Suburbicon
In the bosom of Suburbicon--a family-centred, all-white utopia of manicured lawns and friendly locals--a simmering tension is brewing, as the first African-American family moves in the idyllic community, in the hot summer of 1959. However--as the young patriarch, Gardner Lodge, and his family start catching a few disturbing glimpses of the once-welcoming neighbourhood's dark underbelly--seemingly random acts of unprecedented violence paired with a gruesome death will blemish, irreparably, Suburbicon's picture-perfect facade. Who would have thought that darkness resides even in Paradise?
The film disappointed at the box office against its mid-range budget of $25.0M, earning $12.8M globally (-49% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its compelling narrative within the comedy genre.
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%)
Suburbicon (2017) demonstrates precise story structure, characteristic of George Clooney's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 45 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The idyllic 1950s planned community of Suburbicon is introduced through cheerful promotional footage, establishing the perfect suburban dream. The Lodge family - Gardner, Rose (wheelchair-bound), and young Nicky - appear to live this dream.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Two men break into the Lodge home in the middle of the night, tie up the family, and administer chloroform. Rose dies from the chloroform, leaving Gardner and Nicky devastated. This violent home invasion shatters their perfect suburban life.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Gardner actively chooses to continue the deception and cover-up, meeting with the criminals who killed his wife. It's revealed Gardner orchestrated Rose's murder with Margaret (his lover) to collect insurance money, fully committing to the criminal conspiracy., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat The criminals demand their payment, threatening Gardner's life. Cooper confronts Gardner with evidence of fraud. Gardner realizes he's trapped between the insurance investigation and the mob, with no easy way out. Stakes raise dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Gardner murders Margaret with carbon monoxide in the car to eliminate her as a witness and liability. The one person who was complicit in his crime is now dead by his hand, marking his complete moral collapse and isolation., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Nicky fully realizes his father's guilt and monstrosity. The criminals return to the house for final confrontation. Gardner must face the consequences of his actions as all parties converge on him., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Suburbicon's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Suburbicon against these established plot points, we can identify how George Clooney utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Suburbicon within the comedy genre.
George Clooney's Structural Approach
Among the 7 George Clooney films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Suburbicon represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete George Clooney filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more George Clooney analyses, see Good Night, and Good Luck., The Monuments Men and Leatherheads.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The idyllic 1950s planned community of Suburbicon is introduced through cheerful promotional footage, establishing the perfect suburban dream. The Lodge family - Gardner, Rose (wheelchair-bound), and young Nicky - appear to live this dream.
Theme
The juxtaposition between the Mayers family (African American) moving into the all-white neighborhood and the Lodge family's "normal" life establishes the theme: the darkness hidden beneath suburban perfection and societal facades.
Worldbuilding
Setup of two parallel stories: the Mayers family facing racist harassment from neighbors, and the Lodge family's seemingly normal domestic life. Gardner works as an executive, Rose is confined to a wheelchair, and her twin sister Margaret helps care for the family.
Disruption
Two men break into the Lodge home in the middle of the night, tie up the family, and administer chloroform. Rose dies from the chloroform, leaving Gardner and Nicky devastated. This violent home invasion shatters their perfect suburban life.
Resistance
Gardner reports the crime to insurance investigator Bud Cooper, who begins asking questions. Margaret moves in to help with Nicky. Gardner appears to grieve while managing practical matters. Cooper grows suspicious of inconsistencies in Gardner's story.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Gardner actively chooses to continue the deception and cover-up, meeting with the criminals who killed his wife. It's revealed Gardner orchestrated Rose's murder with Margaret (his lover) to collect insurance money, fully committing to the criminal conspiracy.
Mirror World
Nicky represents innocence and truth in contrast to his father's corruption. His friendship with Andy Mayers across the street mirrors the film's theme - genuine human connection versus societal prejudice and moral decay.
Premise
Gardner and Margaret try to maintain normalcy while managing the conspiracy. Cooper investigates deeper. The mob (owed money by Gardner) applies pressure. Meanwhile, racist violence escalates against the Mayers family as the neighborhood organizes against them.
Midpoint
The criminals demand their payment, threatening Gardner's life. Cooper confronts Gardner with evidence of fraud. Gardner realizes he's trapped between the insurance investigation and the mob, with no easy way out. Stakes raise dramatically.
Opposition
Gardner's desperation grows as Cooper closes in and the mob becomes more violent. Margaret and Gardner's relationship fractures under pressure. Nicky begins to suspect something is wrong. The neighborhood mob against the Mayers intensifies, creating violent chaos.
Collapse
Gardner murders Margaret with carbon monoxide in the car to eliminate her as a witness and liability. The one person who was complicit in his crime is now dead by his hand, marking his complete moral collapse and isolation.
Crisis
Gardner attempts to flee with Nicky, who is increasingly frightened of his father. Cooper and authorities close in. Gardner's world completely unravels as all his lies converge. He's now a desperate, cornered murderer.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Nicky fully realizes his father's guilt and monstrosity. The criminals return to the house for final confrontation. Gardner must face the consequences of his actions as all parties converge on him.
Synthesis
Violent confrontation in the Lodge home as the mob enforcers, Gardner, and Nicky clash. Gardner is killed by the criminals. Meanwhile, the racist mob violence against the Mayers reaches its peak. Police finally intervene in the neighborhood chaos.
Transformation
Nicky survives, orphaned but free from his father's corruption. He watches as the Mayers family perseveres despite the hatred around them. The image contrasts the moral rot of the "perfect" white suburb with the dignity of those it tried to destroy.