The Invisible
After an attack leaves him in limbo -- invisible to the living and also near death -- a teenager discovers the only person who might be able help him is his attacker.
The film struggled financially against its moderate budget of $30.0M, earning $26.8M globally (-11% 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 Invisible (2007) exemplifies precise dramatic framework, characteristic of David S. Goyer's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 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 Nick Powell writes alone in his room, disconnected from his wealthy family and high school social life. His mother doesn't understand his passion for writing, and he feels emotionally invisible despite his privileged circumstances.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Pete is caught with the stolen jewelry and falsely tells police that Annie was involved, setting off a chain reaction. Annie believes Nick ratted her out, leading to the confrontation that will change everything.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Annie and her friends attack Nick in a parking structure, brutally beating him. They leave him for dead in the woods. Nick awakens in a liminal state - invisible, able to observe the world but unable to interact or be seen., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Nick discovers his physical body is still alive, hidden in the woods, but dying. The stakes crystallize: he's in a race against time. Meanwhile, Annie's guilt intensifies as she realizes Nick might actually be dead, and the false victory of "getting away with it" becomes a nightmare., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 76 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Annie is brutally beaten by Marcus, who also killed her friend. Nick witnesses her complete emotional breakdown - she's ready to give up entirely. This is the "whiff of death" for both characters: Nick's body is nearly gone, and Annie's spirit is broken., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Annie races to find Nick's body in the woods, following signs and her intuition. She finds him barely alive and calls for help. Nick fights to hold on to life. The police close in on Marcus. Annie faces consequences but achieves moral redemption. Nick is rushed to the hospital., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Invisible's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Invisible against these established plot points, we can identify how David S. Goyer utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Invisible within the fantasy genre.
David S. Goyer's Structural Approach
Among the 2 David S. Goyer films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Invisible represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete David S. Goyer filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional fantasy films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Conan the Barbarian and Batman Forever. For more David S. Goyer analyses, see The Unborn.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Nick Powell writes alone in his room, disconnected from his wealthy family and high school social life. His mother doesn't understand his passion for writing, and he feels emotionally invisible despite his privileged circumstances.
Theme
Nick's friend Pete comments on how people can be right in front of you but you don't really see them, foreshadowing the film's exploration of emotional and literal invisibility.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Nick's world: strained relationship with his controlling mother, friendship with Pete, acceptance to London writing program he's hiding from his mom. Parallel introduction of Annie Newton's troubled life - involved in jewelry store robbery, abusive relationship with Marcus, desperate circumstances.
Disruption
Pete is caught with the stolen jewelry and falsely tells police that Annie was involved, setting off a chain reaction. Annie believes Nick ratted her out, leading to the confrontation that will change everything.
Resistance
Tension escalates as Annie and her friends plan revenge on who they think betrayed them. Nick tries to navigate his last day before leaving for London, unaware of the danger approaching. The two storylines converge as Annie's rage builds.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Annie and her friends attack Nick in a parking structure, brutally beating him. They leave him for dead in the woods. Nick awakens in a liminal state - invisible, able to observe the world but unable to interact or be seen.
Mirror World
Nick discovers he can observe Annie's life and internal struggle. Despite being his attacker, she becomes his mirror - both are invisible in their own ways. She's unseen by those who should care about her, trapped by circumstances and an abusive boyfriend.
Premise
Nick explores his invisible state, trying desperately to communicate with the living. He follows the investigation, watches his mother's anguish, and increasingly focuses on Annie. He begins to understand her pain and desperation, seeing parallels to his own emotional invisibility in life.
Midpoint
Nick discovers his physical body is still alive, hidden in the woods, but dying. The stakes crystallize: he's in a race against time. Meanwhile, Annie's guilt intensifies as she realizes Nick might actually be dead, and the false victory of "getting away with it" becomes a nightmare.
Opposition
Pressure mounts from all sides: Nick's body deteriorates in the woods; the police investigation closes in; Annie's boyfriend Marcus becomes violent and controlling; Annie's conscience wars with her survival instinct. Nick desperately tries to lead someone to his body while also trying to protect Annie from Marcus.
Collapse
Annie is brutally beaten by Marcus, who also killed her friend. Nick witnesses her complete emotional breakdown - she's ready to give up entirely. This is the "whiff of death" for both characters: Nick's body is nearly gone, and Annie's spirit is broken.
Crisis
In parallel dark nights: Nick realizes he spent his life as emotionally invisible as he is now physically, never truly connecting with others. Annie sits in devastation, contemplating whether to confess or run. Both characters face the truth of who they've been.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Annie races to find Nick's body in the woods, following signs and her intuition. She finds him barely alive and calls for help. Nick fights to hold on to life. The police close in on Marcus. Annie faces consequences but achieves moral redemption. Nick is rushed to the hospital.