Red Lights
The skeptical psychologist Dr. Margaret Matheson and her assistant, physicist Tom Buckley, are specialists in disclosing fraudulent paranormal phenomena. When the famous psychic Simon Silver reappears to his public after many years of absence, Tom becomes singularly obsessed in determining whether Silver is a fraud or not.
The film disappointed at the box office against its tight budget of $14.0M, earning $13.6M globally (-3% loss).
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%)
Red Lights (2012) reveals meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of Rodrigo Cortés'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 Dr. Margaret Matheson and Tom Buckley investigate a psychic surgery fraud, exposing the charlatan with scientific precision. They are professional debunkers of paranormal phenomena, skeptics who use reason and evidence.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when News breaks that Simon Silver, the legendary psychic who retired thirty years ago after Margaret's mentor died investigating him, is returning to public life. Tom is excited to investigate, but Margaret becomes visibly shaken and refuses, warning him to stay away from Silver.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Margaret suffers a sudden stroke and dies, leaving Tom without his mentor and anchor to rationality. Her death appears connected to her warnings about Silver, raising the stakes enormously. Tom is now alone in his investigation, and the paranormal seems to have claimed another victim, suggesting Silver might actually be dangerous—or real., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, During a violent confrontation, Tom appears to lose his mind completely. All evidence points to Silver being genuine, and Tom's rationalist worldview—the foundation of his identity—crumbles. He faces the terrifying possibility that everything Margaret taught him was wrong, that the paranormal is real, and that he is powerless against it., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 92 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Armed with self-knowledge, Tom confronts Simon Silver at his final performance. He consciously uses his psychic abilities for the first time, systematically dismantling Silver's act and revealing him as a fraud. The tables turn as Tom exposes Silver using the very powers he denied in himself, combining his skeptical methodology with his natural abilities., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Red Lights's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Red Lights against these established plot points, we can identify how Rodrigo Cortés utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Red Lights 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
Dr. Margaret Matheson and Tom Buckley investigate a psychic surgery fraud, exposing the charlatan with scientific precision. They are professional debunkers of paranormal phenomena, skeptics who use reason and evidence.
Theme
In Margaret's university lecture, a student challenges her about dismissing all paranormal claims. She responds that true believers will cling to faith despite evidence, stating the theme: the danger of wanting to believe so badly that you ignore what's real.
Worldbuilding
Margaret and Tom's partnership is established through their investigation work and teaching. We learn Margaret has a personal tragedy (her comatose son) that fuels her mission. They attend fraudulent séances, expose faith healers, and discuss the psychology of belief. Tom shows obsessive tendencies and exceptional analytical skills.
Disruption
News breaks that Simon Silver, the legendary psychic who retired thirty years ago after Margaret's mentor died investigating him, is returning to public life. Tom is excited to investigate, but Margaret becomes visibly shaken and refuses, warning him to stay away from Silver.
Resistance
Despite Margaret's warnings, Tom becomes obsessed with Simon Silver, attending his shows and collecting evidence. Margaret reveals her history with Silver and her mentor's mysterious death. She forbids Tom from pursuing Silver, but he debates whether to respect her wishes or follow his scientific curiosity. The tension between them grows.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Tom and Sally conduct elaborate surveillance of Simon Silver, setting up cameras, analyzing recordings, and searching for the trick behind his abilities. They experience increasingly inexplicable phenomena around Silver. Tom finds some red flags (the "red lights" that indicate fraud) but also encounters events he cannot explain, creating mounting tension between his skepticism and the evidence.
Midpoint
Margaret suffers a sudden stroke and dies, leaving Tom without his mentor and anchor to rationality. Her death appears connected to her warnings about Silver, raising the stakes enormously. Tom is now alone in his investigation, and the paranormal seems to have claimed another victim, suggesting Silver might actually be dangerous—or real.
Opposition
Tom's investigation intensifies into dangerous obsession. Silver's representatives threaten him. Strange phenomena escalate around Tom—objects move, electronic equipment malfunctions, and he experiences apparent psychic attacks. His relationship with Sally deteriorates as he becomes more erratic. He discovers connections to his own past and finds evidence that seems to confirm Silver's powers are genuine.
Collapse
During a violent confrontation, Tom appears to lose his mind completely. All evidence points to Silver being genuine, and Tom's rationalist worldview—the foundation of his identity—crumbles. He faces the terrifying possibility that everything Margaret taught him was wrong, that the paranormal is real, and that he is powerless against it.
Crisis
In his darkest moment, Tom reviews all evidence obsessively, experiencing what appears to be a breakdown. He wrestles with the implications of Silver's apparent powers and his own experiences of psychic phenomena. The rational skeptic confronts the apparent reality of the supernatural.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Armed with self-knowledge, Tom confronts Simon Silver at his final performance. He consciously uses his psychic abilities for the first time, systematically dismantling Silver's act and revealing him as a fraud. The tables turn as Tom exposes Silver using the very powers he denied in himself, combining his skeptical methodology with his natural abilities.