Tetris
Video game designer Henk Rogers seeks to secure global rights for Tetris (1984), leading to tense negotiations in the Soviet Union, involving creators, government, and corporate intrigues.
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%)
Tetris (2023) showcases precise plot construction, characteristic of Jon S. Baird's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 58 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Henk Rogers is a struggling game designer in Tokyo, pitching his RPG game to publishers and barely making ends meet with his family.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Henk plays Tetris for the first time at CES and instantly recognizes its potential as the greatest game ever made, changing his entire trajectory.. 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 illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Henk boards a plane to Moscow despite having no visa, no contacts, and no guarantee of success - an irreversible leap into the unknown world behind the Iron Curtain., moving from reaction to action.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False victory: Henk believes he has secured a deal with ELORG for handheld rights through Belikov, but Robert Maxwell arrives in Moscow with his own agenda, raising the stakes dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 88 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Henk is arrested by the KGB, threatened with espionage charges, and told to leave Russia immediately. His dream dies; he's separated from Alexey and faces losing everything including his family's security., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 94 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Henk realizes the rights dispute can be resolved by proving the original contracts were fraudulent. He combines his business knowledge with his belief in Alexey's vision and returns to face the Maxwells directly., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Tetris'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 Tetris against these established plot points, we can identify how Jon S. Baird utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Tetris within the biography genre.
Jon S. Baird's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Jon S. Baird films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Tetris represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jon S. Baird filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional biography films include Lords of Dogtown, Ip Man 2 and A Complete Unknown. For more Jon S. Baird analyses, see Filth, Stan & Ollie.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Henk Rogers is a struggling game designer in Tokyo, pitching his RPG game to publishers and barely making ends meet with his family.
Theme
Henk's wife Akemi tells him: "Sometimes the biggest risk is not taking one at all." Theme of entrepreneurial courage and believing in something greater.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Henk's life in Japan, his family struggles, the 1988 gaming industry, and his first encounter with Tetris at CES Las Vegas where he becomes obsessed with the game.
Disruption
Henk plays Tetris for the first time at CES and instantly recognizes its potential as the greatest game ever made, changing his entire trajectory.
Resistance
Henk researches Tetris rights, discovers murky licensing from Robert Stein/Mirrorsoft, debates the risk of going to Soviet Russia, and prepares despite warnings about the danger and complexity.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Henk boards a plane to Moscow despite having no visa, no contacts, and no guarantee of success - an irreversible leap into the unknown world behind the Iron Curtain.
Mirror World
Henk meets Alexey Pajitnov, Tetris's creator, who has received nothing for his creation. Their friendship begins - Alexey represents pure creative passion vs. commercial success.
Premise
The "heist movie" fun: Henk navigating Soviet bureaucracy, bonding with Alexey, discovering the rights were never properly sold, and racing against Robert Maxwell and Nintendo to secure the handheld rights.
Midpoint
False victory: Henk believes he has secured a deal with ELORG for handheld rights through Belikov, but Robert Maxwell arrives in Moscow with his own agenda, raising the stakes dramatically.
Opposition
Maxwell uses his KGB connections and political power to pressure ELORG, Henk is followed by agents, the Maxwells try to intimidate him, and the Soviet bureaucracy becomes increasingly dangerous.
Collapse
Henk is arrested by the KGB, threatened with espionage charges, and told to leave Russia immediately. His dream dies; he's separated from Alexey and faces losing everything including his family's security.
Crisis
Henk faces his dark night: Does he give up and go home to safety, or risk his life and family for a friendship and a principle? Alexey also faces consequences for helping him.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Henk realizes the rights dispute can be resolved by proving the original contracts were fraudulent. He combines his business knowledge with his belief in Alexey's vision and returns to face the Maxwells directly.
Synthesis
The final confrontation at ELORG where Henk exposes the Maxwell lies, Belikov chooses principle over corruption, and Nintendo secures the Game Boy rights. Henk wins through honesty and friendship.
Transformation
Closing images show Tetris becoming a global phenomenon on Game Boy. Henk and Alexey's friendship endures. Henk has transformed from struggling businessman to someone who changed gaming history through courage and integrity.