He enters the world of her life and death.
Mirror World
Maigret learns details about the victim that remind him of his own daughter who died young. The parallel becomes clear: this case is personal, reflecting his unresolved grief.
Premise
Maigret investigates the victim's connections - a countess, a doctor, various men who knew her. He pieces together her life as a kept woman, unloved and discarded by society, tracking leads through Paris.
Midpoint
Maigret identifies the victim and discovers her tragic background, but the killer remains elusive. False leads emerge, and he realizes the murderer is closer than expected - the stakes deepen.
Opposition
Suspects deceive Maigret, alibis crumble and reform, and the investigation grows more complex. Social pressures mount, and Maigret faces his own emotional barriers as the case mirrors his loss.
Collapse
Maigret confronts the emptiness of the victim's life - unloved, used, and discarded - which overwhelms him with memories of his daughter. He faces the futility of bringing back the dead.
Crisis
Maigret withdraws emotionally, sitting with his grief and the weight of the case. His wife tries to comfort him. He must decide whether to continue or let the case destroy him.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Maigret realizes that giving the victim justice is how he honors both her and his daughter. A final piece of evidence or insight clarifies the killer's identity. He moves forward with quiet resolve.
Synthesis
Maigret confronts the killer, extracts a confession, and ensures justice is served. He brings closure to the victim's story, giving her the dignity in death she was denied in life.
Transformation
Maigret returns home to his wife, still carrying his grief but having found a measure of peace. He has honored the forgotten, and in doing so, honored his own loss. A quiet, dignified resolution.