My King
Tony is admitted to a rehabilitation center after a serious ski accident. Dependent on the medical staff and pain relievers, she takes time to look back on a turbulent relationship that she experienced with Georgio. Why did they love each other? Who is this man that she loved so deeply? How did she allow herself to submit to this suffocating and destructive passion? A difficult healing process is in front of Tony, physical work which might finally set her free.
The film disappointed at the box office against its modest budget of $10.6M, earning $8.0M globally (-25% loss).
1 win & 13 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 King (2015) showcases deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Maïwenn's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 5 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Tony lies injured on a ski slope, alone and in pain. This opening image establishes her isolated, broken state - both physically and emotionally - setting the "before" that the story will explore through flashback.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Flashback: Tony meets Georgio at a mutual friend's party. His charisma, charm, and intensity immediately captivate her. He pursues her relentlessly, breaking through her defenses with his spontaneity and passion.. 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 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Tony makes the active choice to fully commit to Georgio. They move in together, and she allows herself to fall completely in love, surrendering to the passionate relationship despite the warning signs., moving from reaction to action.
At 61 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False victory turns to defeat: Tony discovers Georgio has been unfaithful. What seemed like a passionate, special love reveals its toxicity. The stakes raise - they have a child together, making escape more complicated. She confronts him but doesn't leave., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 93 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Tony finally leaves Georgio for good. This "death" of the relationship and of her illusions about love represents her lowest point. In the present, her physical therapy reveals the emotional toll - her injury metaphorically represents her broken state from the relationship., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 100 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Tony has a breakthrough in therapy - both physical and emotional. She realizes that recovery means accepting what happened without letting it define her. She understands that loving Georgio and recognizing the relationship's toxicity can coexist. She chooses to heal., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
My King'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 King against these established plot points, we can identify how Maïwenn utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish My King within the drama genre.
Maïwenn's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Maïwenn films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. My King represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Maïwenn filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Maïwenn analyses, see Polisse, Jeanne du Barry.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Tony lies injured on a ski slope, alone and in pain. This opening image establishes her isolated, broken state - both physically and emotionally - setting the "before" that the story will explore through flashback.
Theme
During rehabilitation, a therapist or fellow patient discusses the difference between love and dependency, asking "Who is your king?" This thematic question - about surrendering oneself to toxic love - frames Tony's entire journey.
Worldbuilding
Intercut between Tony's rehabilitation center and flashbacks to her life before meeting Georgio. We see her as a successful lawyer, her close relationship with her mother and friends, and her relatively stable but unfulfilled existence.
Disruption
Flashback: Tony meets Georgio at a mutual friend's party. His charisma, charm, and intensity immediately captivate her. He pursues her relentlessly, breaking through her defenses with his spontaneity and passion.
Resistance
Tony debates whether to give in to Georgio. Her friends and mother express concerns about his unpredictability. Georgio is charming but shows early red flags - moodiness, intensity, controlling behavior. Tony is simultaneously attracted and cautious.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Tony makes the active choice to fully commit to Georgio. They move in together, and she allows herself to fall completely in love, surrendering to the passionate relationship despite the warning signs.
Mirror World
Tony bonds with her physical therapist in the present timeline, who becomes a confidante and mirror character. Their discussions about recovery - both physical and emotional - parallel Tony's need to heal from her relationship with Georgio.
Premise
The "promise of the premise" - exploring the intoxicating highs and devastating lows of Tony and Georgio's relationship. Passionate sex, spontaneous adventures, deep connection, but also jealousy, fights, and Georgio's erratic behavior. Tony becomes pregnant and they have a child.
Midpoint
False victory turns to defeat: Tony discovers Georgio has been unfaithful. What seemed like a passionate, special love reveals its toxicity. The stakes raise - they have a child together, making escape more complicated. She confronts him but doesn't leave.
Opposition
The relationship deteriorates. Georgio's behavior becomes more erratic and emotionally abusive. Tony tries to make it work for their child. Her friends and family pressure her to leave. The cycle of breakup and reconciliation intensifies, with Georgio's manipulation becoming clearer.
Collapse
Tony finally leaves Georgio for good. This "death" of the relationship and of her illusions about love represents her lowest point. In the present, her physical therapy reveals the emotional toll - her injury metaphorically represents her broken state from the relationship.
Crisis
Tony processes the grief and trauma in both timelines. In rehabilitation, she struggles with physical pain and emotional healing. She confronts the reality that she allowed herself to be diminished, that her "king" was actually her destroyer.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Tony has a breakthrough in therapy - both physical and emotional. She realizes that recovery means accepting what happened without letting it define her. She understands that loving Georgio and recognizing the relationship's toxicity can coexist. She chooses to heal.
Synthesis
Tony completes her physical rehabilitation and continues her emotional recovery. She reconnects with her support system, focuses on her child, and begins to reclaim her identity separate from Georgio. She takes final legal and personal steps to close that chapter.
Transformation
Tony walks out of the rehabilitation center on her own, physically healed. The closing image mirrors the opening - but now she walks forward with strength and self-possession, no longer broken. She has reclaimed herself from her "king."