Silence
In the 17th century, two Portuguese Jesuit priests travel to Japan in an attempt to locate their mentor, who is rumored to have committed apostasy, and to propagate Catholicism.
The film struggled financially against its mid-range budget of $46.0M, earning $23.8M globally (-48% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its fresh perspective within the drama 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%)
Silence (2016) exemplifies strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of Martin Scorsese's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 41 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Father Ferreira witnesses the torture of Japanese Christians, hanging upside down over pits. The opening establishes a world of brutal religious persecution and suffering.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The First Threshold at 41 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to The village is discovered. Rodrigues and Garupe are forced to separate to avoid capture, entering the dangerous world of being hunted priests in a land where Christianity is punishable by death., moving from reaction to action.
At 81 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Rodrigues is captured and imprisoned. False victory turns to defeat - his mission to remain free and minister is over. He now faces the persecution directly rather than witnessing it from hiding., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 122 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Christians are tortured in the pit while authorities wait for Rodrigues to apostatize to end their suffering. Rodrigues faces his darkest moment - his faith is causing others to die, and God remains silent to his prayers., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 129 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Rodrigues lives as an apostate with a Japanese name, working for the government inspecting goods for Christian contraband. He continues a hidden internal faith while outwardly conforming. Kichijiro continues seeking confession, and Rodrigues secretly grants it., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Silence's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Silence against these established plot points, we can identify how Martin Scorsese utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Silence within the drama genre.
Martin Scorsese's Structural Approach
Among the 16 Martin Scorsese films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.0, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. Silence represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Martin Scorsese filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Martin Scorsese analyses, see The Aviator, After Hours and Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Father Ferreira witnesses the torture of Japanese Christians, hanging upside down over pits. The opening establishes a world of brutal religious persecution and suffering.
Theme
Father Valignano warns Rodrigues and Garupe that Japan is a "swamp" where Christianity cannot take root. This states the film's central question: Can faith survive in hostile soil?
Worldbuilding
In Portugal, Fathers Rodrigues and Garupe learn of their mentor Ferreira's apostasy in Japan. They refuse to believe it and petition to travel to Japan to find the truth and continue missionary work despite warnings.
Resistance
Rodrigues and Garupe travel to Japan with guide Kichijiro, arriving in secret at a hidden Christian village. They minister to the faithful, hear confessions, and witness the devotion of Japanese Christians living in fear.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The village is discovered. Rodrigues and Garupe are forced to separate to avoid capture, entering the dangerous world of being hunted priests in a land where Christianity is punishable by death.
Mirror World
Kichijiro becomes Rodrigues's constant companion and spiritual mirror - a weak Christian who repeatedly betrays and seeks forgiveness, embodying the human struggle with faith and representing the theme of weakness versus spiritual pride.
Premise
Rodrigues ministers in hiding, moving between villages, witnessing the persecution of Christians. He struggles with God's silence in the face of suffering while maintaining his faith and mission. The cat-and-mouse game with authorities intensifies.
Midpoint
Rodrigues is captured and imprisoned. False victory turns to defeat - his mission to remain free and minister is over. He now faces the persecution directly rather than witnessing it from hiding.
Opposition
The Inquisitor psychologically tortures Rodrigues, forcing him to watch Christians suffer unless he apostatizes. Rodrigues meets the apostate Ferreira, who reveals his own journey and attempts to convince Rodrigues that Japan cannot sustain Christianity.
Collapse
Christians are tortured in the pit while authorities wait for Rodrigues to apostatize to end their suffering. Rodrigues faces his darkest moment - his faith is causing others to die, and God remains silent to his prayers.
Crisis
Rodrigues wrestles with the impossible choice: maintain his faith and let others suffer, or commit the ultimate sin of apostasy to save lives. He confronts the meaning of faith, pride, and Christ's teaching about love and sacrifice.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Rodrigues lives as an apostate with a Japanese name, working for the government inspecting goods for Christian contraband. He continues a hidden internal faith while outwardly conforming. Kichijiro continues seeking confession, and Rodrigues secretly grants it.