Sisters
Sisters Kate and Maura Ellis are summoned home to clean out their childhood bedroom before their parents sell the family house, much to their dismay. Looking to recapture their glory days, they throw one final high-school-style party for their classmates, which turns into the cathartic rager that a bunch of ground-down adults really need.
Despite a moderate budget of $30.0M, Sisters became a commercial success, earning $105.0M worldwide—a 250% return.
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%)
Sisters (2015) exhibits meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of Jason Moore's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 58 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Kate is a struggling single mother living with her daughter, unable to keep a job or apartment. Maura is a responsible nurse living alone, still holding onto her childhood bedroom at their parents' house.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when The sisters discover their parents have sold their childhood home and already emptied their bedroom, giving them one weekend to collect their remaining belongings before the new owners move in.. 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.
The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Maura actively chooses to throw the party with Kate, deciding for once to be the wild one while Kate takes care of her. They commit to inviting everyone from their high school and throwing an epic rager., moving from reaction to action.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat The party reaches its peak of success - Maura is connecting with James, Kate is bonding with her daughter, everyone is having an amazing time. False victory: they think they've recaptured their youth perfectly., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 89 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The house is catastrophically damaged (a sinkhole destroys it), their parents discover the party, and both sisters' attempts at connection fail. Kate's daughter leaves disappointed, James leaves disturbed by Maura's behavior. Their childhood home - and their attempt to relive the past - is literally destroyed., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 94 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The sisters reconcile and realize they need to support each other in moving forward, not backward. They understand that being there for each other means helping each other grow up, not relive the past., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Sisters's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Sisters against these established plot points, we can identify how Jason Moore utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Sisters within the comedy genre.
Jason Moore's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Jason Moore films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Sisters represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jason Moore filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Jason Moore analyses, see Pitch Perfect, Shotgun Wedding.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kate is a struggling single mother living with her daughter, unable to keep a job or apartment. Maura is a responsible nurse living alone, still holding onto her childhood bedroom at their parents' house.
Theme
Their parents suggest it's time to "grow up" and move on from the past, hinting at the film's theme about accepting adulthood and letting go of childhood identities.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Kate and Maura as polar opposites: Kate the wild child who never settled down, Maura the responsible one who never let loose. Their parents are selling their childhood home, forcing both sisters to confront their arrested development.
Disruption
The sisters discover their parents have sold their childhood home and already emptied their bedroom, giving them one weekend to collect their remaining belongings before the new owners move in.
Resistance
Kate and Maura debate how to respond. They go through their old belongings, reliving memories. Kate suggests they throw one last party in the house, but Maura resists, wanting to be responsible as always.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Maura actively chooses to throw the party with Kate, deciding for once to be the wild one while Kate takes care of her. They commit to inviting everyone from their high school and throwing an epic rager.
Mirror World
Maura meets James, a kind neighbor, representing the possibility of genuine adult connection versus reliving high school glory. Kate also reconnects with her estranged daughter, establishing the relationship subplot.
Premise
The party escalates into chaos. Maura lets loose and pursues James, while Kate tries to be responsible. Role reversal comedy as the house gets progressively destroyed and the party spirals out of control.
Midpoint
The party reaches its peak of success - Maura is connecting with James, Kate is bonding with her daughter, everyone is having an amazing time. False victory: they think they've recaptured their youth perfectly.
Opposition
The party becomes dangerously destructive. Their old nemesis Brinda causes problems. The house sustains serious damage. Kate's irresponsibility threatens her relationship with her daughter. Maura's drunken behavior embarrasses her with James.
Collapse
The house is catastrophically damaged (a sinkhole destroys it), their parents discover the party, and both sisters' attempts at connection fail. Kate's daughter leaves disappointed, James leaves disturbed by Maura's behavior. Their childhood home - and their attempt to relive the past - is literally destroyed.
Crisis
The sisters fight and blame each other. They face their parents' disappointment and the reality that they've been holding each other back from growing up. Dark realization that they can't recapture their youth.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The sisters reconcile and realize they need to support each other in moving forward, not backward. They understand that being there for each other means helping each other grow up, not relive the past.
Synthesis
Kate makes amends with her daughter and commits to being a responsible mother. Maura pursues James authentically. They help their parents and take responsibility for the damage. Both sisters take concrete steps toward adult lives.
Transformation
Kate has a stable job and relationship with her daughter. Maura is in a healthy relationship with James and has her own place. The sisters support each other as adults, not as arrested adolescents. They've finally grown up.