Scream
A year after her mother's death, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) and her friends started experiencing some strange phone calls. They later learned the calls were coming from a crazed serial killer, in a white faced mask and a large black robe, looking for revenge. His phone calls usually consist of many questions, the main one being: What's your favorite scary movie? Along with much scary movie trivia, ending with bloody pieces of innocent lives scattered around the small town of Woodsboro.
Despite its small-scale budget of $14.0M, Scream became a massive hit, earning $173.0M worldwide—a remarkable 1136% return. The film's fresh perspective connected with viewers, showing that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
12 wins & 11 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%)
Scream (1996) exhibits deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Wes Craven's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 52 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Casey Becker is home alone, starting what seems like a normal evening making popcorn, about to watch a movie. The suburban setting appears safe and ordinary.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Sidney is attacked by Ghostface in her home. The killer who murdered Casey has now targeted her directly, bringing the violence into her personal life and forcing her to confront a new threat.. 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.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Gale and Dewey discover that the principal has been killed and his car is at the party. The stakes escalate dramatically—the killer is at the party right now, among them. The investigation shifts from protection to active danger., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 84 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Billy is "killed" in front of Sidney, and she believes she's lost the person she loved. This represents the death of her ability to trust and her last connection to normalcy. She is now completely alone and vulnerable., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 89 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Billy and Stu reveal themselves as the killers, explaining their motive and plan. Sidney gains crucial information: the truth about who the killers are, why they targeted her, and that they killed her mother. Knowledge replaces confusion., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Scream's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Scream against these established plot points, we can identify how Wes Craven utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Scream within the horror genre.
Wes Craven's Structural Approach
Among the 14 Wes Craven films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Scream represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Wes Craven filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, Cat's Eye. For more Wes Craven analyses, see A Nightmare on Elm Street, Vampire in Brooklyn and New Nightmare.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Casey Becker is home alone, starting what seems like a normal evening making popcorn, about to watch a movie. The suburban setting appears safe and ordinary.
Theme
The killer asks Casey trivia questions about horror movies, establishing the meta-commentary: "Do you like scary movies?" This sets up the film's central conceit that knowledge of horror tropes will be crucial to survival.
Worldbuilding
Opening with Casey's murder, then establishing Sidney's world at Woodsboro High School one year after her mother's murder. We meet the friend group (Tatum, Stu, Billy, Randy), see Sidney's trauma and relationship with Billy, and establish the town's fascination with horror.
Disruption
Sidney is attacked by Ghostface in her home. The killer who murdered Casey has now targeted her directly, bringing the violence into her personal life and forcing her to confront a new threat.
Resistance
Sidney grapples with the attack while Billy is arrested and released. Randy explains the "rules" of horror movies. Gale Weathers arrives, and Sidney must navigate police protection, media attention, and suspicion of those around her. She debates whether to trust anyone.
Act II
ConfrontationMirror World
Randy becomes the film-literate guide who articulates the rules of survival. His meta-commentary on horror tropes represents the thematic counterpoint: understanding genre conventions might be the key to surviving them.
Premise
The "fun and games" of a slasher movie: multiple characters are stalked and killed, suspects are investigated and cleared, Randy's rules are explained during the party, and tension builds as Sidney navigates relationships while the body count rises.
Midpoint
Gale and Dewey discover that the principal has been killed and his car is at the party. The stakes escalate dramatically—the killer is at the party right now, among them. The investigation shifts from protection to active danger.
Opposition
The party becomes a hunting ground. Tatum is killed, guests are sent home, and Sidney becomes increasingly isolated. Multiple attacks occur, Randy and Stu become suspects, and the killer seems to anticipate every move. Trust completely breaks down.
Collapse
Billy is "killed" in front of Sidney, and she believes she's lost the person she loved. This represents the death of her ability to trust and her last connection to normalcy. She is now completely alone and vulnerable.
Crisis
Sidney grieves and processes the apparent loss of Billy while trying to survive. She's emotionally shattered, running through the house in terror, hitting her lowest point of despair and isolation before the final revelation.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Billy and Stu reveal themselves as the killers, explaining their motive and plan. Sidney gains crucial information: the truth about who the killers are, why they targeted her, and that they killed her mother. Knowledge replaces confusion.
Synthesis
Sidney uses her knowledge of horror movie rules and her survivor instinct to fight back against Billy and Stu. She outsmarts them, turns their own violence against them, and with Gale's help, systematically defeats both killers in the finale.