The Handmaid's Tale
In a dystopian, polluted right-wing religious tyranny, a young woman is put in sexual slavery on account of her now rare fertility.
The film financial setback against its limited budget of $13.0M, earning $5.0M globally (-62% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unconventional structure within the drama 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 Handmaid's Tale (1990) demonstrates meticulously timed plot construction, characteristic of Volker Schlöndorff's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Kate and her family attempt to escape the Republic of Gilead at the border, establishing the oppressive world where women have lost all rights and freedom.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Offred is assigned to the Commander's household and meets Serena Joy, beginning her life as a handmaid in forced reproductive servitude.. 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.
The First Threshold at 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Offred participates in her first "Ceremony" - the ritualized rape where the Commander attempts to impregnate her while Serena Joy holds her down, fully entering the nightmare of her new existence., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat The Commander takes Offred to Jezebel's, an underground brothel where elite men exploit women. She sees her friend Moira working there, broken and resigned, revealing the false promise of the Commander's "kindness" and the inescapability of Gilead's oppression., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Ofglen is arrested and disappears, replaced by a new handmaid. Offred learns her friend has been killed or mutilated. The resistance network is compromised, and Offred is utterly alone and exposed., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 86 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Offred chooses to trust Nick and leaves with the Eyes who arrive at the house. The Commander and Serena Joy watch helplessly. Offred steps into the van, uncertain whether she's going to freedom or execution, but choosing hope and action over passive submission., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Handmaid's Tale'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 Handmaid's Tale against these established plot points, we can identify how Volker Schlöndorff utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Handmaid's Tale within the drama genre.
Volker Schlöndorff's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Volker Schlöndorff films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Handmaid's Tale takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Volker Schlöndorff filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Volker Schlöndorff analyses, see The Tin Drum, Palmetto.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kate and her family attempt to escape the Republic of Gilead at the border, establishing the oppressive world where women have lost all rights and freedom.
Theme
At the Red Center, Aunt Lydia indoctrinates the handmaids: "Ordinary is what you are used to. This may not seem ordinary to you now, but after a time it will."
Worldbuilding
Kate is captured and renamed Offred. We learn the rules of Gilead through her training at the Red Center, the brutal re-education process, and introduction to the hierarchical society where fertile women are enslaved as childbearing vessels.
Disruption
Offred is assigned to the Commander's household and meets Serena Joy, beginning her life as a handmaid in forced reproductive servitude.
Resistance
Offred navigates the rituals and dangers of the Commander's house. She meets Nick, the chauffeur, and Ofglen, her shopping partner. She learns the unspoken rules and witnesses public executions, understanding the deadly stakes of resistance.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Offred participates in her first "Ceremony" - the ritualized rape where the Commander attempts to impregnate her while Serena Joy holds her down, fully entering the nightmare of her new existence.
Premise
Offred's double life unfolds: publicly a silent handmaid, privately playing Scrabble with the Commander and experiencing small freedoms. She develops a connection with Nick. Ofglen reveals she's part of the resistance, offering hope for rebellion.
Midpoint
The Commander takes Offred to Jezebel's, an underground brothel where elite men exploit women. She sees her friend Moira working there, broken and resigned, revealing the false promise of the Commander's "kindness" and the inescapability of Gilead's oppression.
Opposition
Serena Joy, desperate for a child, arranges for Offred to sleep with Nick to get pregnant. The Eyes (secret police) increase surveillance. Ofglen becomes more urgent about the resistance. Offred's pregnancy becomes confirmed but paternity uncertain, tightening the web of danger.
Collapse
Ofglen is arrested and disappears, replaced by a new handmaid. Offred learns her friend has been killed or mutilated. The resistance network is compromised, and Offred is utterly alone and exposed.
Crisis
Serena Joy discovers evidence of Offred's visits to the Commander and threatens her with death. Offred faces complete despair, trapped between the Commander, his wife, and the regime with no apparent escape.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Offred chooses to trust Nick and leaves with the Eyes who arrive at the house. The Commander and Serena Joy watch helplessly. Offred steps into the van, uncertain whether she's going to freedom or execution, but choosing hope and action over passive submission.
Transformation
Offred rides away in the van into an unknown future, pregnant and uncertain but having reclaimed her agency by choosing to trust and act rather than submit, transformed from passive victim to active participant in her fate.