Screwed
A chauffeur kidnaps his rich boss's dog to hold it for ransom, but when she accidentally gets the dog back, she thinks that it's the chauffeur who's been kidnapped.
The film struggled financially against its limited budget of $10.0M, earning $7.2M globally (-28% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its compelling narrative within the comedy genre.
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%)
Screwed (2000) reveals meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Larry Karaszewski's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 21 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Willard Fillmore works as a put-upon chauffeur for the cruel, wealthy Miss Crock, enduring constant abuse and humiliation despite his loyal service.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Miss Crock refuses to give Willard the raise he desperately needs and cruelly dismisses his years of service, making it clear he'll never escape his circumstances through honest means.. 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 41 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat The plan goes horribly wrong when they discover Miss Crock isn't paying the ransom and is actually using Willard's "kidnapping" for publicity and sympathy. The stakes raise as they realize they're in too deep with no easy way out., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 60 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Willard is presumed dead by everyone including Rusty. His "funeral" becomes a media spectacle, and he witnesses his own death, symbolizing the death of his old passive self. He's lost everything including his identity., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 64 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. The finale where Willard confronts Miss Crock, the truth comes out, and he takes active control to resolve the chaos. He uses both his knowledge of her world and his new assertiveness to turn the tables., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Screwed's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Screwed against these established plot points, we can identify how Larry Karaszewski utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Screwed within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Willard Fillmore works as a put-upon chauffeur for the cruel, wealthy Miss Crock, enduring constant abuse and humiliation despite his loyal service.
Theme
Rusty tells Willard that he deserves better and shouldn't let people walk all over him, establishing the theme of standing up for oneself versus remaining a doormat.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Willard's miserable life working for Miss Crock, his friendship with Rusty, and the oppressive world of servitude he inhabits. Miss Crock's cruelty is established through multiple humiliating incidents.
Disruption
Miss Crock refuses to give Willard the raise he desperately needs and cruelly dismisses his years of service, making it clear he'll never escape his circumstances through honest means.
Resistance
Rusty convinces a reluctant Willard to fake his own kidnapping to extort money from Miss Crock. Willard debates the morality and risks, but Rusty argues it's justified payback for years of abuse.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The promise of the premise: watching the fake kidnapping scheme unfold with escalating complications. Willard and Rusty navigate the chaos of their plan while the media frenzy grows and Miss Crock's response becomes unpredictable.
Midpoint
The plan goes horribly wrong when they discover Miss Crock isn't paying the ransom and is actually using Willard's "kidnapping" for publicity and sympathy. The stakes raise as they realize they're in too deep with no easy way out.
Opposition
Everything collapses around them: they're hunted by actual criminals who think the ransom is real, the FBI closes in, and their lies spiral into an increasingly dangerous web. Willard's passivity and inability to take control make things worse.
Collapse
Willard is presumed dead by everyone including Rusty. His "funeral" becomes a media spectacle, and he witnesses his own death, symbolizing the death of his old passive self. He's lost everything including his identity.
Crisis
Willard confronts the consequences of his choices and realizes that his passivity and willingness to be a victim created this disaster. He must decide whether to remain "dead" and defeated or finally take control of his life.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale where Willard confronts Miss Crock, the truth comes out, and he takes active control to resolve the chaos. He uses both his knowledge of her world and his new assertiveness to turn the tables.