The Autopsy of Jane Doe
While investigating the murder of a family, Sheriff Sheldon and his team are puzzled with the discovery of the body of a stranger buried in the basement that does not fit to the crime scene. He brings the corpse of the beautiful Jane Doe late night to the coroner Tommy Tilden and requests to have the cause of death until the next morning to have an answer to the press. Tommy's son and assistant Austin Tilden is ready to go to the movie theater with his girlfriend Emma, but he decides to stay to help his father in the autopsy. Along the stormy and tragic night, they disclose weird and creepy secrets about Jane Doe.
Working with a limited budget of $4.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $6.2M in global revenue (+54% profit margin).
8 wins & 10 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%)
The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016) exemplifies carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of André Øvredal's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 26 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 Tommy and Austin Tilden work together in their family-run morgue basement, performing a routine autopsy. Their professional, calm relationship establishes the ordinary world of forensic pathology.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Sheriff Burke arrives with an unidentified Jane Doe found buried in the basement of a violent crime scene. The body shows no external trauma but the circumstances are deeply disturbing. They need results by morning.. 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 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to They make the first incision into Jane Doe's body, officially beginning the autopsy. This active choice commits them to uncovering whatever mysteries the corpse holds. No turning back now., moving from reaction to action.
At 43 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat They discover cloth in Jane Doe's stomach with mysterious symbols and realize she was tortured - her tongue cut out, teeth shattered. They theorize she was a witch trial victim. Stakes raised: this isn't just unexplained, it's supernatural evil., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 65 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Austin discovers Emma's mutilated corpse. The woman he loves is dead. His father couldn't protect them. Everything they believed about their safe, scientific world has been destroyed. Complete emotional devastation., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 70 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Tommy realizes the solution: Jane Doe transfers her pain to others. He tells Austin to burn the body while he stays behind. Tommy accepts becoming the new vessel for her suffering to save his son - the ultimate sacrifice., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Autopsy of Jane Doe'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 The Autopsy of Jane Doe against these established plot points, we can identify how André Øvredal utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Autopsy of Jane Doe within the horror genre.
André Øvredal's Structural Approach
Among the 3 André Øvredal films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Autopsy of Jane Doe takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete André Øvredal filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye. For more André Øvredal analyses, see Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, The Last Voyage of the Demeter.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Tommy and Austin Tilden work together in their family-run morgue basement, performing a routine autopsy. Their professional, calm relationship establishes the ordinary world of forensic pathology.
Theme
Austin tells his girlfriend Emma: "The dead don't hurt you, only the living do." This thematic statement foreshadows the film's exploration of how the past (death) can reach into the present.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the Tilden morgue operations, father-son relationship dynamics, Austin's girlfriend Emma, and the professional world of forensic pathology. Establishes Tommy's dedication and Austin's desire for a life outside the morgue.
Disruption
Sheriff Burke arrives with an unidentified Jane Doe found buried in the basement of a violent crime scene. The body shows no external trauma but the circumstances are deeply disturbing. They need results by morning.
Resistance
Austin debates leaving for his date with Emma versus staying to help his father. Emma leaves upset. Tommy and Austin prepare for the autopsy, discussing procedures. Austin ultimately chooses to stay and help.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
They make the first incision into Jane Doe's body, officially beginning the autopsy. This active choice commits them to uncovering whatever mysteries the corpse holds. No turning back now.
Mirror World
The body itself becomes the "mirror world" character - Jane Doe represents the victims of historical injustice and violence. Every new discovery about her parallels the theme of hidden suffering and past sins.
Premise
The autopsy reveals increasingly impossible findings: scarred lungs, blackened organs, shattered bones, yet pristine external appearance. Each discovery deepens the mystery. Strange phenomena begin: radio interference, elevator malfunction, the cat dies.
Midpoint
They discover cloth in Jane Doe's stomach with mysterious symbols and realize she was tortured - her tongue cut out, teeth shattered. They theorize she was a witch trial victim. Stakes raised: this isn't just unexplained, it's supernatural evil.
Opposition
Supernatural attacks intensify. They try to escape but doors won't open. Tommy is attacked by corpses. They realize Jane Doe is somehow alive and causing the manifestations. Emma returns and is killed by a reanimated corpse.
Collapse
Austin discovers Emma's mutilated corpse. The woman he loves is dead. His father couldn't protect them. Everything they believed about their safe, scientific world has been destroyed. Complete emotional devastation.
Crisis
Austin and Tommy process their darkest moment. They realize Jane Doe was an innocent woman tortured as a witch, and her vengeance is killing them. Tommy comes to understand what must be done to save Austin.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Tommy realizes the solution: Jane Doe transfers her pain to others. He tells Austin to burn the body while he stays behind. Tommy accepts becoming the new vessel for her suffering to save his son - the ultimate sacrifice.
Synthesis
Tommy sacrifices himself, experiencing Jane Doe's torture while Austin attempts escape. Tommy dies absorbing her pain. Austin is found by the sheriff. Jane Doe's body, now pristine again, is transported to another morgue - the cycle continues.
Transformation
Jane Doe's body arrives at a new morgue, her eyes suddenly opening. The horror continues elsewhere. Austin has survived but lost everything - his father, his girlfriend, his innocence. The sins of the past cannot be buried.