The Exorcism
A troubled actor begins to exhibit a disruptive behavior while shooting a horror film. His estranged daughter wonders if he's slipping back into his past addictions or if there's something more sinister at play.
The film underperformed commercially against its respectable budget of $22.0M, earning $12.6M globally (-43% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unconventional structure within the horror 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 Exorcism (2024) exhibits deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Joshua John Miller's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 36 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.5, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Anthony Miller, a troubled actor struggling with addiction and career decline, arrives on set for a horror film where he'll play a priest performing an exorcism. His strained relationship with his daughter Lee is evident.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when During the first exorcism scene rehearsal, Anthony experiences a disturbing blackout and violent outburst. Strange phenomena begin occurring on set—unexplained sounds, equipment malfunctions, and Anthony hearing voices that others don't.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. 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 26% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Anthony makes the active choice to fully commit to the role despite the warnings and strange occurrences. He decides to "go deeper" into the character, believing this performance could save his career and relationship with Lee. He refuses to walk away., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat During the climactic exorcism scene, Anthony appears to become genuinely possessed. A crew member is seriously injured in a violent incident. The production shuts down, but something has truly taken hold of Anthony—false defeat as he seems to have lost control completely., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 71 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Anthony nearly kills Lee during a violent episode. The priest consultant performs an actual exorcism but appears to fail, leaving Anthony apparently lost to the possession. The whiff of death: Anthony's humanity seems completely gone, and his daughter may be fatally harmed., reveals 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 80% of the runtime. Anthony fights back against the possession using both the exorcism rituals he learned for the role and genuine faith found through his love for Lee. The final battle combines his acting skills with authentic spiritual warfare. He confronts his demons—literal and psychological—and reclaims himself., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Exorcism'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 Exorcism against these established plot points, we can identify how Joshua John Miller utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Exorcism within the horror genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Anthony Miller, a troubled actor struggling with addiction and career decline, arrives on set for a horror film where he'll play a priest performing an exorcism. His strained relationship with his daughter Lee is evident.
Theme
The director tells Anthony that playing this role requires confronting real demons—both literal and personal. "You can't fake faith when evil is watching." The theme of facing one's inner darkness to find redemption is stated.
Worldbuilding
Anthony's troubled past is revealed: addiction issues, a career in decline, and his attempt to rebuild his relationship with daughter Lee. The film-within-a-film setup is established, introducing the cast and crew, and the old church location with a dark history.
Disruption
During the first exorcism scene rehearsal, Anthony experiences a disturbing blackout and violent outburst. Strange phenomena begin occurring on set—unexplained sounds, equipment malfunctions, and Anthony hearing voices that others don't.
Resistance
Anthony struggles with whether to continue with the role. Lee encourages him to push through. A priest consultant on set warns about the dangers of mockery and disrespect toward spiritual forces. Anthony debates leaving but his need for redemption keeps him engaged.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Anthony makes the active choice to fully commit to the role despite the warnings and strange occurrences. He decides to "go deeper" into the character, believing this performance could save his career and relationship with Lee. He refuses to walk away.
Mirror World
Anthony's relationship with Lee becomes the emotional anchor. She represents the life and redemption he's fighting for—the thematic mirror showing what he needs (genuine connection and forgiveness) versus what he wants (career success).
Premise
The horror escalates as filming continues. Anthony delivers powerful performances but his behavior becomes increasingly erratic. The line between acting and reality blurs as he experiences visions, violent impulses, and personality changes. The film explores possession both literal and metaphorical.
Midpoint
During the climactic exorcism scene, Anthony appears to become genuinely possessed. A crew member is seriously injured in a violent incident. The production shuts down, but something has truly taken hold of Anthony—false defeat as he seems to have lost control completely.
Opposition
Anthony's condition deteriorates rapidly. Lee and the priest consultant try to help, but Anthony becomes hostile and dangerous. The entity (or his fractured psyche) gains strength. His past traumas and guilt manifest as demonic torment. Everyone around him is in danger.
Collapse
Anthony nearly kills Lee during a violent episode. The priest consultant performs an actual exorcism but appears to fail, leaving Anthony apparently lost to the possession. The whiff of death: Anthony's humanity seems completely gone, and his daughter may be fatally harmed.
Crisis
In the darkness following the collapse, Lee refuses to give up on her father. Anthony, in brief moments of lucidity, battles internally with the force controlling him. The question becomes whether any part of the real Anthony remains worth saving.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Anthony fights back against the possession using both the exorcism rituals he learned for the role and genuine faith found through his love for Lee. The final battle combines his acting skills with authentic spiritual warfare. He confronts his demons—literal and psychological—and reclaims himself.