The Book of Henry
Susan, a single mother of two, works as a waitress in a small town. Her son, Henry, is an 11-year-old genius who not only manages the family finances but acts as emotional support for his mother and younger brother. When Henry discovers that the girl next door has a terrible secret, he implores Susan to take matters into her own hands.
The film financial setback against its modest budget of $10.0M, earning $4.6M globally (-54% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling within the drama 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 Book of Henry (2017) demonstrates strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of Colin Trevorrow'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 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Henry, a child genius, manages the family finances while his single mother Susan works as a waitress. His younger brother Peter is bullied at school, and Henry observes their neighbor Christina being abused by her stepfather, the police commissioner.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Henry has a seizure during his school talent show performance. This medical crisis disrupts the family's status quo and sets the tragic events in motion.. 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 illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Henry dies during surgery. This irreversible event forces Susan into a new world where she must decide whether to follow through with Henry's plan to kill the police commissioner and save Christina., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Susan, positioned with her rifle at the school talent show, has Glenn Sickleman in her crosssights. This false victory moment reveals the full horror of what she's about to do—commit murder in front of children. The stakes become brutally clear., 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, Susan, unable to pull the trigger, breaks down completely at the talent show. She abandons the assassination attempt, representing the death of Henry's plan and her faith in his infallible judgment. Everything Henry orchestrated has failed., demonstrates 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. Susan realizes she can save Christina through legal means by documenting the abuse and reporting it to child protective services, using her own agency rather than Henry's violent plan. She synthesizes Henry's protective instinct with her own moral compass., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Book of Henry'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 Book of Henry against these established plot points, we can identify how Colin Trevorrow utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Book of Henry within the drama genre.
Colin Trevorrow's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Colin Trevorrow films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Book of Henry represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Colin Trevorrow filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Colin Trevorrow analyses, see Jurassic World, Safety Not Guaranteed and Jurassic World Dominion.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Henry, a child genius, manages the family finances while his single mother Susan works as a waitress. His younger brother Peter is bullied at school, and Henry observes their neighbor Christina being abused by her stepfather, the police commissioner.
Theme
Henry tells his school principal Wilder: "Sometimes people don't do the right thing because the right thing is actually the wrong thing." This establishes the film's core moral conflict about vigilante justice versus systemic failure.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the Carpenter family dynamics: Henry as the intellectual protector, Susan as the overwhelmed but loving mother, and Peter as the vulnerable younger brother. Henry's genius is demonstrated through stock trading and physics knowledge. Christina's abuse is revealed through subtle clues Henry observes.
Disruption
Henry has a seizure during his school talent show performance. This medical crisis disrupts the family's status quo and sets the tragic events in motion.
Resistance
Henry is diagnosed with a brain tumor. As his condition worsens, he becomes increasingly obsessed with saving Christina from her abusive stepfather. He creates an elaborate plan, documenting it for his mother to execute. The family struggles with the reality of Henry's terminal illness.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Henry dies during surgery. This irreversible event forces Susan into a new world where she must decide whether to follow through with Henry's plan to kill the police commissioner and save Christina.
Mirror World
Susan discovers Henry's detailed plan in his notebook, complete with instructions for assassinating Glenn Sickleman. This "B Story" with Henry's recorded voice becomes her guide, representing the thematic question of whether love justifies extreme action.
Premise
Susan, guided by Henry's voice through recordings and notebooks, begins executing his plan. She purchases a rifle, practices shooting, scouts the target location, and transforms from grieving mother to would-be assassin. The premise explores how far a mother will go to honor her son's final wish.
Midpoint
Susan, positioned with her rifle at the school talent show, has Glenn Sickleman in her crosssights. This false victory moment reveals the full horror of what she's about to do—commit murder in front of children. The stakes become brutally clear.
Opposition
Susan wavers between executing the plan and her moral conscience. Principal Wilder becomes suspicious of her behavior. Peter struggles with losing his brother while watching his mother descend into dangerous obsession. The opposition is internal—Susan's own humanity fighting against Henry's plan.
Collapse
Susan, unable to pull the trigger, breaks down completely at the talent show. She abandons the assassination attempt, representing the death of Henry's plan and her faith in his infallible judgment. Everything Henry orchestrated has failed.
Crisis
Susan processes her near-murder of another human being and grieves both Henry's death and the impossibility of his plan. She confronts the reality that Henry, despite his genius, was still a child who couldn't understand the full weight of taking a life.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Susan realizes she can save Christina through legal means by documenting the abuse and reporting it to child protective services, using her own agency rather than Henry's violent plan. She synthesizes Henry's protective instinct with her own moral compass.
Synthesis
Susan takes action through proper channels, removing Christina from danger. She reconnects with Peter, helping him process their loss. The family begins healing, honoring Henry's protective love without following his dangerous method.
Transformation
Susan and Peter sit together, having saved Christina and found peace. Susan has transformed from a passive mother who let her genius son make all decisions to an active parent who can protect her children using her own judgment and moral clarity.