mid90s
This movie follows a teenager named Stevie growing up in Los Angeles. He's struggling with his family, including his co-dependent single mom and his abusive older brother, and at school, where his richer friends seem to overlook him. When Stevie befriends a crew of skateboarders, he learns some tough lessons about class, race, and privilege.
Despite its modest budget of $1.7M, mid90s became a commercial success, earning $9.3M worldwide—a 447% return. The film's unique voice connected with viewers, confirming that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
4 wins & 10 nominations
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%)
mid90s (2018) demonstrates deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Jonah Hill's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 26 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Stevie is brutally beaten by his older brother Ian in their shared bedroom. This opening image establishes his isolated, painful existence—a boy seeking escape from violence and disconnection at home.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Stevie finally enters Motor Avenue skate shop and encounters the crew—Ruben, Fourth Grade, Fuckshit, and Ray. Their acceptance of him, even tentatively, disrupts his isolated existence and offers a new world.. 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 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Stevie earns the nickname "Sunburn" after a particularly hard fall—he keeps getting back up. His willingness to endure pain earns him acceptance into the crew, marking his choice to fully enter their world., moving from reaction to action.
At 43 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Stevie hooks up with an older girl at a party—a false victory. He's achieved the external markers of belonging and coolness he craved, but this moment marks the shift toward consequences. The fun begins curdling., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 65 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Stevie attempts suicide by cutting his wrists after a confrontation with Ian, who discovered and destroyed his room. The whiff of death is literal—Stevie's desperation to belong has pushed him to self-destruction., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 69 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The car accident. Stevie and the crew are in a terrible crash with Fourth Grade driving drunk. Stevie is badly injured. In the hospital, Ray visits him—this near-death experience crystallizes what truly matters: genuine connection, not performance., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
mid90s'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 mid90s against these established plot points, we can identify how Jonah Hill utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish mid90s within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Stevie is brutally beaten by his older brother Ian in their shared bedroom. This opening image establishes his isolated, painful existence—a boy seeking escape from violence and disconnection at home.
Theme
Ray tells the crew at the skate shop that skating isn't about showing off or proving yourself—it's about the feeling. This quietly states the theme: authentic identity versus performing for acceptance.
Worldbuilding
Stevie's world is established: an abusive older brother, a struggling single mother, 1990s Los Angeles. He watches skaters outside a shop, drawn to their camaraderie and freedom—everything missing from his life.
Disruption
Stevie finally enters Motor Avenue skate shop and encounters the crew—Ruben, Fourth Grade, Fuckshit, and Ray. Their acceptance of him, even tentatively, disrupts his isolated existence and offers a new world.
Resistance
Ruben takes Stevie under his wing, teaching him to skate and introducing him to the crew's world. Stevie trades his possessions for a board, debating whether to fully commit to this new identity.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Stevie earns the nickname "Sunburn" after a particularly hard fall—he keeps getting back up. His willingness to endure pain earns him acceptance into the crew, marking his choice to fully enter their world.
Mirror World
Ray and Stevie share a quiet moment. Ray opens up about his own struggles and dreams, revealing depth beneath the cool exterior. This relationship becomes Stevie's thematic mirror—authenticity vs. performance.
Premise
The promise of the premise: Stevie immerses himself in 90s skate culture—sessions at the park, parties, first experiences with alcohol and girls. He transforms from isolated kid to accepted crew member, earning respect through falls and resilience.
Midpoint
Stevie hooks up with an older girl at a party—a false victory. He's achieved the external markers of belonging and coolness he craved, but this moment marks the shift toward consequences. The fun begins curdling.
Opposition
Tensions rise. Ruben grows jealous of Stevie's rapid acceptance. Ian discovers Stevie's new life and reacts violently. Stevie's reckless behavior escalates—drinking more, taking bigger risks, pushing boundaries to maintain his status.
Collapse
Stevie attempts suicide by cutting his wrists after a confrontation with Ian, who discovered and destroyed his room. The whiff of death is literal—Stevie's desperation to belong has pushed him to self-destruction.
Crisis
The aftermath of Stevie's suicide attempt. His mother is devastated. The crew learns what happened. Stevie sits in the darkness of his lowest point, forced to confront the cost of his desperate need for belonging.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The car accident. Stevie and the crew are in a terrible crash with Fourth Grade driving drunk. Stevie is badly injured. In the hospital, Ray visits him—this near-death experience crystallizes what truly matters: genuine connection, not performance.
Synthesis
Stevie recovers in the hospital. Ian visits and shows unexpected tenderness. Ray brings the skate video they've been filming—a document of their summer together. The crew surrounds Stevie's bed, their bond tested and proven real.
Transformation
Stevie watches the skate video from his hospital bed, surrounded by his crew. The grainy footage shows their summer—falls, triumphs, friendship. His smile is genuine now, not performed. He found belonging through near-destruction, but he found it.