Silver Bullet
The small town of Tarker's Mills was a place that was very peaceful, where nothing extraordinary ever happened until one night when murders began. The townspeople believe it's some maniacal killer on the loose whom they intend to hunt down. Marty, a young handicapped boy, believes the killer is no man at all, but a werewolf. After a run-in with the werewolf, Marty and his sister Jane hunt all over town for the man who is the werewolf.
Working with a limited budget of $7.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $12.4M in global revenue (+77% profit margin).
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%)
Silver Bullet (1985) exemplifies deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Dan Attias's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 35 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 Narrator Jane introduces Tarker's Mills, a quiet small town in spring 1976. Marty Coslaw, a wheelchair-bound boy, lives a normal life with his sister Jane and Uncle Red, unaware of the horror approaching.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when A series of savage murders escalates in town, including a young boy. The violence becomes personal and pervasive, disrupting the peaceful community. Vigilante sentiment rises as fear grips Tarker's Mills.. 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.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Marty and Jane discover Reverend Lowe has a damaged eye, confirming he is the werewolf. False defeat: they know the truth but are children who no one will believe, and their enemy is the town's moral authority. Stakes drastically raised., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 72 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Reverend Lowe directly confronts and threatens Marty, revealing his torment and making clear he will kill the boy. The "whiff of death" is palpable as the werewolf enters Marty's sanctuary (his home), and Marty realizes he cannot escape or hide., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The final confrontation at the Coslaw home during the next full moon. The werewolf attacks, and the family works together. Marty, Jane, and Uncle Red fight the beast. Marty must find his courage to fire the silver bullet, becoming the hero Uncle Red said he could be., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Silver Bullet's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Silver Bullet against these established plot points, we can identify how Dan Attias utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Silver Bullet 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
Narrator Jane introduces Tarker's Mills, a quiet small town in spring 1976. Marty Coslaw, a wheelchair-bound boy, lives a normal life with his sister Jane and Uncle Red, unaware of the horror approaching.
Theme
Uncle Red tells Marty that "sometimes you gotta be a hero" when discussing standing up to bullies and life's challenges, establishing the film's theme of ordinary courage in extraordinary circumstances.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Tarker's Mills community, the Coslaw family dynamics, Marty's relationship with sister Jane and Uncle Red. Introduction of townspeople including Reverend Lowe. The first brutal murder occurs (railroad worker), then pregnant woman Stella, creating fear in the community.
Disruption
A series of savage murders escalates in town, including a young boy. The violence becomes personal and pervasive, disrupting the peaceful community. Vigilante sentiment rises as fear grips Tarker's Mills.
Resistance
Town debates how to respond to the killings. Vigilante mob forms despite sheriff's warnings. Uncle Red tries to protect Marty by enforcing curfew. The failed vigilante hunt results in more deaths. Marty receives the "Silver Bullet" motorized wheelchair from Uncle Red.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Marty realizes there's a werewolf and tries to convince others. He enlists reluctant sister Jane to help search for a one-eyed man in town. They investigate townspeople, growing closer as siblings. The premise delivers: a disabled kid and his sister hunt a werewolf in their small town.
Midpoint
Marty and Jane discover Reverend Lowe has a damaged eye, confirming he is the werewolf. False defeat: they know the truth but are children who no one will believe, and their enemy is the town's moral authority. Stakes drastically raised.
Opposition
Reverend Lowe becomes aware that Marty knows his secret. The werewolf/reverend begins stalking the family. Psychological terror increases as Lowe makes threatening contact. Marty tries to convince Uncle Red, who initially dismisses it. The monster closes in while the children are disbelieved.
Collapse
Reverend Lowe directly confronts and threatens Marty, revealing his torment and making clear he will kill the boy. The "whiff of death" is palpable as the werewolf enters Marty's sanctuary (his home), and Marty realizes he cannot escape or hide.
Crisis
Marty processes the existential threat and his powerlessness. Uncle Red finally believes the children after seeing evidence. The family faces the dark reality that they must take action themselves, as no authority will help them. Despair turns to grim determination.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The final confrontation at the Coslaw home during the next full moon. The werewolf attacks, and the family works together. Marty, Jane, and Uncle Red fight the beast. Marty must find his courage to fire the silver bullet, becoming the hero Uncle Red said he could be.