The Morning After
Failed actress Alex Sternbergen wakes up hungover one morning in an apartment she does not recognize, unable to remember the previous evening -- and with a dead body in bed next to her. As she tries to piece together the events of the night, Alex cannot totally rely on friends or her estranged husband, Joaquin, for assistance. Only a single ally, loner ex-policeman Turner Kendall, can help her escape her predicament and find the true killer.
The film earned $25.1M 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 Morning After (1986) showcases deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Sidney Lumet's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Alex Sternbergen, a washed-up alcoholic actress, wakes up disheveled in a strange apartment after another blackout, establishing her rock-bottom existence and self-destructive lifestyle.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Alex discovers the man in bed with her has been stabbed to death with a knife, and she has no memory of the previous night—she's either a murderer or being framed, and her blackout makes the truth unknowable.. 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 reveals the protagonist's commitment to Alex actively chooses to run and investigate on her own rather than go to the police, making the decision to enter the mystery world where she must solve this herself while evading detection., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Alex discovers evidence suggesting her ex-husband Joaquin may be involved in the murder or the frame-up, and the stakes shift—it's not just about her innocence but about who she can trust in her inner circle., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Alex is cornered and nearly killed by the real murderer, or she discovers the devastating truth about who set her up. Her fragile sobriety and her trust in others are shattered—she faces literal and metaphorical death., reveals 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 81% of the runtime. Alex confronts the real killer, using evidence and her wits to expose the truth. With Turner's help, she clears her name and ensures justice, demonstrating her transformation from helpless victim to empowered survivor., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Morning After's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Morning After against these established plot points, we can identify how Sidney Lumet utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Morning After within the thriller genre.
Sidney Lumet's Structural Approach
Among the 15 Sidney Lumet films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Morning After represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Sidney Lumet filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional thriller films include Eye for an Eye, Lake Placid and Operation Finale. For more Sidney Lumet analyses, see Guilty as Sin, Dog Day Afternoon and Murder on the Orient Express.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Alex Sternbergen, a washed-up alcoholic actress, wakes up disheveled in a strange apartment after another blackout, establishing her rock-bottom existence and self-destructive lifestyle.
Theme
Early dialogue about trust and taking responsibility for one's choices hints at the film's thematic core: redemption requires facing the truth, even when it's terrifying.
Worldbuilding
Establishes Alex's world: her failed career, estranged relationship with ex-husband Joaquin, her denial about her drinking problem, and the Los Angeles setting where she's become invisible and disposable.
Disruption
Alex discovers the man in bed with her has been stabbed to death with a knife, and she has no memory of the previous night—she's either a murderer or being framed, and her blackout makes the truth unknowable.
Resistance
Alex panics and debates what to do: call the police, flee, or investigate. She cleans up evidence in her confusion, making herself look guilty. She seeks help from Joaquin but can't bring herself to tell him the truth.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Alex actively chooses to run and investigate on her own rather than go to the police, making the decision to enter the mystery world where she must solve this herself while evading detection.
Premise
Alex and Turner investigate the murder together, following leads about the victim's identity, piecing together clues from her blackout, and developing an unlikely bond as they navigate the dangerous mystery.
Midpoint
Alex discovers evidence suggesting her ex-husband Joaquin may be involved in the murder or the frame-up, and the stakes shift—it's not just about her innocence but about who she can trust in her inner circle.
Opposition
The police close in on Alex as the prime suspect. Her relationship with Turner deepens but becomes strained by secrets. The conspiracy becomes clearer but more dangerous, and her past alcoholic behavior makes everyone doubt her version of events.
Collapse
Alex is cornered and nearly killed by the real murderer, or she discovers the devastating truth about who set her up. Her fragile sobriety and her trust in others are shattered—she faces literal and metaphorical death.
Crisis
In her darkest moment, Alex must confront whether she can trust herself and others. She processes the betrayal and loss, questioning if redemption is even possible for someone like her.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Alex confronts the real killer, using evidence and her wits to expose the truth. With Turner's help, she clears her name and ensures justice, demonstrating her transformation from helpless victim to empowered survivor.