Starman
Jenny Hayden never did get over the death of her husband, so when an alien life form decides to model "himself" on the husband, Jenny is understandably confused if not terrified. The alien, or Starman, as he is called, has a deadline to meet and kidnaps Jenny in order to meet it.
Working with a respectable budget of $22.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $28.7M in global revenue (+31% profit margin).
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 2 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%)
Starman (1984) exemplifies precise narrative architecture, characteristic of John Carpenter's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 55 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Jenny Hayden watches home videos of her deceased husband Scott, grieving alone in her isolated Wisconsin home. She is stuck in her loss, unable to move forward.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when The alien sphere crashes near Jenny's house. An otherworldly presence enters her home and uses Scott's hair to clone his body. Jenny wakes to find her dead husband standing in her living room, shattering her reality.. 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 reveals the protagonist's commitment to Jenny chooses to drive the Starman to Arizona. Though still terrified, she actively commits to the journey rather than fleeing. They cross into the new world together - a cross-country chase with an alien in her dead husband's body., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Starman is shot by a helicopter gunship and appears to die in Jenny's arms. She has lost Scott twice now. All hope seems extinguished - the rendezvous window is closing, he's dying, and they're surrounded by military forces. The whiff of death is literal., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 92 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Jenny and Starman race to Meteor Crater with Shermin's help, evading the military blockade. At the crater, the ship arrives. Starman reveals Jenny is pregnant with their child - a miracle of their connection. They share a final goodbye, and he returns to the stars., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Starman'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 Starman against these established plot points, we can identify how John Carpenter utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Starman within the romance genre.
John Carpenter's Structural Approach
Among the 16 John Carpenter films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Starman takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete John Carpenter filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional romance films include South Pacific, Last Night and Diana. For more John Carpenter analyses, see Prince of Darkness, Christine and In the Mouth of Madness.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jenny Hayden watches home videos of her deceased husband Scott, grieving alone in her isolated Wisconsin home. She is stuck in her loss, unable to move forward.
Theme
In the home video, Scott says to Jenny: "I'll love you forever." The theme of eternal love transcending boundaries is stated through the recorded message from beyond death.
Worldbuilding
We see Jenny's isolated life of grief and learn about the Voyager probe's invitation to the stars. The alien sphere intercepts Voyager and heads toward Earth, while government forces track the anomaly. Jenny's world and the cosmic world are about to collide.
Disruption
The alien sphere crashes near Jenny's house. An otherworldly presence enters her home and uses Scott's hair to clone his body. Jenny wakes to find her dead husband standing in her living room, shattering her reality.
Resistance
Jenny is terrified and resists the Starman, who struggles to understand human behavior and language. He holds her at gunpoint (learning from TV) and demands she drive him to Arizona. She debates whether to help or escape, while government forces mobilize to capture the alien.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jenny chooses to drive the Starman to Arizona. Though still terrified, she actively commits to the journey rather than fleeing. They cross into the new world together - a cross-country chase with an alien in her dead husband's body.
Premise
The road trip delivers the premise: an alien experiencing humanity through love. Starman learns to eat, understand emotions, and connect with Jenny. She teaches him about being human while rediscovering her own capacity for love. They evade capture, sharing intimate moments and growing closer.
Opposition
The military pursuit intensifies led by the aggressive NSA agent Fox. Starman's human body begins deteriorating as his energy depletes. Time is running out to reach the rendezvous point. Every obstacle becomes more dangerous, and Jenny's fear of losing him again grows overwhelming.
Collapse
The Starman is shot by a helicopter gunship and appears to die in Jenny's arms. She has lost Scott twice now. All hope seems extinguished - the rendezvous window is closing, he's dying, and they're surrounded by military forces. The whiff of death is literal.
Crisis
Jenny cradles the dying Starman, facing the loss of love for a second time. She processes the injustice of finding love again only to lose it. The sympathetic scientist Shermin argues for the Starman's release, representing humanity's better nature, but it seems too late.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Jenny and Starman race to Meteor Crater with Shermin's help, evading the military blockade. At the crater, the ship arrives. Starman reveals Jenny is pregnant with their child - a miracle of their connection. They share a final goodbye, and he returns to the stars.