Poor Things
Brought back to life by an unorthodox scientist, a young woman runs off with a lawyer on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, she grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.
Despite a respectable budget of $35.0M, Poor Things became a solid performer, earning $117.6M worldwide—a 236% return.
4 Oscars. 120 wins & 426 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%)
Poor Things (2023) exemplifies meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Yorgos Lanthimos's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 21 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 Bella Baxter exists in Godwin's controlled Victorian mansion, a woman with an infant's mind in an adult body, isolated from the world and completely dependent on her creator-guardian.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Duncan Wedderburn arrives and seduces Bella with promises of adventure and experience beyond Godwin's walls, awakening her desire to see the world and discover pleasure.. 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 35 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Bella makes the active choice to run away with Duncan to Lisbon, abandoning Godwin's protection and Max's proposal to pursue her own journey of discovery and pleasure., moving from reaction to action.
At 71 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False defeat: Duncan loses all their money gambling, and Bella must take work in a Parisian brothel to survive, seemingly trapped in exploitation and commodification of her body., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 106 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Alfie reveals Bella's true past: she was his wife Victoria, whom he abused until she committed suicide. He claims ownership and takes her back to London to imprison and mutilate her, representing the death of her freedom., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 112 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Bella returns to Godwin's house where he is dying. She synthesizes her journey: claiming her medical knowledge, choosing Max on her own terms, and deciding to perform surgery on Alfie instead of being his victim., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Poor Things'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 Poor Things against these established plot points, we can identify how Yorgos Lanthimos utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Poor Things within the science fiction genre.
Yorgos Lanthimos's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Yorgos Lanthimos films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Poor Things represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Yorgos Lanthimos filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional science fiction films include Lake Placid, The Postman and Oblivion. For more Yorgos Lanthimos analyses, see The Favourite, The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Bella Baxter exists in Godwin's controlled Victorian mansion, a woman with an infant's mind in an adult body, isolated from the world and completely dependent on her creator-guardian.
Theme
Godwin tells Max: "I must go punch that child" - establishing the film's exploration of how society attempts to control and punish those who don't conform, particularly women seeking autonomy.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Godwin's grotesque experiments, Bella's rapid mental development, Max's arrival as observer and suitor, and the revelation of Bella's origin: a pregnant suicide victim resurrected with her own baby's brain.
Disruption
Duncan Wedderburn arrives and seduces Bella with promises of adventure and experience beyond Godwin's walls, awakening her desire to see the world and discover pleasure.
Resistance
Bella debates leaving with Duncan versus marrying Max as Godwin wishes. She explores her sexuality, questions authority, and ultimately chooses her own desire for experience over prescribed safety.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Bella makes the active choice to run away with Duncan to Lisbon, abandoning Godwin's protection and Max's proposal to pursue her own journey of discovery and pleasure.
Mirror World
Bella experiences Lisbon and begins her philosophical awakening through encounters with diverse people, particularly seeing suffering and poverty that challenges her hedonistic worldview.
Premise
The "fun and games" of Bella's sexual and intellectual liberation: travels through Europe, voracious reading, philosophical discussions, dancing, and increasingly frustrating Duncan with her independence and curiosity.
Midpoint
False defeat: Duncan loses all their money gambling, and Bella must take work in a Parisian brothel to survive, seemingly trapped in exploitation and commodification of her body.
Opposition
Bella works at the brothel but transforms it into a space of learning and empowerment. Men attempt to control her (Duncan's possessiveness, clients' demands), but she develops socialist politics and true agency. Her past (General Alfie Blessington) emerges as a threat.
Collapse
Alfie reveals Bella's true past: she was his wife Victoria, whom he abused until she committed suicide. He claims ownership and takes her back to London to imprison and mutilate her, representing the death of her freedom.
Crisis
Bella faces Alfie's plan to surgically remove her autonomy. She confronts the horror of who she was versus who she has become, and the men who believe they own women's bodies and minds.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Bella returns to Godwin's house where he is dying. She synthesizes her journey: claiming her medical knowledge, choosing Max on her own terms, and deciding to perform surgery on Alfie instead of being his victim.
Synthesis
Bella reverses power: she performs experimental surgery on Alfie (giving him a goat's brain), marries Max as equals, continues Godwin's work as a surgeon, and creates a household of liberated women and hybrid creatures.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening but transformed: Bella in the garden, now fully autonomous, reading philosophy, surrounded by her chosen family and creations, master of her own body and destiny.