The Frighteners
Once an architect, Frank Bannister now passes himself off as an exorcist of evil spirits. To bolster his facade, he claims his "special" gift is the result of a car accident that killed his wife. But what he does not count on is more people dying in the small town where he lives. As he tries to piece together the supernatural mystery of these killings, he falls in love with the wife of one of the victims and deals with a crazy FBI agent.
The film struggled financially against its moderate budget of $30.0M, earning $29.4M globally (-2% loss).
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 Frighteners (1996) exhibits deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Peter Jackson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 50 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Frank Bannister running a psychic scam with his ghost buddies, haunting houses then "exorcising" them for money. Living in grief, isolated in his unfinished house where his wife died.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Frank sees the Grim Reaper number "38" carved into Ray Lynskey's forehead, predicting his imminent death. Ray dies shortly after. A real supernatural threat emerges beyond Frank's controlled scam.. 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.
At 55 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Frank discovers Patricia Bradley is alive and the true source of Johnny Bartlett's power. The stakes escalate—this isn't just a ghost, but a living accomplice. False defeat: the enemy is more powerful and organized than 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, Johnny Bartlett kills Frank by stopping his heart. Frank dies and enters the ghost realm, seemingly defeated. Literal death—the ultimate "whiff of death." All seems lost as the hero is murdered., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 89 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Final confrontation at Patricia Bradley's house. Frank battles Johnny Bartlett and Patricia, using both physical and spiritual abilities. Lucy fights Patricia. Epic finale with house destruction, Debra's spirit helping, and Johnny being dragged to hell. Victory through accepting loss., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Frighteners's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Frighteners against these established plot points, we can identify how Peter Jackson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Frighteners within the horror genre.
Peter Jackson's Structural Approach
Among the 9 Peter Jackson films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.3, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Frighteners represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Peter Jackson filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye. For more Peter Jackson analyses, see King Kong, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Frank Bannister running a psychic scam with his ghost buddies, haunting houses then "exorcising" them for money. Living in grief, isolated in his unfinished house where his wife died.
Theme
Judge mentions "Sometimes you have to let go of the past to move forward" when discussing Frank's wife's death and the incomplete construction. Frank deflects, unable to face this truth.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Frank's con-artist operation with ghosts Cyrus, Stuart, and the Judge. Introduction to Fairwater town, Frank's tragic past losing his wife Debra in a car accident, his psychic abilities, and his cynical worldview. Ray Lynskey's haunting begins.
Disruption
Frank sees the Grim Reaper number "38" carved into Ray Lynskey's forehead, predicting his imminent death. Ray dies shortly after. A real supernatural threat emerges beyond Frank's controlled scam.
Resistance
Frank investigates the deaths, meeting Dr. Lucy Lynskey (Ray's widow). More numbered deaths occur. FBI agent Dammers arrives, suspicious of Frank. Frank debates whether to get involved or run, resisting the call to genuine heroism.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Frank and Lucy investigate the ghost murders together, discovering the pattern leads to Johnny Bartlett, a 1960s serial killer. Ghost action, supernatural detective work, and budding romance. Frank uses his abilities for good, experiencing the "fun" of being a real ghostbuster.
Midpoint
Frank discovers Patricia Bradley is alive and the true source of Johnny Bartlett's power. The stakes escalate—this isn't just a ghost, but a living accomplice. False defeat: the enemy is more powerful and organized than imagined.
Opposition
Johnny Bartlett and Patricia intensify attacks. Agent Dammers pursues Frank as a suspect. Frank's ghost friends are captured/destroyed. Lucy is endangered. The net closes as Frank loses allies and credibility while the body count rises.
Collapse
Johnny Bartlett kills Frank by stopping his heart. Frank dies and enters the ghost realm, seemingly defeated. Literal death—the ultimate "whiff of death." All seems lost as the hero is murdered.
Crisis
Frank as a ghost confronts his wife Debra's spirit in limbo. Dark night of the soul where he must finally face his grief, guilt, and inability to let go. Debra tells him to return to life and move on.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Final confrontation at Patricia Bradley's house. Frank battles Johnny Bartlett and Patricia, using both physical and spiritual abilities. Lucy fights Patricia. Epic finale with house destruction, Debra's spirit helping, and Johnny being dragged to hell. Victory through accepting loss.