My Cousin Rachel
Philip, an orphan, was taken in and brought up by his cousin Ambrose, a Devon landowner he loves like a father. At a time, Ambrose, who has been advised by his physician a warmer climate, leaves for Tuscany. There he meets and marry Rachel, a half-Italian cousin of his. After an idyllic outset, the situation deteriorates. Shortly before his death, Ambrose manages to alert Philip: his wife is killing him slowly. Willing to sort out the truth, Philip goes to Ambrose's place but he does not find Rachel, who has gone away. Instead he meets Rainaldi, her friend and lawyer, who does not inspire him with confidence. He returns to his estate, persuaded that Rachel is evil and is the direct cause of Ambrose's death. Some time later, Rachel announces her coming. Determined to welcome her coolly, he is stunned to discover a woman not only beautiful but elegant, intelligent and sensitive. Instead of strangling her like he said he would, he falls in love. Madly.
The film earned $9.2M at the global box office.
1 win & 5 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%)
My Cousin Rachel (2017) demonstrates deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Roger Michell's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 46 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 Philip Ashley lives contentedly on his estate in Cornwall, raised by his beloved cousin Ambrose, living a simple life focused on the land and their bond.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Philip receives a letter from Ambrose in Florence revealing he has married a woman named Rachel. Philip is shocked and disturbed by this unexpected news.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Philip vows revenge on Rachel for Ambrose's death and actively chooses to pursue her, traveling to Italy only to find she has already left for England., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Philip impulsively signs over his entire inheritance to Rachel on his 25th birthday, declaring his love. It appears to be a false victory—love has triumphed over suspicion., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Philip discovers Rachel may be pregnant with another man's child and has been using him for money. His romantic illusions die completely as he realizes he may have been deceived all along., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Philip makes the fatal choice to remove wooden supports from a bridge on the estate where Rachel walks, creating a trap that could kill her., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
My Cousin Rachel's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping My Cousin Rachel against these established plot points, we can identify how Roger Michell utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish My Cousin Rachel within the drama genre.
Roger Michell's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Roger Michell films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. My Cousin Rachel takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Roger Michell filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Roger Michell analyses, see Changing Lanes, Hyde Park on Hudson and Morning Glory.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Philip Ashley lives contentedly on his estate in Cornwall, raised by his beloved cousin Ambrose, living a simple life focused on the land and their bond.
Theme
Nick Kendall warns Philip about trusting too easily: "You see the world as you want it to be, not as it is." The theme of perception versus reality is established.
Worldbuilding
Philip's world is established: his devotion to Ambrose, his inheritance of the estate at 25, his friendship with the Kendalls, and his inexperience with women and the wider world.
Disruption
Philip receives a letter from Ambrose in Florence revealing he has married a woman named Rachel. Philip is shocked and disturbed by this unexpected news.
Resistance
Ambrose's letters become increasingly disturbed, hinting that Rachel is poisoning him. Philip debates whether to go to Italy, receives word of Ambrose's death, and resolves to confront Rachel.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Philip vows revenge on Rachel for Ambrose's death and actively chooses to pursue her, traveling to Italy only to find she has already left for England.
Mirror World
Philip meets Rachel face-to-face for the first time. She is gracious, charming, and nothing like the monster he imagined. His certainty begins to crack.
Premise
Philip becomes increasingly enchanted by Rachel as she stays at the estate. He explores the intoxicating premise: is she innocent or guilty? His obsession grows as he falls in love with her.
Midpoint
Philip impulsively signs over his entire inheritance to Rachel on his 25th birthday, declaring his love. It appears to be a false victory—love has triumphed over suspicion.
Opposition
Rachel's behavior becomes ambiguous. She refuses Philip's marriage proposal, mysterious letters arrive, she demands money, and Philip grows ill. His friends warn him, but he can't see clearly.
Collapse
Philip discovers Rachel may be pregnant with another man's child and has been using him for money. His romantic illusions die completely as he realizes he may have been deceived all along.
Crisis
Philip spirals into dark suspicion and rage, confronting the possibility that Rachel murdered Ambrose and manipulated him. He grapples with whether to act on his vengeful impulses.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Philip makes the fatal choice to remove wooden supports from a bridge on the estate where Rachel walks, creating a trap that could kill her.
Synthesis
Rachel walks on the bridge and falls to her death. Philip rushes to her side, and in her final moments, the truth remains ambiguous—was she guilty or innocent?
Transformation
Philip is left alone, tormented by uncertainty, having lost both Ambrose and Rachel. He will never know the truth, transformed from innocent to corrupted by obsession and doubt.