Obsessed
Things couldn't be better for Derek Charles. He's just received a big promotion at work, and has a wonderful marriage with his beautiful wife, Sharon. However, into this idyllic world steps Lisa, a temporary worker at Derek's office. Lisa begins to stalk Derek, jeopardizing all he holds dear.
Despite a moderate budget of $20.0M, Obsessed became a box office success, earning $73.8M worldwide—a 269% 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%)
Obsessed (2009) showcases carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Steve Shill's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.7, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Derek and Sharon Charles celebrate at a company party. They're a successful, happy couple with a young son, living the American dream with Derek's recent promotion to asset manager.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Lisa Sheridan, the new temp worker, is assigned to Derek's office. She begins making flirtatious advances, though Derek politely deflects them, not recognizing the danger.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to At the company Christmas party, Lisa sexually assaults Derek in a bathroom stall while he's intoxicated. Derek firmly rejects her and decides he must act, requesting her removal from his office., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Lisa fakes a suicide attempt at the office, manipulating the situation to make Derek look guilty. HR and police get involved, and Derek realizes Lisa won't stop. False defeat: Derek appears to be the villain., 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 (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Lisa breaks into the Charles' home while Derek is away. She drugs Sharon with a syringe, kidnaps her in her own house, and attempts to kill her. Sharon's safety and the family unit face literal death., shows 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 79% of the runtime. Sharon fully awakens and realizes she must actively fight back. She finds her strength and refuses to be a victim. The synthesis: using both her love for her family and her fierce determination to survive., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Obsessed'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 Obsessed against these established plot points, we can identify how Steve Shill utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Obsessed within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Derek and Sharon Charles celebrate at a company party. They're a successful, happy couple with a young son, living the American dream with Derek's recent promotion to asset manager.
Theme
Sharon's friend warns her about office temptations, saying "You have to watch out for those young girls at the office." The theme: protecting what you have from external threats.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Derek and Sharon's perfect life: loving marriage, beautiful home, healthy son Kyle. Derek starts his new job with a corner office. We see their morning routines, family dynamics, and Derek's professional success.
Disruption
Lisa Sheridan, the new temp worker, is assigned to Derek's office. She begins making flirtatious advances, though Derek politely deflects them, not recognizing the danger.
Resistance
Derek tries to maintain professional boundaries as Lisa escalates her behavior: lingering touches, personal questions, staying late. Derek debates whether to report her, minimizes the situation, and tries handling it himself.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
At the company Christmas party, Lisa sexually assaults Derek in a bathroom stall while he's intoxicated. Derek firmly rejects her and decides he must act, requesting her removal from his office.
Mirror World
Sharon represents the strong, trusting partnership. Her confidence in their marriage contrasts with Derek's guilt and fear about the Lisa situation. Their relationship embodies the theme of protecting family through truth and unity.
Premise
Lisa's stalking escalates: calling the house, sending suggestive gifts, appearing at the gym. Derek tries to maintain normalcy while protecting his family, but keeps secrets from Sharon. Lisa's delusions deepen as she believes Derek loves her.
Midpoint
Lisa fakes a suicide attempt at the office, manipulating the situation to make Derek look guilty. HR and police get involved, and Derek realizes Lisa won't stop. False defeat: Derek appears to be the villain.
Opposition
Lisa infiltrates the Charles' life: befriends Sharon at the gym, comes to their home, holds baby Kyle. Sharon discovers the truth about Lisa's obsession. Derek's secrets damage his marriage. Lisa grows more unhinged and dangerous.
Collapse
Lisa breaks into the Charles' home while Derek is away. She drugs Sharon with a syringe, kidnaps her in her own house, and attempts to kill her. Sharon's safety and the family unit face literal death.
Crisis
Sharon fights for her life in a dazed state, struggling against the drugs and Lisa's attacks. The dark night of near-death as Sharon processes that she must fight or die. The marriage vows are tested to the extreme.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Sharon fully awakens and realizes she must actively fight back. She finds her strength and refuses to be a victim. The synthesis: using both her love for her family and her fierce determination to survive.
Synthesis
Sharon and Lisa fight throughout the house in brutal hand-to-hand combat. Sharon outsmarts and overpowers Lisa, ultimately causing her to fall through the attic floor to her death. Derek arrives to find Sharon victorious.
Transformation
Sharon, bloodied but strong, stands with her family intact. The final image mirrors the opening but shows transformation: Sharon is no longer just the wife in the perfect life, but a warrior who fought for her family.