The Joneses
Australian reality TV series that follows the daily lives of the Jones family on a Coolibah Cattle Station, 600 km south-west of Darwin, Northern Territory. They muster cattle, fight fires, battle floods and even wrestle crocodiles.
The film underperformed commercially against its limited budget of $10.0M, earning $7.0M globally (-30% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its fresh perspective within the reality-tv 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 Joneses (2010) reveals strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Derrick Borte's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 36 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 The perfect Jones family arrives in their luxury cars at their beautiful new home in an upscale gated community, appearing as the ideal American family that everyone will want to emulate.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Steve struggles with his first "family" sales meeting where KC coldly reviews performance metrics and sales targets. He realizes this assignment is far more emotionally complex than his previous corporate sales job - he must fake intimacy, not just sell products.. 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 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Steve makes his first major sale by exploiting Larry's insecurities, getting him to buy an expensive golf club set. He crosses the moral threshold by actively manipulating a genuine friendship for profit. He's now fully committed to the con., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False victory: The Jones unit hits record sales numbers and receives corporate praise. Steve is promoted to potential icon status. They celebrate their success, but cracks appear - Jenn's ethical struggles with seducing married men, Mick's hidden sexuality, Steve's growing feelings for KC. The stakes raise: corporate wants them to push harder., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 71 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Larry Symonds commits suicide, driving his luxury car (bought to impress the Joneses) into a rock wall. The "whiff of death" is literal. Steve discovers his friend dead, the direct result of the financial and emotional ruin caused by trying to keep up with the fake Jones lifestyle. Steve's world collapses., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Steve breaks. He decides he cannot continue living the lie. In front of the community, he reveals the truth: the Joneses are not a real family but paid marketers who manipulated everyone. He synthesizes his sales skills (Act 1 identity) with his rediscovered humanity (learned through the fake family). He chooses truth over profit., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Joneses'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 Joneses against these established plot points, we can identify how Derrick Borte utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Joneses within the reality-tv genre.
Derrick Borte's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Derrick Borte films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Joneses exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Derrick Borte filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional reality-tv films include Terrace House: Closing Door, Beginners and Welcome Aboard. For more Derrick Borte analyses, see Unhinged.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The perfect Jones family arrives in their luxury cars at their beautiful new home in an upscale gated community, appearing as the ideal American family that everyone will want to emulate.
Theme
KC (Kate, the "wife") tells Steve during their first night: "We're not a family, we're a unit." This establishes the central thematic question: What is real vs. what is performance? Can authentic connection exist within manufactured relationships?
Worldbuilding
The Jones "family" settles into the neighborhood. We learn they are professional stealth marketers - not a real family but hired salespeople posing as one. Steve is the new "dad," joining veteran operator KC and teenage "kids" Jenn and Mick. They seduce neighbors into buying luxury products through aspiration and envy.
Disruption
Steve struggles with his first "family" sales meeting where KC coldly reviews performance metrics and sales targets. He realizes this assignment is far more emotionally complex than his previous corporate sales job - he must fake intimacy, not just sell products.
Resistance
Steve learns the rules of stealth marketing from KC while befriending neighbor Larry Symonds. He debates whether he can really live this lie. KC coaches him on manipulation tactics. Steve sees how Jenn and Mick expertly work their school peers. He's not yet committed to the emotional deception required.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Steve makes his first major sale by exploiting Larry's insecurities, getting him to buy an expensive golf club set. He crosses the moral threshold by actively manipulating a genuine friendship for profit. He's now fully committed to the con.
Mirror World
Steve and KC share a private moment where he sees glimpses of her real personality beneath the performance. Their fake marriage becomes the mirror world relationship that will force Steve to confront the cost of living a lie. Real feelings begin to develop in a fake relationship.
Premise
The "promise of the premise" - watching the Joneses expertly seduce the entire community. Sales skyrocket. Steve becomes increasingly skilled at manipulation. NeighborsMax out credit cards to keep up. Larry and Summer go into debt. The dark satire of consumer culture plays out as the Joneses become the most popular family in town.
Midpoint
False victory: The Jones unit hits record sales numbers and receives corporate praise. Steve is promoted to potential icon status. They celebrate their success, but cracks appear - Jenn's ethical struggles with seducing married men, Mick's hidden sexuality, Steve's growing feelings for KC. The stakes raise: corporate wants them to push harder.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies as Steve's conscience battles his success. Larry and other neighbors sink deeper into debt trying to maintain appearances. KC remains cold and professional, rejecting Steve's emotional advances. Jenn's tactics become more morally questionable. The community's financial desperation grows while the Joneses thrive. Steve's divided between his feelings for KC and what he's doing to Larry.
Collapse
Larry Symonds commits suicide, driving his luxury car (bought to impress the Joneses) into a rock wall. The "whiff of death" is literal. Steve discovers his friend dead, the direct result of the financial and emotional ruin caused by trying to keep up with the fake Jones lifestyle. Steve's world collapses.
Crisis
Steve spirals in grief and guilt. He confronts the moral emptiness of what they've done. KC and the company expect him to continue as if nothing happened. Steve sits with the weight of Larry's death, realizing he's destroyed real lives for fake relationships and material success. Dark night of the soul.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Steve breaks. He decides he cannot continue living the lie. In front of the community, he reveals the truth: the Joneses are not a real family but paid marketers who manipulated everyone. He synthesizes his sales skills (Act 1 identity) with his rediscovered humanity (learned through the fake family). He chooses truth over profit.
Synthesis
The finale. The community reacts with shock and betrayal. The Jones unit dissolves - corporate pulls them out. Jenn and Mick are freed from their roles. KC faces the emptiness of her commitment to the lie. Steve leaves everything behind, walking away from the wealth and success. KC must choose between the company and the first real connection she's felt.
Transformation
Steve drives away alone, having lost everything material but regained his integrity. KC appears - she's chosen authenticity over performance, joining him. The closing image mirrors the opening: two people in a car, but now it's real connection instead of manufactured perfection. Transformation from fake family to genuine relationship.