On the Rocks
All it took was one long, passionate, late-night kiss on the lips to make novelist and mother-of-two Laura suspicious of her career-driven, high-reaching husband, Dean. Now, as the uncomfortable feelings of doubt and mistrust start creeping up on her, fanned by the horrible idea that the love of her life may be cheating on her, Laura reluctantly enlists the help of the impeccably dressed, semi-retired art dealer, Felix: her suave, mischievous, and effortlessly charming philanderer father. But, even though it is sometimes exhausting, we all want to be loved, and amid a persistent writer's block, Felix's innocent flirts with random women, Martini-fuelled lunches, and high-speed car chases in Manhattan's neon-lit streets, Laura needs to know. Is her life falling apart?
The film earned $992K at the global box office.
2 wins & 39 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%)
On the Rocks (2020) showcases deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Sofia Coppola's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 36 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Wedding vows voiceover as Laura and Dean marry, establishing their loving relationship before the present reality intrudes.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Laura discovers Dean's travel toiletry bag unpacked with unfamiliar expensive items, triggering concrete suspicion that he might be having an affair.. 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 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Laura actively chooses to go along with Felix's plan to follow and spy on Dean, crossing from passive worry into active investigation., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Felix and Laura impulsively fly to Mexico to continue surveillance on Dean's business trip - false victory as the investigation escalates and they feel they're closing in on the truth., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 71 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Laura confronts Felix about his own infidelities and realizes he's projecting his guilt onto Dean; her trust in her father's wisdom "dies" as she sees his flawed motivations., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Laura chooses to directly ask Dean about the affair, combining her father's lesson (pay attention) with her own wisdom (communicate honestly rather than spy)., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
On the Rocks's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping On the Rocks against these established plot points, we can identify how Sofia Coppola utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish On the Rocks within the comedy genre.
Sofia Coppola's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Sofia Coppola films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. On the Rocks represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Sofia Coppola filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Sofia Coppola analyses, see Priscilla, Lost in Translation and Marie Antoinette.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Wedding vows voiceover as Laura and Dean marry, establishing their loving relationship before the present reality intrudes.
Theme
Felix tells Laura at lunch: "Your mother was very jealous... but she was usually right." Theme stated: the tension between paranoia and intuition, trust and suspicion.
Worldbuilding
Laura's life as a mother and struggling writer in New York; Dean's demanding startup job; their domestic routine; Laura's creeping suspicions about Dean's attractive coworker Fiona.
Disruption
Laura discovers Dean's travel toiletry bag unpacked with unfamiliar expensive items, triggering concrete suspicion that he might be having an affair.
Resistance
Laura debates her suspicions internally and with her friend Vanessa; Felix enters as guide, validating her concerns and offering to help investigate Dean's behavior with his worldly experience.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Laura actively chooses to go along with Felix's plan to follow and spy on Dean, crossing from passive worry into active investigation.
Mirror World
Felix and Laura's first stakeout together establishes their father-daughter detective partnership, bringing playfulness and connection that mirrors what's missing in her marriage.
Premise
The "fun and games" of playing detective: following Dean, staking out restaurants, interpreting clues, bonding with Felix through champagne and adventure across New York.
Midpoint
Felix and Laura impulsively fly to Mexico to continue surveillance on Dean's business trip - false victory as the investigation escalates and they feel they're closing in on the truth.
Opposition
Mexico surveillance reveals nothing concrete; Laura observes Dean from a distance but finds no proof; the fun fades as she realizes the investigation is damaging her marriage and peace of mind.
Collapse
Laura confronts Felix about his own infidelities and realizes he's projecting his guilt onto Dean; her trust in her father's wisdom "dies" as she sees his flawed motivations.
Crisis
Laura sits in dark realization that she's been following her father's paranoid script rather than trusting her own judgment or her marriage; she processes the damage done.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Laura chooses to directly ask Dean about the affair, combining her father's lesson (pay attention) with her own wisdom (communicate honestly rather than spy).
Synthesis
Dean reveals he wasn't cheating but was distracted and neglectful; they honestly discuss their marriage; Laura reconciles with Felix, accepting his flaws; she returns to her writing with new clarity.
Transformation
Laura sits writing confidently in a cafe, transformed from paralyzed and suspicious to creative and self-assured, having learned to trust herself rather than external authorities.