The Innocent
Sylvie, a nearly sixty-year-old woman, has fallen in love with Michel, a thug she marries in prison. The couple dream of starting again with a clean slate by opening a flower shop. But Sylvie’s son Abel, convinced that Michel will fall into a life of crime, disapproves of this relationship.
Working with a tight budget of $4.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $5.2M in global revenue (+29% profit margin).
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 Innocent (2022) exemplifies carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Louis Garrel's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 39 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Mat is released from prison after serving time for accidental manslaughter, returning to ordinary life attempting to rebuild his relationship with Olivia.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Mat receives a mysterious phone call suggesting that the man he killed in prison may not have been who he thought, pulling him into a conspiracy that threatens his new life.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Mat makes the active choice to investigate his past, contacting people connected to the dead man and diving into the mystery despite knowing it could destroy his relationship with Olivia., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Mat discovers a major revelation: the death in prison was not an accident but part of a larger criminal conspiracy involving powerful people. What seemed like personal redemption becomes a fight for survival. False defeat as the scope of danger becomes clear., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Mat's investigation puts Olivia in direct danger. Someone close to him is killed or badly hurt as consequence of his actions. The whiff of death arrives as Mat realizes his quest for truth has destroyed everything he tried to rebuild., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 79 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Mat synthesizes what he's learned: to truly move forward, he must confront the conspiracy fully rather than run from it. New evidence or revelation provides the key to exposing the truth and protecting those he loves. He gains clarity and purpose., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Innocent's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Innocent against these established plot points, we can identify how Louis Garrel utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Innocent within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Mat is released from prison after serving time for accidental manslaughter, returning to ordinary life attempting to rebuild his relationship with Olivia.
Theme
A character mentions that "the past never stays buried" - establishing the theme that secrets and past actions inevitably resurface to demand reckoning.
Worldbuilding
Exposition reveals Mat's past: his accidental killing in a nightclub fight, his time in prison, and his efforts to reconnect with his wife Olivia who has moved on. The world of reformed ex-convicts trying to reclaim normal lives is established.
Disruption
Mat receives a mysterious phone call suggesting that the man he killed in prison may not have been who he thought, pulling him into a conspiracy that threatens his new life.
Resistance
Mat debates whether to investigate or leave the past alone. He struggles with protecting his fresh start versus uncovering the truth. Olivia warns him to let it go, but Mat becomes increasingly obsessed with understanding what really happened.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Mat makes the active choice to investigate his past, contacting people connected to the dead man and diving into the mystery despite knowing it could destroy his relationship with Olivia.
Mirror World
Mat encounters Kimmy, the widow of the man he killed, who represents the human cost of his actions and becomes an unexpected connection that mirrors his own journey of seeking truth and redemption.
Premise
Mat navigates the conspiracy thriller premise: following clues, uncovering connections, discovering that the man he killed was involved in something dangerous. The film delivers on its promise of mystery and intrigue through flashbacks and present-day investigation.
Midpoint
Mat discovers a major revelation: the death in prison was not an accident but part of a larger criminal conspiracy involving powerful people. What seemed like personal redemption becomes a fight for survival. False defeat as the scope of danger becomes clear.
Opposition
The conspiracy closes in on Mat. Those involved in the original crime try to silence him. His relationship with Olivia deteriorates as she discovers his investigation. The pressure intensifies from all sides as Mat's dual worlds collide and his flaws catch up to him.
Collapse
Mat's investigation puts Olivia in direct danger. Someone close to him is killed or badly hurt as consequence of his actions. The whiff of death arrives as Mat realizes his quest for truth has destroyed everything he tried to rebuild.
Crisis
Mat reaches his dark night of the soul, questioning whether uncovering the truth was worth the cost. He confronts the reality that his obsession with the past has sabotaged his future, and he must process the loss before finding new resolve.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Mat synthesizes what he's learned: to truly move forward, he must confront the conspiracy fully rather than run from it. New evidence or revelation provides the key to exposing the truth and protecting those he loves. He gains clarity and purpose.
Synthesis
Mat executes his plan to expose the conspiracy and confront those responsible. The finale weaves together past and present timelines, revealing final twists and bringing resolution to the mystery while Mat fights to save what matters most.
Transformation
Final image shows Mat transformed: he has found peace not by escaping his past but by confronting it fully. Whether reunited with Olivia or accepting their separation, he is no longer running from who he was but integrated with his full truth.