The Cursed
In the late 19th century, a brutal land baron slaughters a Roma clan, unleashing a curse on his family and village. In the days that follow, the townspeople are plagued by nightmares, the baron's son goes missing, and a boy is found murdered. The locals suspect a wild animal, but a visiting pathologist warns of a more sinister presence lurking in the woods.
The film earned $4.6M at the global box office.
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 Cursed (2021) exemplifies deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Sean Ellis's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 51 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 A Roma camp is violently attacked by landowner Seamus Laurent's men in 1880s France, with brutal massacre and planting of silver teeth that will curse the land. The opening establishes the origins of the supernatural evil.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Local children, including Edward Laurent, discover a set of silver teeth buried in the ground where the Roma were massacred. One boy becomes entranced and bites them, setting the curse 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to The first brutal werewolf attack occurs, with witnesses describing an inhuman creature. McBride commits to staying and hunting whatever is killing villagers, entering the world of the supernatural curse., moving from reaction to action.
At 55 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Edward Laurent is revealed to be infected by the curse and transforming into the beast. The threat is now inside the main family, and McBride realizes the silver teeth must be destroyed to break the curse. False defeat: the enemy is closer and more personal than anyone imagined., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 83 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Edward fully transforms and kills his own father Seamus in a devastating attack. The patriarch's death represents both literal death and the death of the family's denial about their cursed legacy. Charlotte witnesses the horror of what her brother has become., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 88 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. The final confrontation with Edward in full werewolf form. McBride and Charlotte hunt the creature through the estate. A brutal battle ensues where McBride uses his knowledge and the silver bullets to wound the beast. Charlotte makes the final choice to end her brother's suffering., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Cursed's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Cursed against these established plot points, we can identify how Sean Ellis utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Cursed within the horror genre.
Sean Ellis's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Sean Ellis films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Cursed represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Sean Ellis filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye. For more Sean Ellis analyses, see Anthropoid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
A Roma camp is violently attacked by landowner Seamus Laurent's men in 1880s France, with brutal massacre and planting of silver teeth that will curse the land. The opening establishes the origins of the supernatural evil.
Theme
A villager warns that "the sins of the father are visited upon the children," foreshadowing how past atrocities will haunt the next generation through the curse.
Worldbuilding
Establishing the Laurent estate and family dynamics 35 years after the massacre. Seamus Laurent's children Edward and Charlotte live privileged lives, unaware of their father's dark deeds. The rural French community harbors secrets and tensions.
Disruption
Local children, including Edward Laurent, discover a set of silver teeth buried in the ground where the Roma were massacred. One boy becomes entranced and bites them, setting the curse in motion.
Resistance
Strange incidents escalate: the boy who bit the teeth vanishes, livestock are slaughtered, and fear spreads through the village. Pathologist John McBride arrives to investigate, bringing expertise in unusual cases. The community debates what's happening.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The first brutal werewolf attack occurs, with witnesses describing an inhuman creature. McBride commits to staying and hunting whatever is killing villagers, entering the world of the supernatural curse.
Mirror World
McBride reveals his personal connection to the supernatural: he previously encountered a similar curse and lost someone he loved. This subplot mirrors the film's theme about past sins and redemption.
Premise
The hunt for the creature intensifies. McBride investigates the connection between the silver teeth and the attacks. More villagers are killed in increasingly horrific ways. The Laurent family's dark history begins to surface as McBride uncovers the truth about the Roma massacre.
Midpoint
Edward Laurent is revealed to be infected by the curse and transforming into the beast. The threat is now inside the main family, and McBride realizes the silver teeth must be destroyed to break the curse. False defeat: the enemy is closer and more personal than anyone imagined.
Opposition
Seamus Laurent refuses to believe his son is cursed and opposes McBride's efforts. Edward's transformations become more frequent and violent. Charlotte tries to protect her brother while confronting her father about his past crimes. The curse strengthens its hold as the full moon approaches.
Collapse
Edward fully transforms and kills his own father Seamus in a devastating attack. The patriarch's death represents both literal death and the death of the family's denial about their cursed legacy. Charlotte witnesses the horror of what her brother has become.
Crisis
In the dark aftermath, Charlotte must accept that her brother is lost and McBride confronts his own trauma. They realize the only way to end the curse is to destroy the silver teeth and kill Edward, requiring Charlotte to sacrifice her brother.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The final confrontation with Edward in full werewolf form. McBride and Charlotte hunt the creature through the estate. A brutal battle ensues where McBride uses his knowledge and the silver bullets to wound the beast. Charlotte makes the final choice to end her brother's suffering.