She-Devil
Ruth is a wife and mother who tries to please her husband (Bob) but finds him pulling away and spending more time at the office than at home. When he begins an affair with a famous romance novelist (Mary) and leaves Ruth to raise their kids, she decides she's had enough of playing nice docile housewife. Ruth endeavors to show Bob and Mary the truth about themselves and each other, while creating a new successful life of her own.
The film underperformed commercially against its mid-range budget of $20.0M, earning $15.4M globally (-23% 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%)
She-Devil (1989) reveals deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Susan Seidelman's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 10-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 39 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ruth Patchett is introduced as a frumpy, subservient housewife preparing for a party, fussing over details while her husband Bob dismisses her efforts. She exists only to serve her family.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Bob calls Ruth a "she-devil" during a fight and announces he's leaving her for Mary Fisher. Ruth is devastated and humiliated as her husband abandons her and their children for the glamorous novelist.. 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.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Bob is arrested for embezzlement and Mary loses everything - her wealth, home, and dignity. Ruth realizes her revenge has destroyed not just them, but any chance for her own genuine happiness. The "she-devil" identity is empty., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 79 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Ruth completes her transformation by choosing mercy and moving forward. She's built a successful career, has genuine friendships, and has become truly independent. She releases her need for revenge and embraces her new self., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
She-Devil's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 10 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping She-Devil against these established plot points, we can identify how Susan Seidelman utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish She-Devil within the comedy genre.
Susan Seidelman's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Susan Seidelman films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. She-Devil takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Susan Seidelman filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Susan Seidelman analyses, see Desperately Seeking Susan.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ruth Patchett is introduced as a frumpy, subservient housewife preparing for a party, fussing over details while her husband Bob dismisses her efforts. She exists only to serve her family.
Theme
At the party, someone remarks about romance novelist Mary Fisher: "She's living the dream - successful, beautiful, in control of her own destiny." This states the theme of female agency and self-determination.
Worldbuilding
Ruth's mundane suburban life is established: ungrateful husband Bob, two difficult children, crushing domesticity. Bob meets Mary Fisher at the party and is immediately smitten. Ruth is utterly powerless in her own life.
Disruption
Bob calls Ruth a "she-devil" during a fight and announces he's leaving her for Mary Fisher. Ruth is devastated and humiliated as her husband abandons her and their children for the glamorous novelist.
Resistance
Ruth wallows in misery and anger, watching her life fall apart. She observes Mary Fisher's perfect life on TV and in magazines. The initial shock gives way to a cold, calculating fury as she formulates a plan.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Ruth executes her revenge scheme with dark comic precision: she dumps the kids on Bob and Mary, destroys Bob's career by sabotaging his accounting firm, burns down her own house. Meanwhile, she reinvents herself professionally.
Opposition
The consequences escalate: Bob embezzles from Mary to cover his debts, Mary's glamorous life completely crumbles under the weight of reality, and Ruth must confront whether destruction is truly satisfying. Her anger begins to feel hollow.
Collapse
Bob is arrested for embezzlement and Mary loses everything - her wealth, home, and dignity. Ruth realizes her revenge has destroyed not just them, but any chance for her own genuine happiness. The "she-devil" identity is empty.
Crisis
Ruth reflects on what she's become and what she's lost. She's won the revenge game but feels hollow. She must decide whether to continue destroying or find a new path forward that isn't defined by Bob or Mary.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Ruth completes her transformation by choosing mercy and moving forward. She's built a successful career, has genuine friendships, and has become truly independent. She releases her need for revenge and embraces her new self.