The Invisible Man
A mysterious man, whose head is completely covered in bandages, wants a room. The proprietors of the pub aren't used to making their house an inn during the winter months, but the man insists. They soon come to regret their decision. The man quickly runs out of money, and he has a violent temper besides. Worse still, he seems to be some kind of chemist and has filled his room with messy chemicals, test tubes, beakers and the like. When they try to throw him out, they make a ghastly discovery. Meanwhile, Flora Cranley appeals to her father to do something about the mysterious disappearance of Dr. Griffin, his assistant and her sweetheart. Her father's other assistant, the cowardly Dr. Kemp, is no help. He wants her for himself. Little does Flora guess that the wild tales, from newspapers and radio broadcasts, of an invisible homicidal maniac are stories of Dr. Griffin himself, who has discovered the secret of invisibility and gone mad in the process.
The film commercial failure against its microbudget of $328K, earning $27K globally (-92% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its compelling narrative within the horror genre.
4 wins & 2 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 Invisible Man (1933) demonstrates strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of James Whale's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 11 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes A mysterious bandaged stranger arrives at a country inn during a snowstorm, demanding a room and complete isolation. His wrapped face and aggressive manner immediately establish an unsettling presence.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 9 minutes when When confronted about unpaid bills, the stranger violently removes his bandages, revealing nothing underneath—he is invisible. He terrorizes the inn, throwing people out, and reveals his identity as Dr. Jack Griffin.. 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 18 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Griffin arrives at Dr. Kemp's house and forces him into partnership. He reveals his grandiose plan: to use his invisibility to terrorize the world, commit crimes, and establish a "reign of terror" that will make him master of the world., moving from reaction to action.
At 36 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Griffin murders Chief Detective Jaffers in broad daylight by throwing him off a cliff, demonstrating that he is completely untouchable and unstoppable. This false victory for Griffin marks his complete descent into megalomania and raises the stakes dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 54 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Griffin murders Dr. Kemp in a spectacular car chase, strangling him and sending the car off the road. This murder of his former friend represents the death of Griffin's last human connection and any possibility of redemption. He is completely alone and hunted., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 57 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. A farmer discovers Griffin sleeping in his barn when snow reveals footprints leading inside. The police are alerted, and they surround the barn. Griffin is forced from hiding when they set the barn on fire, making him visible through the falling snow., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Invisible Man's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Invisible Man against these established plot points, we can identify how James Whale 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 Man within the horror genre.
James Whale's Structural Approach
Among the 2 James Whale films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Invisible Man represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete James Whale filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye. For more James Whale analyses, see Frankenstein.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
A mysterious bandaged stranger arrives at a country inn during a snowstorm, demanding a room and complete isolation. His wrapped face and aggressive manner immediately establish an unsettling presence.
Theme
The innkeeper's wife remarks that "there's something uncanny about him," foreshadowing the theme of invisibility bringing out humanity's darker nature and the danger of power without accountability.
Worldbuilding
The stranger's bizarre behavior at the inn escalates. We learn he's conducting strange experiments with chemicals. The villagers grow suspicious and frightened. His refusal to show his face and violent outbursts establish him as dangerous and unhinged.
Disruption
When confronted about unpaid bills, the stranger violently removes his bandages, revealing nothing underneath—he is invisible. He terrorizes the inn, throwing people out, and reveals his identity as Dr. Jack Griffin.
Resistance
Griffin escapes into the countryside, causing chaos. Meanwhile, we meet Dr. Kemp, Griffin's former colleague, and Flora Cranley, Griffin's fiancée. They discuss Griffin's disappearance months ago and their concern for him. The police begin their manhunt.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Griffin arrives at Dr. Kemp's house and forces him into partnership. He reveals his grandiose plan: to use his invisibility to terrorize the world, commit crimes, and establish a "reign of terror" that will make him master of the world.
Mirror World
Flora Cranley represents the love and humanity Griffin has abandoned. Through conversations about Flora's devotion and grief, we see what Griffin has sacrificed—his connection to others and his moral compass—for power.
Premise
Griffin executes his reign of terror: he derails a train killing a hundred people, robs banks, and murders anyone who gets in his way. His invisible rampages showcase the film's premise—the horror and dark comedy of an invisible madman. The police are helpless against him.
Midpoint
Griffin murders Chief Detective Jaffers in broad daylight by throwing him off a cliff, demonstrating that he is completely untouchable and unstoppable. This false victory for Griffin marks his complete descent into megalomania and raises the stakes dramatically.
Opposition
Dr. Kemp betrays Griffin to the police, hoping to stop him. Griffin discovers the betrayal and vows revenge on Kemp. The authorities set traps using Kemp as bait. Flora pleads with Griffin to stop, but he's too far gone. Griffin's isolation and madness deepen as everyone turns against him.
Collapse
Griffin murders Dr. Kemp in a spectacular car chase, strangling him and sending the car off the road. This murder of his former friend represents the death of Griffin's last human connection and any possibility of redemption. He is completely alone and hunted.
Crisis
Griffin hides in a barn to sleep, exhausted and alone. The countryside is mobilized against him with police, dogs, and armed villagers. He has achieved power but lost everything else—love, friendship, sanity, and humanity. The drug has driven him completely mad.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
A farmer discovers Griffin sleeping in his barn when snow reveals footprints leading inside. The police are alerted, and they surround the barn. Griffin is forced from hiding when they set the barn on fire, making him visible through the falling snow.
Synthesis
The police shoot Griffin as he tries to escape through the snow. He is mortally wounded and carried to a hospital. As he dies, his body slowly becomes visible again. Flora arrives at his bedside for a final goodbye.
Transformation
Griffin dies, and his face becomes fully visible for the first time since the beginning. In death, he finally finds peace, his expression calm. The transformation is complete: the man who sought ultimate power through invisibility ends visible, powerless, and alone—a cautionary tale.