Project Almanac
A group of teens discover secret plans of a time machine, and construct one. However, things start to get out of control.
Despite its limited budget of $12.0M, Project Almanac became a solid performer, earning $33.2M worldwide—a 177% 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%)
Project Almanac (2015) showcases precise narrative design, characteristic of Dean Israelite's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 46 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes David films himself preparing his MIT application video, establishing his status as a brilliant but financially struggling high school senior living with his widowed mother and younger sister.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False victory turns to defeat: David and Jessie are finally together, but reality begins glitching. A plane crash that wasn't supposed to happen kills people. The group realizes their changes have created serious ripple effects. Stakes are raised., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All is lost: Jessie dies in a car accident caused by the timeline alterations. David realizes his attempts to create a perfect life have destroyed everything. His friends abandon him. This is the "whiff of death" - literal death of the girl he loves., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. David travels back to the beginning, destroys the equipment, and hides the blueprints where his younger self won't find them. He ensures the time travel experiments never happen, accepting that he'll lose everything he gained but save everyone from the consequences., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Project Almanac'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 Project Almanac against these established plot points, we can identify how Dean Israelite utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Project Almanac within the science fiction genre.
Dean Israelite's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Dean Israelite films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Project Almanac takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Dean Israelite filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional science fiction films include Lake Placid, The Postman and Oblivion. For more Dean Israelite analyses, see Power Rangers.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
David films himself preparing his MIT application video, establishing his status as a brilliant but financially struggling high school senior living with his widowed mother and younger sister.
Theme
David's friend Quinn says "If you could go back and change one thing, what would it be?" - foreshadowing the consequences of altering the past and the core question of whether we should fix our mistakes.
Worldbuilding
David's world is established: he needs MIT scholarship money, his father died years ago, he's a science genius with loyal friends (Quinn and Adam), and he's attracted to popular girl Jessie. He discovers his 7-year-old self in footage from his birthday party.
Resistance
David and friends debate whether the plans are real, recruit Jessie to help, gather components, and work through the technical challenges of building the time machine. They question if they should actually attempt this.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The "fun and games" of time travel: the group tests it on themselves, goes back to ace a test, win the lottery, attend Lollapalooza, and get revenge on bullies. David uses it to create the perfect moment with Jessie. This is the wish-fulfillment the premise promised.
Midpoint
False victory turns to defeat: David and Jessie are finally together, but reality begins glitching. A plane crash that wasn't supposed to happen kills people. The group realizes their changes have created serious ripple effects. Stakes are raised.
Opposition
Consequences multiply: relationships fracture, Quinn is injured, reality becomes increasingly unstable, and David becomes obsessed with fixing problems by going back repeatedly. Each fix creates new problems. The group splinters and David's flaws - his selfishness and need for control - worsen everything.
Collapse
All is lost: Jessie dies in a car accident caused by the timeline alterations. David realizes his attempts to create a perfect life have destroyed everything. His friends abandon him. This is the "whiff of death" - literal death of the girl he loves.
Crisis
David processes the devastating loss in isolation, reviewing footage and spiraling through despair. He confronts the dark truth: his selfish desire to control and perfect his life has caused irreparable harm.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
David travels back to the beginning, destroys the equipment, and hides the blueprints where his younger self won't find them. He ensures the time travel experiments never happen, accepting that he'll lose everything he gained but save everyone from the consequences.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening: David films his MIT application video again, but in this timeline he never found the blueprints. He sees Jessie at school - they don't know each other. He's learned you can't cheat your way to happiness, but the lesson cost him everything.