Striptease
Bounced from her job, Erin Grant needs money if she's to have any chance of winning back custody of her child. But, eventually, she must confront the naked truth: to take on the system, she'll have to take it all off. Erin strips to conquer, but she faces unintended circumstances when a hound dog of a Congressman zeroes in on her and sharpens the shady tools at his fingertips, including blackmail and murder.
Despite a respectable budget of $50.0M, Striptease became a solid performer, earning $113.3M worldwide—a 127% return.
8 wins & 4 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%)
Striptease (1996) showcases precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Andrew Bergman's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-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.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Erin Grant
David Dilbeck
Al Garcia
Jerry Killian
Darrell Grant
Shad
Main Cast & Characters
Erin Grant
Played by Demi Moore
A former FBI secretary who becomes a stripper to raise money for legal fees to regain custody of her daughter from her abusive ex-husband.
David Dilbeck
Played by Burt Reynolds
A corrupt, sleazy congressman with a penchant for strip clubs who becomes obsessed with Erin and embroiled in scandal.
Al Garcia
Played by Ving Rhames
A bouncer at the Eager Beaver strip club who becomes romantically interested in Erin and helps protect her.
Jerry Killian
Played by Robert Patrick
Dilbeck's corrupt, ruthless assistant who will do anything to cover up his boss's scandals and maintain political power.
Darrell Grant
Played by Armand Assante
Erin's unstable, abusive ex-husband who stole her daughter and uses the child as leverage against her.
Shad
Played by Robert Stanton
The opportunistic owner of the Eager Beaver strip club who exploits his dancers while running his business.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Erin Grant sits in family court, devastated as the judge awards custody of her daughter Angela to her ex-husband Darrell, despite his criminal record. The system has failed a good mother.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Desperate and out of options after being rejected from legitimate jobs, Erin makes the difficult decision to audition at the Eager Beaver strip club—the only way she can earn enough money to fight for custody.. 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 Erin fully commits to her life as a stripper, finding unexpected empowerment in her performance skills. She makes enough money to refile for custody, crossing the threshold from desperate victim to active fighter for her daughter., moving from reaction to action.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Jerry Killian is murdered after attempting to blackmail Congressman Dilbeck. Erin realizes she's now entangled in a dangerous conspiracy involving a powerful, unstable politician who knows where she works—transforming her story from custody battle to survival thriller., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Erin discovers that Dilbeck's fixer has been eliminating witnesses and she may be next. Her custody case is jeopardized when her stripping is about to become public scandal. Everything she's worked for—her daughter, her safety, her dignity—seems lost., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 92 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Erin decides to turn the tables on Dilbeck by using his obsession against him. She agrees to a private performance that will serve as a trap to expose his crimes, combining her dancing skills with a plan for justice., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Striptease'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 Striptease against these established plot points, we can identify how Andrew Bergman utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Striptease within the comedy genre.
Andrew Bergman's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Andrew Bergman films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Striptease takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Andrew Bergman filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Andrew Bergman analyses, see It Could Happen to You, So Fine.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Erin Grant sits in family court, devastated as the judge awards custody of her daughter Angela to her ex-husband Darrell, despite his criminal record. The system has failed a good mother.
Theme
Erin's lawyer tells her that in this world, having money means having power over the courts. Without funds for a proper legal fight, she'll never get her daughter back—establishing that justice requires resources.
Worldbuilding
We learn Erin was an FBI secretary fired after her husband's theft was discovered. Her ex-husband Darrell is a petty criminal who manipulated the custody system. Erin is introduced to the Eager Beaver strip club as a potential employment option by a friend.
Disruption
Desperate and out of options after being rejected from legitimate jobs, Erin makes the difficult decision to audition at the Eager Beaver strip club—the only way she can earn enough money to fight for custody.
Resistance
Erin learns the ropes at the club. She meets Shad, the protective bouncer, and the other dancers. She struggles with the moral implications of her new job while becoming skilled at earning money. Her lawyer continues to guide her legal strategy.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Erin fully commits to her life as a stripper, finding unexpected empowerment in her performance skills. She makes enough money to refile for custody, crossing the threshold from desperate victim to active fighter for her daughter.
Mirror World
Shad, the club's bouncer, reveals himself as Erin's true ally and protector. Their relationship deepens as he becomes invested in helping her beyond just professional duty, representing loyalty and genuine human connection amid exploitation.
Premise
Erin thrives as a dancer, earning big money while navigating the colorful world of the strip club. Congressman Dilbeck becomes obsessed with her. A man named Jerry Killian, who witnessed Dilbeck at the club, approaches Erin about potential blackmail opportunities.
Midpoint
Jerry Killian is murdered after attempting to blackmail Congressman Dilbeck. Erin realizes she's now entangled in a dangerous conspiracy involving a powerful, unstable politician who knows where she works—transforming her story from custody battle to survival thriller.
Opposition
Dilbeck's obsession with Erin intensifies while his handlers try to contain the scandal. Detective Al Garcia investigates the murder, circling closer to Erin. Her ex-husband Darrell complicates matters. Dilbeck's people attempt to silence potential witnesses, putting Erin in increasing danger.
Collapse
Erin discovers that Dilbeck's fixer has been eliminating witnesses and she may be next. Her custody case is jeopardized when her stripping is about to become public scandal. Everything she's worked for—her daughter, her safety, her dignity—seems lost.
Crisis
Erin faces the reality that playing it safe won't save her or get her daughter back. She must choose between hiding and fighting back against the powerful forces aligned against her. Shad and Detective Garcia become unlikely allies.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Erin decides to turn the tables on Dilbeck by using his obsession against him. She agrees to a private performance that will serve as a trap to expose his crimes, combining her dancing skills with a plan for justice.
Synthesis
Erin performs a private dance for Dilbeck while authorities wait to spring the trap. The congressman's instability is exposed. Darrell's criminal activities are revealed, destroying his custody claim. The corrupt congressman is brought down, and Erin's role in the case becomes evidence of her courage rather than shame.
Transformation
Erin is reunited with her daughter Angela, having won full custody. She walks away from the club with her head held high, transformed from desperate victim to empowered survivor who beat the system by refusing to be silenced or shamed.