The Future
When a couple decides to adopt a stray cat their perspective on life changes radically, literally altering the course of time and space and testing their faith in each other and themselves.
Produced on a modest budget of $1.0M, the film represents a independent production.
1 win & 7 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 Future (2011) showcases carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Miranda July's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 31 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Sophie and Jason are introduced in their stagnant mid-30s life, working from home in creative but unfulfilling jobs, discussing their plan to adopt an injured cat named Paw Paw in 30 days.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when They commit to adopting Paw Paw in 30 days, triggering existential panic. They realize this responsibility represents adulthood and the end of infinite possibility.. 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.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Sophie begins an affair with Marshall and moves into his house, abandoning Jason. What seemed like creative liberation reveals itself as relationship dissolution. Jason, alone, stops time by literally freezing the moon., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 67 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Sophie realizes she's made a terrible mistake with Marshall and their new life is a fantasy. Paw Paw narrates her own death at the shelter, unloved and unadopted. The dream dies., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 73 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Sophie decides to return home. Jason allows time to move again, accepting that he cannot stop the inevitable. Both choose to face reality instead of hiding in fantasy., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Future's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Future against these established plot points, we can identify how Miranda July utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Future within the drama genre.
Miranda July's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Miranda July films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Future represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Miranda July filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Miranda July analyses, see Kajillionaire.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Sophie and Jason are introduced in their stagnant mid-30s life, working from home in creative but unfulfilling jobs, discussing their plan to adopt an injured cat named Paw Paw in 30 days.
Theme
The cat shelter worker explains that Paw Paw has limited time left and they must decide now. The unspoken theme: time is finite, and our choices define who we become.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Sophie and Jason's isolated existence, their childless relationship, creative ambitions unfulfilled, and their apartment as a cocoon from real life and commitment.
Disruption
They commit to adopting Paw Paw in 30 days, triggering existential panic. They realize this responsibility represents adulthood and the end of infinite possibility.
Resistance
Sophie and Jason make a pact to transform their lives before the cat arrives: Jason will quit his tech support job, Sophie will post a dance video daily. They debate what kind of people they want to become.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Sophie and Jason explore their new freedom. Jason becomes a door-to-door environmental canvasser, Sophie creates increasingly personal dance videos. The fun of reinvention slowly reveals their incompatibility.
Midpoint
Sophie begins an affair with Marshall and moves into his house, abandoning Jason. What seemed like creative liberation reveals itself as relationship dissolution. Jason, alone, stops time by literally freezing the moon.
Opposition
Sophie lives with Marshall and his daughter but feels increasingly trapped in a different kind of stagnation. Jason exists in frozen time, unable to move forward, speaking to the moon, disconnected from reality.
Collapse
Sophie realizes she's made a terrible mistake with Marshall and their new life is a fantasy. Paw Paw narrates her own death at the shelter, unloved and unadopted. The dream dies.
Crisis
Sophie confronts the emptiness of her choices. Jason remains frozen in time, paralyzed by fear. Both sit alone with the consequences of their attempts to escape their lives rather than live them.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Sophie decides to return home. Jason allows time to move again, accepting that he cannot stop the inevitable. Both choose to face reality instead of hiding in fantasy.
Synthesis
Sophie returns to the apartment. The couple reunites in their unchanged space, older now, having learned that transformation comes not from escape but from acceptance. Time moves forward.
Transformation
Sophie and Jason sit together in their apartment, not magically transformed but present with each other and their limitations. Paw Paw's yellow t-shirt lies on the floor, a ghost of their failed commitment.