Sleeper
Miles Monroe, a clarinet-playing health food store proprietor, is revived out of cryostasis 200 years into a future world in order to help rebels fight an oppressive government regime.
Despite its tight budget of $2.0M, Sleeper became a box office phenomenon, earning $18.3M worldwide—a remarkable 817% return. The film's compelling narrative attracted moviegoers, illustrating how strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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%)
Sleeper (1973) exemplifies meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Woody Allen's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 27 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Miles Monroe, a health food store owner and jazz musician, is wheeled into surgery for a routine ulcer operation in 1973. His ordinary life as a neurotic New Yorker is established before everything changes.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Police arrive at the facility. Miles must flee immediately, disguised as a robot servant. His hope of being returned to 1973 is shattered as he's thrust into a world he doesn't understand.. 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 First Threshold at 21 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Miles' robot disguise is discovered when he's exposed as human. He kidnaps Luna and they flee together into the wilderness. This active choice to take Luna as hostage launches him fully into the adventure of overthrowing the regime., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 65 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Miles is successfully brainwashed, his personality erased. He becomes a conformist poet praising the Leader—everything he fought against. His authentic self appears to be dead, representing the death of individuality and freedom., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 69 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Miles and Luna execute the plan to destroy the Leader's nose (all that remains of him, being cloned for resurrection). They infiltrate the medical facility, confront the authorities, and successfully prevent the dictator's return, striking a blow for freedom., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Sleeper's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Sleeper against these established plot points, we can identify how Woody Allen utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Sleeper within the comedy genre.
Woody Allen's Structural Approach
Among the 42 Woody Allen films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Sleeper represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Woody Allen filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Woody Allen analyses, see Celebrity, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex *But Were Afraid to Ask and Love and Death.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Miles Monroe, a health food store owner and jazz musician, is wheeled into surgery for a routine ulcer operation in 1973. His ordinary life as a neurotic New Yorker is established before everything changes.
Theme
The scientists explain that Miles must hide from the totalitarian government: "You're the only person alive who doesn't have an identification number." Theme of identity, freedom, and what it means to be human in a controlled society.
Worldbuilding
Miles awakens 200 years in the future (2173) and is introduced to the dystopian world: police state government, Luna as the dictator, bizarre future technology, and changed social norms. Scientists explain he was cryogenically frozen after complications and they need his help to overthrow the regime.
Disruption
Police arrive at the facility. Miles must flee immediately, disguised as a robot servant. His hope of being returned to 1973 is shattered as he's thrust into a world he doesn't understand.
Resistance
Miles, disguised as a robot domestic servant, is assigned to Luna Schlosser's home. He struggles to adapt to the future while maintaining his cover, learning about this new world and debating how to survive. Luna represents the vapid, conformist society he must navigate.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Miles' robot disguise is discovered when he's exposed as human. He kidnaps Luna and they flee together into the wilderness. This active choice to take Luna as hostage launches him fully into the adventure of overthrowing the regime.
Premise
The fun and games of Miles and Luna navigating the future world: hiding from authorities, comic misadventures with futuristic technology, Miles performing slapstick routines, and Luna gradually questioning her programmed beliefs as Miles shares his 20th-century values and authentic emotions.
Opposition
Miles and Luna work with the resistance to infiltrate the Aries Project. The plan becomes more dangerous as security tightens. Miles is captured by the police and subjected to reprogramming to erase his identity and turn him into a compliant citizen.
Collapse
Miles is successfully brainwashed, his personality erased. He becomes a conformist poet praising the Leader—everything he fought against. His authentic self appears to be dead, representing the death of individuality and freedom.
Crisis
Luna, now fully awakened to the resistance cause, must rescue Miles and restore his identity. She captures him and the rebels work to deprogram him, reversing the brainwashing in a dark comic sequence.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Miles and Luna execute the plan to destroy the Leader's nose (all that remains of him, being cloned for resurrection). They infiltrate the medical facility, confront the authorities, and successfully prevent the dictator's return, striking a blow for freedom.