Spider-Man
Based on Marvel Comics' superhero character, this is a story of Peter Parker who is a nerdy high-schooler. He was orphaned as a child, bullied by jocks, and can't confess his crush for his stunning neighborhood girl Mary Jane Watson. To say his life is "miserable" is an understatement. But one day while on an excursion to a laboratory a runaway radioactive spider bites him... and his life changes in a way no one could have imagined. Peter acquires a muscle-bound physique, clear vision, ability to cling to surfaces and crawl over walls, shooting webs from his wrist ... but the fun isn't going to last. An eccentric millionaire Norman Osborn administers a performance enhancing drug on himself and his maniacal alter ego Green Goblin emerges. Now Peter Parker has to become Spider-Man and take Green Goblin to the task... or else Goblin will kill him. They come face to face and the war begins in which only one of them will survive at the end.
Despite a significant budget of $139.0M, Spider-Man became a financial success, earning $821.7M worldwide—a 491% return.
Nominated for 2 Oscars. 17 wins & 65 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%)
Spider-Man (2002) exemplifies strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Sam Raimi's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 1 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Peter Parker / Spider-Man
Norman Osborn / Green Goblin
Mary Jane Watson
Harry Osborn
Uncle Ben
Aunt May
J. Jonah Jameson
Main Cast & Characters
Peter Parker / Spider-Man
Played by Tobey Maguire
A nerdy high school student who gains spider-powers and learns that with great power comes great responsibility.
Norman Osborn / Green Goblin
Played by Willem Dafoe
A brilliant scientist and CEO who becomes a villainous alter-ego after a serum experiment goes wrong.
Mary Jane Watson
Played by Kirsten Dunst
Peter's lifelong crush and aspiring actress who becomes the emotional center of his dual life.
Harry Osborn
Played by James Franco
Peter's best friend and Norman's son, caught between his father and his friendship.
Uncle Ben
Played by Cliff Robertson
Peter's moral compass and father figure whose death catalyzes Peter's heroic transformation.
Aunt May
Played by Rosemary Harris
Peter's loving aunt who provides warmth, wisdom, and emotional support throughout his journey.
J. Jonah Jameson
Played by J.K. Simmons
The bombastic editor-in-chief of the Daily Bugle who wages a media campaign against Spider-Man.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Peter Parker chases the school bus as it drives away without him, establishing him as a bullied, overlooked outcast pining for his neighbor Mary Jane Watson from afar.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when A genetically engineered spider bites Peter during the class field trip to Columbia's genetics lab, injecting him with the venom that will transform his DNA and change his life forever.. 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 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Uncle Ben is shot and killed by the same thief Peter let escape. Peter catches the killer and realizes his failure to act caused Ben's death. He commits to using his powers responsibly—becoming Spider-Man., moving from reaction to action.
At 61 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The Green Goblin attacks the World Unity Festival, publicly threatening Spider-Man and killing Oscorp's board members. The stakes escalate from street crime to a personal war with a deadly supervillain who now knows Spider-Man is his enemy., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 91 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Green Goblin kidnaps both Mary Jane and a Roosevelt Island tram car full of children, forcing Spider-Man into an impossible choice. He declares he will kill everyone Peter loves—MJ is dropped and the children's cable is cut simultaneously., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 97 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Beaten and unmasked by the Goblin, Peter hears Norman's voice pleading for mercy. But when the Goblin secretly activates his glider to kill Peter, Spider-Man's spider-sense alerts him—he dodges and Norman is impaled by his own weapon., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Spider-Man's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Spider-Man against these established plot points, we can identify how Sam Raimi utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Spider-Man within the action genre.
Sam Raimi's Structural Approach
Among the 13 Sam Raimi films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Spider-Man takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Sam Raimi filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Sam Raimi analyses, see Spider-Man 2, The Quick and the Dead and Oz the Great and Powerful.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Peter Parker chases the school bus as it drives away without him, establishing him as a bullied, overlooked outcast pining for his neighbor Mary Jane Watson from afar.
Theme
Uncle Ben tells Peter, "You're not Superman, you know," foreshadowing the burden of responsibility that comes with great power and the human cost of heroism.
Worldbuilding
Peter's world is established: his loving Aunt May and Uncle Ben, his unrequited love for MJ, his friendship with Harry Osborn, his bullying by Flash Thompson, and his passion for science. Norman Osborn's desperation to save Oscorp is introduced.
Disruption
A genetically engineered spider bites Peter during the class field trip to Columbia's genetics lab, injecting him with the venom that will transform his DNA and change his life forever.
Resistance
Peter discovers his new abilities—enhanced strength, wall-crawling, spider-sense—and struggles to understand them. He enters a wrestling match to win money for a car to impress MJ, letting a thief escape when the promoter cheats him.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Uncle Ben is shot and killed by the same thief Peter let escape. Peter catches the killer and realizes his failure to act caused Ben's death. He commits to using his powers responsibly—becoming Spider-Man.
Mirror World
Peter and MJ share a moment at Aunt May's house after Ben's funeral. Their deepening connection represents the life Peter wants but will struggle to have—the love that grounds him but also makes him vulnerable.
Premise
Spider-Man emerges as New York's new hero, stopping crimes and earning public adoration. Peter balances his dual life—working at the Daily Bugle, attending college, pursuing MJ—while the Green Goblin rises as Norman Osborn's darker half takes control.
Midpoint
The Green Goblin attacks the World Unity Festival, publicly threatening Spider-Man and killing Oscorp's board members. The stakes escalate from street crime to a personal war with a deadly supervillain who now knows Spider-Man is his enemy.
Opposition
The Goblin offers Spider-Man an alliance, which Peter refuses. Norman, as Harry's father, gets close to Peter and deduces his secret identity. Goblin attacks Aunt May. Peter's relationships fray as he struggles to protect everyone he loves while Jameson turns public opinion against Spider-Man.
Collapse
The Green Goblin kidnaps both Mary Jane and a Roosevelt Island tram car full of children, forcing Spider-Man into an impossible choice. He declares he will kill everyone Peter loves—MJ is dropped and the children's cable is cut simultaneously.
Crisis
Spider-Man refuses to choose, saving both MJ and the children with help from New Yorkers on the bridge who rally to protect him. But the Goblin drags Spider-Man away to an abandoned building for their final confrontation.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Beaten and unmasked by the Goblin, Peter hears Norman's voice pleading for mercy. But when the Goblin secretly activates his glider to kill Peter, Spider-Man's spider-sense alerts him—he dodges and Norman is impaled by his own weapon.
Synthesis
Peter returns Norman's body home. At the funeral, Harry vows vengeance against Spider-Man, not knowing Peter is his target. MJ confesses her love to Peter, but he rejects her to protect her—accepting that being Spider-Man means sacrificing personal happiness.
Transformation
Peter swings through New York, embracing his identity as Spider-Man. His voiceover echoes Uncle Ben: "With great power comes great responsibility." The outcast boy has become the city's guardian—alone but purposeful.