The Father
Having just scared off his recent caregiver, Anthony, an ailing, octogenarian Londoner gradually succumbing to dementia, feels abandoned when concerned Anne, his daughter, tells him she's moving to Paris. Confused and upset, against the backdrop of a warped perspective and his rapid, heart-rending mental decline, Anthony is starting to lose his grip on reality, struggling to navigate the opaque landscape of present and past. Now, as faded memories and glimpses of lucidity trigger sudden mood swings, dear ones, Anthony's surroundings, and even time itself become distorted. Why has his younger daughter stopped visiting? Who are the strangers that burst in on Anthony?
Despite its modest budget of $6.0M, The Father became a commercial success, earning $21.0M worldwide—a 250% return. The film's unique voice connected with viewers, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
2 Oscars. 38 wins & 169 nominations
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 Father (2020) exhibits deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Florian Zeller's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 37 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 5.6, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Anthony in his elegant London flat, confident and dismissive, accusing his daughter Anne of taking his watch. Establishes him as sharp-tongued, proud, and in denial about his condition.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Anne reveals she's moving to Paris with her boyfriend, meaning Anthony will need full-time care. This threatens his independence and control, forcing him to confront that his current situation is unsustainable.. 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 21 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 22% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Anthony tentatively accepts Laura as his caregiver, a surrender of some independence. This marks his crossing into a world where he must rely on others, though he doesn't fully realize the implications yet., moving from reaction to action.
At 42 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 43% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Significantly, this crucial beat False defeat: Anthony confronts Paul about the watch and is told a devastating truth—Lucy is dead, killed in an accident. Anthony refuses to believe this. The stakes raise: he's not just forgetting things, he's lost grip on fundamental reality., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 64 minutes (66% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Anthony wakes in an unfamiliar room, completely disoriented. The "whiff of death": his old self is gone. He doesn't know where he is, who Anne is, or what's happening. Pure terror and loss. "I feel as if I'm losing all my leaves."., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 71 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 73% of the runtime. No triumph or realization—instead, acceptance. A nurse (who resembles Laura) comforts him gently. Anthony accepts comfort like a child. The synthesis is the film's point of view: understanding dementia requires surrendering the need for linear reality., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Father's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Father against these established plot points, we can identify how Florian Zeller utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Father within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Anthony in his elegant London flat, confident and dismissive, accusing his daughter Anne of taking his watch. Establishes him as sharp-tongued, proud, and in denial about his condition.
Theme
Anne tells Anthony: "I can't cope anymore." The theme of losing grip on reality and the burden on loved ones is established. Anthony dismisses this, insisting he's managing fine.
Worldbuilding
Setup of Anthony's world: his flat, his relationship with Anne, his pride in his independence. Introduction of the caregiver problem—he keeps driving them away. Reality begins to shift subtly: the flat's layout changes, Anne's husband Paul appears but seems unfamiliar.
Disruption
Anne reveals she's moving to Paris with her boyfriend, meaning Anthony will need full-time care. This threatens his independence and control, forcing him to confront that his current situation is unsustainable.
Resistance
Anthony resists accepting help. New caregiver Laura is introduced. Anthony charms her, talks about his other daughter Lucy (a painter). Time and space become increasingly unstable—characters shift identities, the apartment changes. Anthony debates whether he needs help at all.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Anthony tentatively accepts Laura as his caregiver, a surrender of some independence. This marks his crossing into a world where he must rely on others, though he doesn't fully realize the implications yet.
Premise
The "promise" of this premise: experiencing dementia from inside. Reality fractures increasingly—Anne becomes different people, Paul is sometimes present/absent, the apartment transforms. Anthony tries to maintain dignity and routine. Moments of lucidity alternate with confusion.
Midpoint
False defeat: Anthony confronts Paul about the watch and is told a devastating truth—Lucy is dead, killed in an accident. Anthony refuses to believe this. The stakes raise: he's not just forgetting things, he's lost grip on fundamental reality.
Opposition
Reality becomes hostile. Paul grows menacing and cruel. Time collapses—scenes repeat with variations. Anthony can't find his watch, can't remember conversations, can't trust what he sees. Anne (or is she Anne?) tries to help but he can't recognize her consistently. His world closes in.
Collapse
Anthony wakes in an unfamiliar room, completely disoriented. The "whiff of death": his old self is gone. He doesn't know where he is, who Anne is, or what's happening. Pure terror and loss. "I feel as if I'm losing all my leaves."
Crisis
The truth revealed: Anthony is in a care facility. Anne (who has sometimes appeared as other people) has been caring for him but is exhausted. He doesn't recognize his own life. He weeps, asking for his mother. The proud, sharp man is gone.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
No triumph or realization—instead, acceptance. A nurse (who resembles Laura) comforts him gently. Anthony accepts comfort like a child. The synthesis is the film's point of view: understanding dementia requires surrendering the need for linear reality.
Synthesis
The nurse comforts Anthony, telling him they'll go to the park. Anne visits, exhausted and grieving. She's leaving for Paris—fulfilling her plan but having lost her father to the disease. Anthony sits peacefully, lost but no longer fighting.
Transformation
Final image: Anthony in the care home, confused and childlike, a complete reversal of the confident man from the opening. The transformation is tragic—he's lost everything including himself. Anne walks away, burdened but free.