Mr. Holmes
In 1947, long-retired and near the end of his life, Sherlock Holmes grapples with an unreliable memory and must rely on his housekeeper's son as he revisits the still-unsolved case that led to his retirement.
Despite its limited budget of $11.0M, Mr. Holmes became a commercial success, earning $29.4M worldwide—a 167% 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%)
Mr. Holmes (2015) reveals deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Bill Condon's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 44 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes An elderly, frail Sherlock Holmes returns to his Sussex cottage, his once-sharp mind deteriorating. He struggles with memory loss, desperately writing notes to himself about names and faces he can no longer recall.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Holmes discovers Watson's published story about "The Final Case" doesn't match his fragmented memories. The discrepancy torments him—he knows Watson got it wrong, but can't remember the truth that drove him into retirement.. 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.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 52% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Holmes remembers the devastating truth: Ann Kelmot wasn't unfaithful—she was grieving her miscarriages and planning suicide. Holmes tried logic instead of compassion, failed to save her, and she died on the tracks. His greatest failure was emotional, not intellectual., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 78 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Roger is stung by bees and nearly dies due to Holmes' negligence. Mrs. Munro rushes him to the hospital, blaming Holmes. Holmes is left alone, completely lost, unable to remember even Roger's name—the boy who meant everything., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Holmes makes amends: he writes to Ann's husband with compassionate truth instead of cruel facts, connects genuinely with Roger, and creates a ritual honoring those he's lost. He synthesizes intellect with humanity., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Mr. Holmes's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Mr. Holmes against these established plot points, we can identify how Bill Condon utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Mr. Holmes within the drama genre.
Bill Condon's Structural Approach
Among the 9 Bill Condon films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Mr. Holmes takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Bill Condon filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Bill Condon analyses, see The Good Liar, Dreamgirls and Kinsey.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
An elderly, frail Sherlock Holmes returns to his Sussex cottage, his once-sharp mind deteriorating. He struggles with memory loss, desperately writing notes to himself about names and faces he can no longer recall.
Theme
Mrs. Munro tells Holmes: "People need to remember you as you were." The theme of memory, truth versus fiction, and what we leave behind is introduced through her concern about his failing legacy.
Worldbuilding
Holmes' retired life is established: living in Sussex with housekeeper Mrs. Munro and her son Roger, keeping bees, haunted by an unsolved case from 30 years ago. He struggles against Watson's fictionalized accounts and his own failing memory.
Disruption
Holmes discovers Watson's published story about "The Final Case" doesn't match his fragmented memories. The discrepancy torments him—he knows Watson got it wrong, but can't remember the truth that drove him into retirement.
Resistance
Holmes debates whether to pursue his fading memories or accept his decline. Roger becomes an unlikely assistant, helping him with the bees and encouraging him to remember. Holmes resists, fearing what the truth might reveal about his failure.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Holmes investigates his own past, cross-cutting between memories of Ann Kelmot in 1919 and present-day 1947. He slowly reconstructs the case: a husband who suspected his wife of infidelity, but the truth was far more tragic.
Midpoint
Holmes remembers the devastating truth: Ann Kelmot wasn't unfaithful—she was grieving her miscarriages and planning suicide. Holmes tried logic instead of compassion, failed to save her, and she died on the tracks. His greatest failure was emotional, not intellectual.
Opposition
The weight of the memory crushes Holmes. His mind deteriorates faster. Mrs. Munro wants to leave, fearing for Roger's safety around the increasingly confused detective. Holmes' attempts to connect with Roger are clumsy, pushing them away.
Collapse
Roger is stung by bees and nearly dies due to Holmes' negligence. Mrs. Munro rushes him to the hospital, blaming Holmes. Holmes is left alone, completely lost, unable to remember even Roger's name—the boy who meant everything.
Crisis
Holmes sits in darkness with his failure. He has spent his life valuing mind over heart, and now he's losing his mind while discovering his heart too late. The boy who reached him may die because of him.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Holmes makes amends: he writes to Ann's husband with compassionate truth instead of cruel facts, connects genuinely with Roger, and creates a ritual honoring those he's lost. He synthesizes intellect with humanity.