That Awkward Moment
Best pals Jason and Daniel indulge in casual flings and revel in their carefree, unattached lives. After learning that the marriage of their friend Mikey is over, they gladly welcome him back into their circle. The three young men make a pact to have fun and avoid commitment. However, when all three find themselves involved in serious relationships, they must keep their romances secret from one another.
Despite its tight budget of $8.0M, That Awkward Moment became a solid performer, earning $45.6M worldwide—a 470% return. The film's fresh perspective found its audience, demonstrating that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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%)
That Awkward Moment (2014) exhibits meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of Tom Gormican's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 34 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jason, Daniel, and Mikey are three best friends living the carefree single life in New York, hooking up casually and avoiding commitment.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Mikey discovers his wife Vera is cheating on him and wants a divorce. His marriage crumbles, disrupting the group dynamic and their carefree philosophy.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Jason actively chooses to pursue Ellie despite the pact. Daniel decides to explore his feelings for Chelsea. Both choose to enter the relationship world while hiding it from each other and Mikey., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False defeat: Ellie asks Jason about their relationship status. Jason panics and claims they're just hooking up, denying his feelings. The stakes raise as his commitment issues surface and hurt Ellie., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 69 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All is lost: Jason shows up to what he thinks is a costume party in a penis costume, only to discover it's Ellie's father's funeral. His relationship with Ellie dies. The friendship fractures as truths emerge., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 75 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Jason realizes he loves Ellie and must overcome his fear. The guys encourage each other to fight for their relationships. They synthesize the lesson: vulnerability is strength, not weakness., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
That Awkward Moment'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 That Awkward Moment against these established plot points, we can identify how Tom Gormican utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish That Awkward Moment within the comedy genre.
Tom Gormican's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Tom Gormican films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. That Awkward Moment represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Tom Gormican filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Tom Gormican analyses, see The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jason, Daniel, and Mikey are three best friends living the carefree single life in New York, hooking up casually and avoiding commitment.
Theme
Mikey tells the guys about relationships: "Nobody wants to be in one, but everyone's afraid to be alone." Theme of commitment vs. fear of vulnerability.
Worldbuilding
Establishing the trio's lifestyle: Jason's book cover design career, their bachelor pad mentality, casual hookups, and their pact to avoid serious relationships. We see their friendship dynamic and fear of commitment.
Disruption
Mikey discovers his wife Vera is cheating on him and wants a divorce. His marriage crumbles, disrupting the group dynamic and their carefree philosophy.
Resistance
The three friends make a pact: they'll all stay single together to support Mikey. Jason debates getting involved with Ellie, Daniel reconnects with Chelsea, but they resist commitment.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jason actively chooses to pursue Ellie despite the pact. Daniel decides to explore his feelings for Chelsea. Both choose to enter the relationship world while hiding it from each other and Mikey.
Mirror World
Jason and Ellie begin their relationship that will teach him about vulnerability. She represents the possibility of genuine connection vs. his fear-based casual approach.
Premise
The fun of secret relationships: Jason and Ellie grow closer, Daniel and Chelsea fall in love, all while hiding their relationships and maintaining the single guy facade. Rom-com hijinks of avoiding the "that awkward moment" conversation.
Midpoint
False defeat: Ellie asks Jason about their relationship status. Jason panics and claims they're just hooking up, denying his feelings. The stakes raise as his commitment issues surface and hurt Ellie.
Opposition
Relationships deteriorate: Jason's fear pushes Ellie away, Daniel struggles with Chelsea's ex, Mikey tries to win Vera back. Their flaws and commitment issues cause mounting problems. The lies to each other compound.
Collapse
All is lost: Jason shows up to what he thinks is a costume party in a penis costume, only to discover it's Ellie's father's funeral. His relationship with Ellie dies. The friendship fractures as truths emerge.
Crisis
The three men sit in darkness, realizing their fear of commitment has destroyed their relationships. They process the loss and confront what they've been avoiding: they were already in relationships but too afraid to admit it.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jason realizes he loves Ellie and must overcome his fear. The guys encourage each other to fight for their relationships. They synthesize the lesson: vulnerability is strength, not weakness.
Synthesis
The finale: Jason races to Ellie's apartment, confesses his love and fear. Daniel commits to Chelsea. Mikey lets Vera go gracefully. Each man takes action to authentically connect rather than protect themselves.
Transformation
Jason and Ellie are together in a committed relationship. The three friends gather, now comfortable with commitment and vulnerability. They've transformed from boys avoiding intimacy to men embracing it.