Manhattan Murder Mystery
A middle-aged couple suspects foul play when their neighbor's wife suddenly drops dead.
The film underperformed commercially against its small-scale budget of $13.5M, earning $11.3M globally (-16% 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%)
Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993) demonstrates precise story structure, characteristic of Woody Allen's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 10-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 44 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.1, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Larry and Carol are a comfortably bored married couple in Manhattan, settling into their empty-nest routine after their son goes to college. They attend a Knicks game with their elderly neighbor couple, the Houses.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Mrs. House dies suddenly of a heart attack. Carol becomes suspicious when Mr. House seems oddly unemotional and his story doesn't quite add up. She begins to suspect murder.. 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 Collapse moment at 78 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The group's theory falls apart when they realize they may have been wrong about everything. Carol faces the possibility that she's destroyed her marriage and friendships over a paranoid fantasy. The danger becomes real when they realize the killer knows who they are., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 83 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The finale at the movie theater and final confrontation. Carol and Larry work together, combining her intuition and passion with his logic and steadiness. They trap the killer and expose the truth, working as a team in a way they haven't in years., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Manhattan Murder Mystery's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 10 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Manhattan Murder Mystery against these established plot points, we can identify how Woody Allen utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Manhattan Murder Mystery within the comedy genre.
Woody Allen's Structural Approach
Among the 42 Woody Allen films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Manhattan Murder Mystery takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Woody Allen filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Woody Allen analyses, see Sleeper, Celebrity and Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex *But Were Afraid to Ask.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Larry and Carol are a comfortably bored married couple in Manhattan, settling into their empty-nest routine after their son goes to college. They attend a Knicks game with their elderly neighbor couple, the Houses.
Theme
During a conversation, their friend Marcia asks about marriage and boredom. The theme of stagnation versus adventure in long-term relationships is introduced through discussion of what happens when the excitement fades.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Carol and Larry's marriage: he's a book editor content with routine, she's restless and hungry for excitement. They befriend the Houses, particularly Mrs. House (Lillian), who seems lonely but cheerful. The couples share dinner and small talk.
Disruption
Mrs. House dies suddenly of a heart attack. Carol becomes suspicious when Mr. House seems oddly unemotional and his story doesn't quite add up. She begins to suspect murder.
Resistance
Carol debates whether to investigate despite Larry's dismissals. She shares her suspicions with their friend Ted, a playwright who encourages her amateur sleuthing. Larry insists she's being ridiculous and tries to discourage her obsession.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The fun of playing detective: Carol and her allies stake out Mr. House, follow suspicious women, break into apartments, and piece together clues. Carol feels alive again. The investigation brings excitement and purpose to her mundane life.
Opposition
The investigation gets darker and more dangerous. Mr. House becomes aware he's being followed. Larry reluctantly gets pulled into the investigation. Tensions rise in the marriage as Carol's obsession grows. The evidence becomes more confusing rather than clearer.
Collapse
The group's theory falls apart when they realize they may have been wrong about everything. Carol faces the possibility that she's destroyed her marriage and friendships over a paranoid fantasy. The danger becomes real when they realize the killer knows who they are.
Crisis
Carol grapples with self-doubt and fear. Larry confronts her about her reckless behavior. Their marriage seems on the brink. Carol must decide whether to abandon the investigation or see it through despite the personal cost.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale at the movie theater and final confrontation. Carol and Larry work together, combining her intuition and passion with his logic and steadiness. They trap the killer and expose the truth, working as a team in a way they haven't in years.