The Estate
Two sisters attempt to win over their terminally ill, difficult-to-please Aunt in hopes of becoming the beneficiaries of her wealthy estate, only to find the rest of their greedy family members have the same idea.
The film earned $572K 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 Estate (2022) demonstrates meticulously timed plot construction, characteristic of Dean Craig's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 36 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Macey and her husband are shown struggling financially, arguing about their failing café business and mounting debts.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Macey and her husband arrive at Aunt Hilda's estate and commit to their plan to win her favor, crossing into the morally ambiguous world of inheritance manipulation., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Aunt Hilda reveals she knows about the family's schemes, raising the stakes and making everyone realize the inheritance is far from guaranteed. The manipulations intensify., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 72 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Aunt Hilda dies, and the family discovers the will. The inheritance plans collapse as the true extent of their moral degradation and damaged relationships becomes clear., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Macey works to reconcile with her sister and husband, accepting responsibility for her actions and finding alternative solutions to their financial problems based on honest effort., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Estate's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Estate against these established plot points, we can identify how Dean Craig utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Estate 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
Macey and her husband are shown struggling financially, arguing about their failing café business and mounting debts.
Theme
A character mentions that family will do anything for money, foreshadowing the moral compromises to come.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Macey's desperate financial situation, her strained relationship with her husband, and the introduction of her wealthy, dying Aunt Hilda as a potential solution.
Resistance
Macey debates the ethics of ingratiating herself to her dying aunt for inheritance. She discusses the plan with her husband and they prepare to visit Aunt Hilda.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Macey and her husband arrive at Aunt Hilda's estate and commit to their plan to win her favor, crossing into the morally ambiguous world of inheritance manipulation.
Mirror World
Macey's sister Savanna arrives with the same plan, creating a rivalry that mirrors Macey's own greed and forces her to confront what she's become.
Premise
The dark comedy escalates as family members compete for Aunt Hilda's favor through increasingly absurd and morally questionable acts of devotion and manipulation.
Midpoint
Aunt Hilda reveals she knows about the family's schemes, raising the stakes and making everyone realize the inheritance is far from guaranteed. The manipulations intensify.
Opposition
Family members' schemes become more desperate and destructive. Relationships deteriorate as greed overtakes any remaining familial bonds. Aunt Hilda plays them against each other.
Collapse
Aunt Hilda dies, and the family discovers the will. The inheritance plans collapse as the true extent of their moral degradation and damaged relationships becomes clear.
Crisis
Macey confronts the cost of her actions - the damage to her marriage, her relationship with her sister, and her own integrity. She processes her loss and shame.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Macey works to reconcile with her sister and husband, accepting responsibility for her actions and finding alternative solutions to their financial problems based on honest effort.