The Idea of You
Solène, a 40-year-old single mom, begins an unexpected romance with 24-year-old Hayes Campbell, the lead singer of August Moon, the hottest boy band on the planet.
The film earned $36K at the global box office.
2 wins & 11 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 Idea of You (2024) showcases strategically placed story structure, characteristic of Michael Showalter's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 56 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 Solène drops her daughter Izzy at school, establishing her as a devoted single mother and successful art gallery owner living a careful, controlled life after divorce.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Solène accidentally wanders into August Moon's private trailer at Coachella looking for a bathroom and meets Hayes Campbell, who is immediately captivated by her.. 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 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Solène makes the active choice to kiss Hayes at her home, crossing the threshold from resistance into a secret relationship despite knowing the risks to both their lives., moving from reaction to action.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Their relationship is exposed to the public through paparazzi photos. What was private and perfect now faces brutal public scrutiny, judgment, and the harsh spotlight of celebrity culture., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 87 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Solène realizes the relationship is damaging Izzy and potentially destroying Hayes's career. The cost of their love has become unbearable, threatening everything they each hold dear., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 93 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Five years later, Solène realizes that taking the risk and experiencing that love—even with its pain—was worth it. She understands that choosing to feel fully alive matters more than safety., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Idea of You's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Idea of You against these established plot points, we can identify how Michael Showalter utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Idea of You within the comedy genre.
Michael Showalter's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Michael Showalter films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Idea of You takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Michael Showalter filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Michael Showalter analyses, see Hello, My Name Is Doris, The Big Sick.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Solène drops her daughter Izzy at school, establishing her as a devoted single mother and successful art gallery owner living a careful, controlled life after divorce.
Theme
Izzy's friend comments "You have to take risks to feel alive" when discussing Coachella plans, planting the thematic question about playing it safe versus embracing passion.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Solène's world: her art gallery, relationship with daughter Izzy, the aftermath of her ex-husband's betrayal, and her reluctant agreement to take Izzy to Coachella when her ex cancels.
Disruption
Solène accidentally wanders into August Moon's private trailer at Coachella looking for a bathroom and meets Hayes Campbell, who is immediately captivated by her.
Resistance
Hayes pursues Solène despite the age gap and her resistance. She debates whether this attention is real or dangerous, wrestling with societal judgment and her own fears about being vulnerable again.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Solène makes the active choice to kiss Hayes at her home, crossing the threshold from resistance into a secret relationship despite knowing the risks to both their lives.
Mirror World
Hayes shows Solène his private world beyond the pop star persona, sharing his art and genuine self. Their connection deepens beyond physical attraction into emotional intimacy.
Premise
The romantic fantasy: secret rendezvous, stolen moments across the globe, passionate connection. Solène rediscovers her capacity for joy and spontaneity while Hayes finds authentic connection beyond fame.
Midpoint
Their relationship is exposed to the public through paparazzi photos. What was private and perfect now faces brutal public scrutiny, judgment, and the harsh spotlight of celebrity culture.
Opposition
The world closes in: vicious online harassment, impact on Izzy at school, pressure from Hayes's management, Solène's gallery reputation suffering. The age gap becomes ammunition for public cruelty.
Collapse
Solène realizes the relationship is damaging Izzy and potentially destroying Hayes's career. The cost of their love has become unbearable, threatening everything they each hold dear.
Crisis
Solène sits in the darkness of her decision to end things, processing the grief of choosing responsibility over passion, protection over happiness. Hayes struggles with losing authentic love.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Five years later, Solène realizes that taking the risk and experiencing that love—even with its pain—was worth it. She understands that choosing to feel fully alive matters more than safety.
Synthesis
Solène has rebuilt her life with newfound confidence and openness. Hayes returns, having grown and matured. They navigate whether their connection can exist in a healthier context, both transformed by their experience.
Transformation
Solène stands transformed—no longer playing it safe or living through others. She has integrated passion with wisdom, having learned that loving fully, even with risk, is what makes life meaningful.