Sliver
A woman moves into a Manhattan apartment, where she learns that the previous tenant's life ended under mysterious circumstances.
Despite a mid-range budget of $40.0M, Sliver became a box office success, earning $116.3M worldwide—a 191% return.
4 wins & 9 nominations
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%)
Sliver (1993) exemplifies precise story structure, characteristic of Phillip Noyce's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Carly Norris
Zeke Hawkins
Jack Landsford
Vida Warren
Main Cast & Characters
Carly Norris
Played by Sharon Stone
A book editor who moves into a high-tech apartment building and becomes entangled in mystery and voyeurism
Zeke Hawkins
Played by William Baldwin
The young, charismatic building owner who has secretly wired the entire building with surveillance cameras
Jack Landsford
Played by Tom Berenger
A novelist and fellow tenant who becomes romantically interested in Carly
Vida Warren
Played by Polly Walker
Carly's friend and colleague who provides support and warnings about the building
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes A woman falls to her death from the sleek Manhattan high-rise known as the Sliver, establishing the building as a place of hidden danger and mystery.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Carly discovers she bears an uncanny resemblance to the woman who died in her apartment, and neighbors begin treating her strangely, making her question the circumstances of her predecessor's death.. 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Carly chooses to begin a passionate affair with Zeke, crossing the threshold into an intense relationship despite warnings from neighbors and her own instincts about his mysterious nature., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat A building resident is murdered, and evidence begins pointing to Zeke as a possible killer. Carly realizes the man she's fallen for may be responsible for multiple deaths, transforming her romantic adventure into a dangerous investigation., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Carly discovers video evidence that seems to prove Zeke is the killer, shattering her trust and leaving her trapped in a building controlled by the man she now fears. Her romantic dream collapses into nightmare as she realizes how completely she's been manipulated and surveilled., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 86 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Carly discovers the truth - Jack Landsford is actually the killer, having used his knowledge of Zeke's surveillance to frame him. She realizes Zeke, despite his voyeurism, is not the murderer she feared., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Sliver's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Sliver against these established plot points, we can identify how Phillip Noyce utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Sliver within the drama genre.
Phillip Noyce's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Phillip Noyce films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Sliver takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Phillip Noyce filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include After Thomas, South Pacific and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. For more Phillip Noyce analyses, see The Bone Collector, Clear and Present Danger and Salt.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
A woman falls to her death from the sleek Manhattan high-rise known as the Sliver, establishing the building as a place of hidden danger and mystery.
Theme
Carly's colleague warns her about the building's dark history and the previous tenant's death, suggesting that some places hold secrets people shouldn't uncover.
Worldbuilding
Carly Norris, a recently divorced book editor, moves into the Sliver apartment building seeking a fresh start. She meets her eccentric neighbors including author Jack Landsford and the charming young building owner Zeke Hawkins, while learning about the mysterious death of the previous tenant who resembled her.
Disruption
Carly discovers she bears an uncanny resemblance to the woman who died in her apartment, and neighbors begin treating her strangely, making her question the circumstances of her predecessor's death.
Resistance
Carly is courted by both Zeke and Jack, each offering different perspectives on the building and its residents. She debates whether to investigate the suspicious death or simply enjoy her new life, while becoming increasingly drawn to the mysterious Zeke.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Carly chooses to begin a passionate affair with Zeke, crossing the threshold into an intense relationship despite warnings from neighbors and her own instincts about his mysterious nature.
Mirror World
Zeke reveals his hidden world to Carly - his sophisticated video surveillance system that monitors every apartment in the building, presenting voyeurism as intimate knowledge and connection rather than violation.
Premise
Carly becomes seduced by both Zeke and the voyeuristic power of watching the building's residents through his cameras. She explores this forbidden pleasure while another suspicious death occurs in the building, deepening the mystery of who is responsible for the violence.
Midpoint
A building resident is murdered, and evidence begins pointing to Zeke as a possible killer. Carly realizes the man she's fallen for may be responsible for multiple deaths, transforming her romantic adventure into a dangerous investigation.
Opposition
Carly is caught between her attraction to Zeke and her growing suspicion of his involvement in the murders. Jack Landsford offers an alternative theory implicating Zeke, while Carly secretly investigates, finding disturbing evidence. Her paranoia grows as she realizes she's been watched in her most intimate moments.
Collapse
Carly discovers video evidence that seems to prove Zeke is the killer, shattering her trust and leaving her trapped in a building controlled by the man she now fears. Her romantic dream collapses into nightmare as she realizes how completely she's been manipulated and surveilled.
Crisis
Carly grapples with betrayal and fear, unable to trust anyone in the building. She must decide whether to flee, confront Zeke, or find proof of the truth while knowing her every move may be watched.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Carly discovers the truth - Jack Landsford is actually the killer, having used his knowledge of Zeke's surveillance to frame him. She realizes Zeke, despite his voyeurism, is not the murderer she feared.
Synthesis
Jack reveals himself as the killer and threatens Carly. In a violent confrontation, Carly fights for her life. She ultimately kills Jack in self-defense and must reckon with the moral complexities of Zeke's surveillance obsession and her own complicity in the voyeurism.
Transformation
Carly destroys Zeke's surveillance system, rejecting the seduction of voyeurism and reclaiming her privacy. She walks away from both men, transformed from passive observer to someone who chooses to stop watching and start living authentically.