Rings
Julia becomes worried about her boyfriend Holt when he explores the dark urban legend of a mysterious videotape said to kill the watcher seven days after viewing. She sacrifices herself to save her boyfriend and in doing so makes a horrifying discovery: there is a "movie within the movie" that no one has ever seen before.
Despite a mid-range budget of $25.0M, Rings became a commercial success, earning $83.1M worldwide—a 232% 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%)
Rings (2017) reveals meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of F. Javier Gutiérrez's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Julia is a college student in a stable relationship with Holt, who is leaving for college. They share a loving goodbye, establishing their normal world before separation.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Julia discovers Holt has watched Samara's cursed video and is part of Professor Gabriel's experiment studying the tape. Her boyfriend is now in mortal danger with days to live.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Julia makes the active choice to watch the cursed video herself to save Holt by passing the curse to herself, fully entering the world of Samara's mystery., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Julia and Holt discover Samara's remains and the truth about her birth mother in the town of Sacrament Valley. The stakes raise as they realize the curse goes deeper than they thought - Samara was never meant to be born., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Julia is pulled into a vision/the well by Samara. Holt believes she is dead or lost. Julia confronts Samara directly in a nightmarish realm and seems to be dying or consumed by the curse., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Julia confronts and overcomes Samara using her newfound understanding. She and Holt burn Samara's remains and attempt to end the curse. They escape the supernatural threat and destroy Gabriel's video archive., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Rings's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Rings against these established plot points, we can identify how F. Javier Gutiérrez utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Rings within the horror genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Julia is a college student in a stable relationship with Holt, who is leaving for college. They share a loving goodbye, establishing their normal world before separation.
Theme
A character mentions "some things you can't come back from" - foreshadowing the theme of knowledge, curiosity, and the price of seeking forbidden truth.
Worldbuilding
Julia struggles with Holt being away at college and out of contact. We learn about their relationship, her concerns, and the ordinary college life setting before the cursed video enters their world.
Disruption
Julia discovers Holt has watched Samara's cursed video and is part of Professor Gabriel's experiment studying the tape. Her boyfriend is now in mortal danger with days to live.
Resistance
Julia travels to Holt's college and meets Professor Gabriel, learning about the video experiment and the seven-day curse. She debates whether to get involved and how to save Holt.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Julia makes the active choice to watch the cursed video herself to save Holt by passing the curse to herself, fully entering the world of Samara's mystery.
Mirror World
Julia discovers her version of the video is different and longer, containing hidden images and clues. Holt commits to helping her solve the mystery, deepening their relationship under dire circumstances.
Premise
Julia and Holt investigate the new clues in her video, traveling to discover Samara's origins. They explore the mythology of the curse, uncover hidden history, and experience supernatural encounters.
Midpoint
Julia and Holt discover Samara's remains and the truth about her birth mother in the town of Sacrament Valley. The stakes raise as they realize the curse goes deeper than they thought - Samara was never meant to be born.
Opposition
Gabriel pursues Julia to exploit her unique video. Samara's presence intensifies. Julia experiences horrifying visions and supernatural attacks. The blind priest reveals dark truths about Samara's evil nature.
Collapse
Julia is pulled into a vision/the well by Samara. Holt believes she is dead or lost. Julia confronts Samara directly in a nightmarish realm and seems to be dying or consumed by the curse.
Crisis
Julia is trapped in Samara's dark world, facing her greatest fear and the reality that she may not escape. Holt desperately tries to reach her. The emotional low point as hope seems lost.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Julia confronts and overcomes Samara using her newfound understanding. She and Holt burn Samara's remains and attempt to end the curse. They escape the supernatural threat and destroy Gabriel's video archive.
Transformation
Julia appears safe but reveals she is pregnant - implying Samara has found a way to be reborn through her. The curse has transformed into something worse, and Julia is forever changed by her encounter with evil.