The Apparition
When frightening events start to occur in their home, young couple Kelly and Ben discover they are being haunted by a presence that was accidentally conjured during a university parapsychology experiment. The horrifying apparition feeds on their fear and torments them no matter where they try to run. Their last hope is an expert in the supernatural, but even with his help they may already be too late to save themselves from this terrifying force.
The film disappointed at the box office against its mid-range budget of $17.0M, earning $9.6M globally (-43% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its fresh perspective within the horror 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%)
The Apparition (2012) showcases meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Todd Lincoln's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 22 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ben and Kelly live together in suburban normalcy, settling into domestic life with plans to move in together permanently. Their relationship appears stable and happy.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 9 minutes when Strange phenomena begins: objects move on their own, mysterious sounds, and an unseen presence manifests in their home. The peaceful life is shattered.. At 11% 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 20 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Ben decides to confront the entity by contacting Patrick, his former colleague, for help. They commit to facing the supernatural threat rather than fleeing., moving from reaction to action.
At 39 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 48% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False defeat: They discover the entity is Charles Reamer, whom they accidentally summoned in college. The haunting isn't random—it's targeted revenge. The stakes become personal and deadly., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 59 minutes (72% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Patrick is killed by the entity. The expert who was supposed to save them dies, leaving Ben and Kelly helpless. All hope of scientific solution vanishes., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 65 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Ben realizes they must destroy the original equipment from the experiment to sever the connection. Synthesis of understanding: the entity feeds on their fear and the technology that summoned it., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Apparition'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 The Apparition against these established plot points, we can identify how Todd Lincoln utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Apparition within the horror genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ben and Kelly live together in suburban normalcy, settling into domestic life with plans to move in together permanently. Their relationship appears stable and happy.
Theme
Discussion of the past experiment: "Some things should stay buried." The theme of confronting past mistakes and their consequences is introduced.
Worldbuilding
Establish Ben and Kelly's relationship, their new home, Ben's secretive past involving paranormal experiments in college. Flashbacks reveal the Charles Reamer experiment that went wrong.
Disruption
Strange phenomena begins: objects move on their own, mysterious sounds, and an unseen presence manifests in their home. The peaceful life is shattered.
Resistance
Ben tries to rationalize the events. Kelly grows increasingly frightened. They debate whether to leave or stay. Ben reveals more about his past experiment with Patrick and Lydia.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ben decides to confront the entity by contacting Patrick, his former colleague, for help. They commit to facing the supernatural threat rather than fleeing.
Mirror World
Patrick arrives with expertise and equipment. He represents the world of paranormal investigation and serves as a connection to Ben's past sins.
Premise
Investigation and escalation: Patrick sets up surveillance, they document phenomena, the entity grows stronger. Classic haunted house exploration with cameras, EMF readers, and mounting evidence.
Midpoint
False defeat: They discover the entity is Charles Reamer, whom they accidentally summoned in college. The haunting isn't random—it's targeted revenge. The stakes become personal and deadly.
Opposition
The entity attacks more violently. Attempts to banish it fail. Patrick's equipment and knowledge prove inadequate. Kelly is increasingly endangered. The house becomes a prison.
Collapse
Patrick is killed by the entity. The expert who was supposed to save them dies, leaving Ben and Kelly helpless. All hope of scientific solution vanishes.
Crisis
Ben and Kelly face their darkest moment. Trapped with no escape, no help, no knowledge how to stop the entity. They confront the reality that Ben's past has doomed them.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Ben realizes they must destroy the original equipment from the experiment to sever the connection. Synthesis of understanding: the entity feeds on their fear and the technology that summoned it.
Synthesis
Final confrontation: Ben and Kelly attempt to destroy the equipment and break the connection. The entity attacks with full force. Struggle for survival culminates in apparent victory.
Transformation
Ambiguous ending: Kelly is taken by the entity into darkness. Ben survives but has lost everything. The past cannot be escaped, only endured.