The Disaster Artist
An aspiring actor in Hollywood meets an enigmatic stranger by the name of Tommy Wiseau, the meeting leads the actor down a path nobody could have predicted; creating the worst movie ever made.
Despite its tight budget of $10.0M, The Disaster Artist became a commercial success, earning $29.8M worldwide—a 198% return.
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 Disaster Artist (2017) exemplifies deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of James Franco's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 44 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Greg Sestero attends an acting class in San Francisco, watching other students perform safe, boring scenes. He feels stifled by the conventional approach and longs for something more authentic.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Tommy suggests they move to Los Angeles together to pursue their dreams. This is the opportunity Greg has been waiting for - a way out of San Francisco and into the heart of the film industry.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to After being rejected from every audition, Tommy declares: "If they won't give us opportunities, we'll make our own movie." Greg enthusiastically agrees. Tommy decides to write, direct, produce, and star in his own film, with Greg as his co-star., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Greg gets cast in "Malcolm in the Middle" - a real Hollywood break. Tommy feels betrayed and excluded. Their friendship fractures as Tommy's jealousy and possessiveness reach a breaking point. Stakes are raised: will Greg choose his own career or his loyalty to Tommy?., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 75 minutes (72% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Tommy discovers Greg has been cast in the TV show and feels utterly betrayed. In a devastating confrontation, Tommy accuses Greg of abandoning him and their dream. Greg finally snaps and calls Tommy out for his selfishness and delusion. Their friendship appears dead - the dream that brought them together is destroyed., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 83 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Greg receives an invitation to "The Room" premiere. Despite everything, he decides to attend - a gesture of reconciliation. He realizes that their friendship and Tommy's unwavering commitment to his vision, however flawed, matter more than the conventional success they originally sought., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Disaster Artist's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Disaster Artist against these established plot points, we can identify how James Franco utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Disaster Artist within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Greg Sestero attends an acting class in San Francisco, watching other students perform safe, boring scenes. He feels stifled by the conventional approach and longs for something more authentic.
Theme
Tommy Wiseau performs an explosive, bizarre scene from A Streetcar Named Desire in class. His instructor tells him he'll never make it in Hollywood, but to "just have fun with it" - establishing the theme that artistic passion and friendship matter more than conventional success.
Worldbuilding
Greg is drawn to Tommy's fearless commitment despite his lack of talent. They form an unlikely friendship bonding over their Hollywood dreams. Tommy has mysterious wealth and a Los Angeles apartment. Greg has a girlfriend (Amber) and a mother who doubts his acting career.
Disruption
Tommy suggests they move to Los Angeles together to pursue their dreams. This is the opportunity Greg has been waiting for - a way out of San Francisco and into the heart of the film industry.
Resistance
Greg and Tommy move to LA and begin auditioning. They face constant rejection - Greg is told he's not special enough, Tommy is told he's too old and weird. Greg gets an agent (Iris Burton) who sees potential in him. Tommy grows increasingly jealous as Greg finds modest success and begins dating Amber seriously.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
After being rejected from every audition, Tommy declares: "If they won't give us opportunities, we'll make our own movie." Greg enthusiastically agrees. Tommy decides to write, direct, produce, and star in his own film, with Greg as his co-star.
Mirror World
The film crew is assembled, including script supervisor Sandy Schklair who will become a voice of reason and professionalism. The B-story revolves around the tension between Tommy's delusional artistic vision and the real filmmaking process, mirroring the theme of passion versus competence.
Premise
Production of "The Room" begins. This section delivers the promise of the premise - behind-the-scenes chaos of making the worst movie ever. Tommy's bizarre directorial choices, inability to remember lines, mistreatment of the cast and crew, and mysterious financing create escalating absurdity. Greg tries to support Tommy while also pursuing his own relationship and career.
Midpoint
Greg gets cast in "Malcolm in the Middle" - a real Hollywood break. Tommy feels betrayed and excluded. Their friendship fractures as Tommy's jealousy and possessiveness reach a breaking point. Stakes are raised: will Greg choose his own career or his loyalty to Tommy?
Opposition
Production deteriorates. Tommy becomes increasingly tyrannical, cruel to actress Juliette Danielle during the intimate scenes, hostile to the crew, and controlling toward Greg. Greg tries to balance his TV commitment with the film. Tommy's insecurity and need for control alienate everyone. The crew nearly mutinies.
Collapse
Tommy discovers Greg has been cast in the TV show and feels utterly betrayed. In a devastating confrontation, Tommy accuses Greg of abandoning him and their dream. Greg finally snaps and calls Tommy out for his selfishness and delusion. Their friendship appears dead - the dream that brought them together is destroyed.
Crisis
Greg quits the production and walks away from Tommy. The movie wraps without him attending. Months pass. Greg pursues his real career, but feels empty about how things ended. Tommy completes the film alone, isolated and bitter. Both process the loss of their friendship.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Greg receives an invitation to "The Room" premiere. Despite everything, he decides to attend - a gesture of reconciliation. He realizes that their friendship and Tommy's unwavering commitment to his vision, however flawed, matter more than the conventional success they originally sought.
Synthesis
The premiere of "The Room" unfolds. The audience laughs hysterically at what was meant to be serious drama. Tommy is devastated until Greg arrives and tells the audience Tommy intended it as a comedy. The crowd cheers. Tommy, seeing people genuinely enjoying his work (even if not as intended), takes a bow. The friendship is repaired through acceptance and reframing of success.
Transformation
Final image: Greg and Tommy exit the theater together to a cheering crowd. "The Room" has become a cult phenomenon, selling out midnight screenings. Tommy has achieved his dream of fame and recognition, just not in the way he imagined. Greg has learned that loyalty and friendship transcend conventional Hollywood success.