Spellbound
Dr. Constance Petersen (Ingrid Bergman) is a psychiatrist at Green Manors mental asylum. The head of Green Manors has just been replaced, with his replacement being the renowned Dr. Anthony Edwardes (Gregory Peck). Romance blossoms between Dr. Petersen and Dr. Edwards, but Dr. Edwards starts to show odd aversions and personality traits...
Despite its small-scale budget of $1.5M, Spellbound became a financial success, earning $7.0M worldwide—a 367% return. The film's innovative storytelling found its audience, illustrating how strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
1 Oscar. 7 wins & 6 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%)
Spellbound (1945) reveals strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Alfred Hitchcock's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 51 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.5, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Dr. Constance Petersen works as a psychoanalyst at Green Manors mental asylum, professional and emotionally detached, dedicated to her work with patients. The opening text establishes the theme of psychoanalysis unlocking doors of the mind.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Dr. Anthony Edwardes arrives at Green Manors and Constance immediately feels an unexpected attraction to him. For the first time, her professional composure is disrupted by romantic feelings, contradicting everything she believed about herself.. 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to The man admits he is not Dr. Edwardes—he is an imposter suffering from amnesia who believes he may have killed the real Edwardes. Constance makes the active choice to help him escape and uncover the truth, risking her career and freedom., moving from reaction to action.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat J.B. Recounts his dream to Dr. Brulov and Constance. They believe they are close to solving the mystery—the dream symbols seem to point toward Gabriel Valley. False victory: they think they have the answer and can prove his innocence., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 84 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, On the ski slope, J.B. Fully remembers the traumatic accident where Dr. Edwardes fell to his death. He becomes convinced he caused it, his guilt overwhelming him. He attempts suicide by skiing off a cliff. Constance's hope appears shattered—the man she loves may be a killer and is now self-destructive., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 89 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. During the trial testimony, Constance suddenly realizes the truth: the dream symbols point not to J.B. But to Dr. Murchison as the real killer. She synthesizes her psychoanalytic knowledge with the clues and sees clearly. She rushes to confront Murchison with the truth., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Spellbound'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 Spellbound against these established plot points, we can identify how Alfred Hitchcock utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Spellbound within the drama genre.
Alfred Hitchcock's Structural Approach
Among the 20 Alfred Hitchcock films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.6, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Spellbound represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Alfred Hitchcock filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Alfred Hitchcock analyses, see Family Plot, To Catch a Thief and The Trouble with Harry.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Dr. Constance Petersen works as a psychoanalyst at Green Manors mental asylum, professional and emotionally detached, dedicated to her work with patients. The opening text establishes the theme of psychoanalysis unlocking doors of the mind.
Theme
Dr. Fleurot tells Constance, "Women make the best psychoanalysts until they fall in love. After that, they make the best patients." This establishes the central tension between reason and emotion, professional detachment and human connection.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Green Manors asylum, the staff dynamics, Constance's cool professionalism, the departure of Dr. Murchison, and anticipation of the new director Dr. Edwardes. Constance is set up as brilliant but emotionally closed off.
Disruption
Dr. Anthony Edwardes arrives at Green Manors and Constance immediately feels an unexpected attraction to him. For the first time, her professional composure is disrupted by romantic feelings, contradicting everything she believed about herself.
Resistance
Constance and "Edwardes" grow closer, but she notices strange behaviors—his panic at parallel lines, his amnesia about his own book. Constance debates whether to trust her feelings or her professional instincts. She falls in love but senses something is wrong.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The man admits he is not Dr. Edwardes—he is an imposter suffering from amnesia who believes he may have killed the real Edwardes. Constance makes the active choice to help him escape and uncover the truth, risking her career and freedom.
Mirror World
Constance and "J.B." (John Ballantine) pose as newlyweds at the Empire Hotel in New York. Their relationship deepens as Constance commits fully to helping him, embodying the theme: love and intuition can accomplish what pure reason cannot.
Premise
The "fun and games" of amateur detective work—Constance uses psychoanalysis to unlock J.B.'s memories. They visit her mentor Dr. Brulov, analyze dreams (the famous Dalí sequence), and piece together clues. The promise: can love and science solve the mystery?
Midpoint
J.B. recounts his dream to Dr. Brulov and Constance. They believe they are close to solving the mystery—the dream symbols seem to point toward Gabriel Valley. False victory: they think they have the answer and can prove his innocence.
Opposition
Constance and J.B. travel to Gabriel Valley ski resort to trigger his memories. The pressure intensifies as police close in, J.B.'s mental state deteriorates, and the guilt complex deepens. Every recovered memory seems to confirm he is a murderer.
Collapse
On the ski slope, J.B. fully remembers the traumatic accident where Dr. Edwardes fell to his death. He becomes convinced he caused it, his guilt overwhelming him. He attempts suicide by skiing off a cliff. Constance's hope appears shattered—the man she loves may be a killer and is now self-destructive.
Crisis
J.B. is arrested and put on trial. Constance sits in darkness, emotionally devastated, watching the man she loves condemned. She has sacrificed everything and appears to have failed. The trial proceeds toward a guilty verdict.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
During the trial testimony, Constance suddenly realizes the truth: the dream symbols point not to J.B. but to Dr. Murchison as the real killer. She synthesizes her psychoanalytic knowledge with the clues and sees clearly. She rushes to confront Murchison with the truth.
Synthesis
Constance confronts Dr. Murchison in his office, methodically revealing how the dream evidence proves he killed Dr. Edwardes out of jealousy. Murchison threatens her with a gun but she calmly walks out, calling his bluff. Murchison commits suicide, vindicating J.B.
Transformation
Constance and J.B. (now freed and restored) embrace at the train station, departing for their honeymoon in Rome. The once emotionally closed professional has transformed into a woman who has integrated reason with love, proving both are essential.