The Opposite of Sex
A 16-year-old girl visits her gay half-brother and ends up seducing his boyfriend, thus wreaking havoc on all of their lives.
Working with a small-scale budget of $5.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $5.9M in global revenue (+18% profit margin).
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 Opposite of Sex (1998) exhibits precise plot construction, characteristic of Don Roos's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 45 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Dedee's cynical voiceover introduces us to her world at her stepfather's funeral. She establishes herself as an unreliable, selfish narrator who sees everyone as stupid and herself as smarter than them all.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Dedee seduces Bill's boyfriend Matt and they run away together, stealing Bill's money. This betrayal shatters Bill's stable life and sets the story in motion.. 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 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Bill and Lucia commit to tracking down Dedee and Matt to force them to return and clear up the molestation accusation. They cross into active pursuit mode, entering Dedee's chaotic world., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat The truth about the pregnancy is revealed: Dedee may actually be pregnant, raising the stakes significantly. What started as a selfish game now has real consequences. Additionally, the molestation accusation intensifies, threatening to destroy Bill's life., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 78 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Jason commits suicide, a literal death that represents the consequences of lies and manipulation. This event shocks everyone and forces Dedee to confront the real damage her selfishness causes. The "whiff of death" permeates the narrative., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 83 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. The finale resolves the threads: Dedee returns to make amends (in her limited way), the truth about the molestation accusation comes out, relationships reconfigure. Matt and Bill part ways. Lucia and Bill's friendship solidifies. Dedee gives birth and makes adult decisions about her future., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Opposite of Sex'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 Opposite of Sex against these established plot points, we can identify how Don Roos utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Opposite of Sex within the comedy genre.
Don Roos's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Don Roos films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Opposite of Sex takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Don Roos filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Don Roos analyses, see Bounce.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Dedee's cynical voiceover introduces us to her world at her stepfather's funeral. She establishes herself as an unreliable, selfish narrator who sees everyone as stupid and herself as smarter than them all.
Theme
Bill speaks about honesty and authenticity in relationships with his boyfriend Matt, establishing the thematic tension between genuine connection and manipulation that will drive the story.
Worldbuilding
Dedee arrives at her gay half-brother Bill's comfortable life in Indiana. We see Bill's world: his loving relationship with boyfriend Matt, his grief over his dead lover Tom, his friendship with uptight Lucia, and his work as a teacher. Dedee immediately begins to disrupt everything.
Disruption
Dedee seduces Bill's boyfriend Matt and they run away together, stealing Bill's money. This betrayal shatters Bill's stable life and sets the story in motion.
Resistance
Bill and Lucia debate what to do about the situation. Complications arise when Matt's ex-student Jason claims Matt molested him. Bill must decide whether to pursue Dedee and Matt or deal with the false accusations threatening his brother's reputation.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Bill and Lucia commit to tracking down Dedee and Matt to force them to return and clear up the molestation accusation. They cross into active pursuit mode, entering Dedee's chaotic world.
Mirror World
Lucia's relationship with Bill deepens as they work together. Her rigid, controlling nature contrasts with Bill's gentle openness, but she represents an alternative to romantic love—loyal friendship and brutal honesty.
Premise
The dark comedy premise plays out: Dedee manipulates Matt, claims to be pregnant with his child, and continues her selfish schemes. Bill and Lucia investigate while dealing with the molestation accusation. Dedee's voiceover provides cynical commentary on everyone's stupidity.
Midpoint
The truth about the pregnancy is revealed: Dedee may actually be pregnant, raising the stakes significantly. What started as a selfish game now has real consequences. Additionally, the molestation accusation intensifies, threatening to destroy Bill's life.
Opposition
Everything tightens around the characters. Jason's false accusation gains traction. Dedee's manipulations become more desperate as she realizes she's losing control. Matt begins to see through her. Bill faces potential ruin of his career and reputation.
Collapse
Jason commits suicide, a literal death that represents the consequences of lies and manipulation. This event shocks everyone and forces Dedee to confront the real damage her selfishness causes. The "whiff of death" permeates the narrative.
Crisis
In the aftermath of Jason's death, characters process their guilt and grief. Dedee's cynical armor begins to crack. Bill confronts the cost of always being kind and accommodating. The group faces their darkest moment of self-examination.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale resolves the threads: Dedee returns to make amends (in her limited way), the truth about the molestation accusation comes out, relationships reconfigure. Matt and Bill part ways. Lucia and Bill's friendship solidifies. Dedee gives birth and makes adult decisions about her future.