The Medium
A horrifying story of a shaman's inheritance in the Isan region of Thailand. What could be possessing a family member might not be the Goddess they make it out to be.
The film earned $7.2M at the global box office.
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 Medium (2021) exhibits meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Banjong Pisanthanakun's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 11 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Documentary crew introduces Nim, a traditional shaman in rural Thailand who inherited her role from her mother. She performs rituals and healing ceremonies for her community, living in harmony with the spirits.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Mink begins exhibiting strange behavior - speaking in tongues, having violent outbursts, and showing symptoms that suggest she may be the chosen vessel for the ancestral spirit her mother rejected years ago.. At 11% 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 32 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to After medical tests reveal nothing, Noi reluctantly agrees to let Nim perform a full shamanic ceremony to accept Mink as the new vessel. The family commits to the spiritual path, abandoning modern solutions., moving from reaction to action.
At 65 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat A major ritual appears to succeed - Mink seems calm and the spirit seemingly accepts her as a vessel. False victory: the family believes the crisis is over, but immediately after, Mink's behavior becomes even more violent and disturbing, revealing this was never Ba Yan., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 97 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Nim is brutally attacked by the possessed Mink during an exorcism attempt. Multiple people die, including crew members. Nim's spiritual power fails completely, and she realizes the entity is far beyond her ability to fight - her life's work means nothing against this evil., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 105 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Nim realizes she must sacrifice herself to end the curse. She understands that this entity cannot be exorcised - only transferred or contained through ultimate sacrifice. The remaining footage will serve as a warning., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Medium'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 Medium against these established plot points, we can identify how Banjong Pisanthanakun utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Medium within the drama genre.
Banjong Pisanthanakun's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Banjong Pisanthanakun films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Medium takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Banjong Pisanthanakun filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Banjong Pisanthanakun analyses, see Alone.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Documentary crew introduces Nim, a traditional shaman in rural Thailand who inherited her role from her mother. She performs rituals and healing ceremonies for her community, living in harmony with the spirits.
Theme
Nim explains to the camera that shamanic inheritance skips generations and requires acceptance. Her sister rejected the calling, and now Nim worries about who will carry on the tradition - hinting at the cost of refusing spiritual duty.
Worldbuilding
The documentary establishes Nim's family dynamics: her sister Noi rejected shamanism to marry a Christian, creating family tension. We meet Noi's daughter Mink, a young woman who seems normal. The film shows Nim's daily rituals, healing practices, and the rural community that depends on her.
Disruption
Mink begins exhibiting strange behavior - speaking in tongues, having violent outbursts, and showing symptoms that suggest she may be the chosen vessel for the ancestral spirit her mother rejected years ago.
Resistance
Nim attempts traditional healing rituals on Mink while the family debates what's happening. Noi insists it's a medical issue and takes Mink to doctors. The documentary crew captures escalating strange occurrences. Nim believes the goddess Ba Yan is claiming Mink, but something feels wrong.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
After medical tests reveal nothing, Noi reluctantly agrees to let Nim perform a full shamanic ceremony to accept Mink as the new vessel. The family commits to the spiritual path, abandoning modern solutions.
Mirror World
Introduction of other shamans and spiritual experts who begin to question whether the entity possessing Mink is actually the benevolent goddess Ba Yan or something malevolent. This subplot carries the theme of spiritual authenticity vs. deception.
Premise
The "found footage possession film" the audience came for - increasingly disturbing documented evidence of Mink's deterioration. Nim performs various rituals while the documentary crew captures supernatural phenomena: levitation, supernatural strength, speaking in unknown languages, and violent attacks.
Midpoint
A major ritual appears to succeed - Mink seems calm and the spirit seemingly accepts her as a vessel. False victory: the family believes the crisis is over, but immediately after, Mink's behavior becomes even more violent and disturbing, revealing this was never Ba Yan.
Opposition
The entity grows stronger, attacking family members and the documentary crew. Nim consults with other shamans who reveal dark truths about curses and malevolent spirits. Evidence emerges of a curse placed on the family bloodline. Mink becomes increasingly inhuman.
Collapse
Nim is brutally attacked by the possessed Mink during an exorcism attempt. Multiple people die, including crew members. Nim's spiritual power fails completely, and she realizes the entity is far beyond her ability to fight - her life's work means nothing against this evil.
Crisis
Nim, wounded and broken, confronts the true horror: the curse stems from her own sister's rejection of the spiritual calling. By refusing her duty, Noi invited something demonic to claim the next generation. The family's Christian conversion was seen as betrayal by dark forces.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Nim realizes she must sacrifice herself to end the curse. She understands that this entity cannot be exorcised - only transferred or contained through ultimate sacrifice. The remaining footage will serve as a warning.
Synthesis
The final confrontation documented by surviving camera equipment. Nim performs a desperate ritual while the possessed Mink unleashes complete chaos. The footage becomes increasingly fragmented and disturbing as the documentary crew is decimated. The entity reveals its true horrific form.
Transformation
Final recovered footage shows the aftermath: bodies, destruction, and evidence that the evil has won. The documentary that began as a celebration of traditional healing ends as a record of complete spiritual failure and demonic triumph - a tragic inversion of the opening image.