Old White Man
In order to finally get that long-awaited promotion, Heinz Hellmich, an old white man, has to show his "wokest" side at work. When he invites his superiors to a private dinner at his home, his family's politically correct façade quickly begins to crumble and the evening takes a hair-raising turn.
The film earned $8.2M at the global box office.
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%)
Old White Man (2024) exhibits precise narrative design, characteristic of Simon Verhoeven's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 54 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Opening image establishes the protagonist's isolated routine and ordinary world before change arrives.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when An unexpected encounter or revelation disrupts the protagonist's comfortable status quo and forces confrontation with uncomfortable truths.. 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 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat A revelation or turning point raises the stakes significantly, revealing that the situation is more complex and dangerous than initially understood., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 84 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The protagonist's lowest point arrives with a significant loss or failure, containing a metaphorical death of their old identity or beliefs., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 91 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The finale unfolds as the protagonist executes their plan, confronts the central conflict, and proves their transformation through action., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Old White Man's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Old White Man against these established plot points, we can identify how Simon Verhoeven utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Old White Man within the comedy genre.
Simon Verhoeven's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Simon Verhoeven films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Old White Man takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Simon Verhoeven filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Simon Verhoeven analyses, see Friend Request.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Opening image establishes the protagonist's isolated routine and ordinary world before change arrives.
Theme
A secondary character speaks dialogue that hints at the central theme of identity, legacy, and what defines a person beyond their surface.
Worldbuilding
Setup establishes the protagonist's world, relationships, daily patterns, and the underlying tensions that will soon surface.
Disruption
An unexpected encounter or revelation disrupts the protagonist's comfortable status quo and forces confrontation with uncomfortable truths.
Resistance
The protagonist resists change and debates how to respond to the disruption, wrestling with internal resistance and external pressures.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The protagonist explores this new world, experiencing both the promise and complications of their choice, navigating unfamiliar dynamics.
Midpoint
A revelation or turning point raises the stakes significantly, revealing that the situation is more complex and dangerous than initially understood.
Opposition
Forces close in as the protagonist's flaws and past mistakes catch up with them, creating mounting pressure and escalating conflict.
Collapse
The protagonist's lowest point arrives with a significant loss or failure, containing a metaphorical death of their old identity or beliefs.
Crisis
In the darkness following collapse, the protagonist processes their loss and begins to find clarity about what truly matters.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale unfolds as the protagonist executes their plan, confronts the central conflict, and proves their transformation through action.