The Past
After four years apart, Ahmad returns to his wife Marie in Paris in order to progress their divorce. During his brief stay, he cannot help noticing the strained relationship between Marie and her daughter Lucie. As he attempts to improve matters between mother and daughter Ahmad unwittingly lifts the lid on a long buried secret...
The film disappointed at the box office against its small-scale budget of $11.0M, earning $10.6M globally (-3% loss).
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 Past (2013) demonstrates precise story structure, characteristic of Asghar Farhadi's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 10 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ahmad arrives at Paris airport. Marie picks him up behind the glass partition, establishing their separated status and the communication barriers that define their relationship.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Lucie's hostility toward Samir erupts. Ahmad learns that Lucie blames Samir for his wife's suicide attempt, creating the central mystery and conflict that will drive the narrative.. 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 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Ahmad actively decides to investigate what really happened with Samir's wife. Rather than simply signing papers and leaving, he chooses to enter the complicated web of this family's secrets., moving from reaction to action.
At 66 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Ahmad discovers critical information: Lucie saw something the day of the suicide attempt. The stakes raise dramatically as it becomes clear that a child may hold the key to understanding what happened, and the truth may be darker than anyone admits., 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, The devastating truth emerges: Lucie revealed Marie and Samir's affair to Samir's wife, which precipitated the suicide attempt. The revelation shatters the family, with guilt spreading to multiple parties, especially the child., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 104 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Ahmad realizes that absolute truth is impossible and perhaps not even helpful. He recognizes that everyone—including himself—carries responsibility for the past, and that his search for clarity has only revealed more complexity., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Past's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Past against these established plot points, we can identify how Asghar Farhadi utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Past within the drama genre.
Asghar Farhadi's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Asghar Farhadi films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.3, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Past represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Asghar Farhadi filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Asghar Farhadi analyses, see Everybody Knows, The Salesman and A Separation.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ahmad arrives at Paris airport. Marie picks him up behind the glass partition, establishing their separated status and the communication barriers that define their relationship.
Theme
Marie mentions that the past cannot be escaped, that everything is connected. This establishes the film's central theme: the inescapability of the past and how unresolved issues haunt the present.
Worldbuilding
Ahmad settles into Marie's house, meeting her daughters and learning about her relationship with Samir. The complex family dynamics are established: Marie's troubled teenage daughter Lucie, young Léa, and the tension surrounding Samir's comatose wife.
Disruption
Lucie's hostility toward Samir erupts. Ahmad learns that Lucie blames Samir for his wife's suicide attempt, creating the central mystery and conflict that will drive the narrative.
Resistance
Ahmad hesitates to get involved but is pulled into investigating the truth. He talks with Lucie, learning her perspective. Marie pressures him to sign divorce papers, but Ahmad becomes reluctant to leave without understanding what happened.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ahmad actively decides to investigate what really happened with Samir's wife. Rather than simply signing papers and leaving, he chooses to enter the complicated web of this family's secrets.
Mirror World
Ahmad visits Samir's comatose wife in the hospital. This parallel relationship (Samir/wife vs Ahmad/Marie) mirrors the theme: both men dealing with impossible-to-end marriages and the guilt of moving forward.
Premise
Ahmad plays detective and mediator, uncovering layers of the family's secrets. He talks to Lucie, Samir, Marie, and even Samir's son Fouad. Each conversation reveals conflicting truths about the day of the suicide attempt.
Midpoint
Ahmad discovers critical information: Lucie saw something the day of the suicide attempt. The stakes raise dramatically as it becomes clear that a child may hold the key to understanding what happened, and the truth may be darker than anyone admits.
Opposition
Marie and Samir resist Ahmad's investigation. Tensions escalate as Ahmad gets closer to the truth. Lucie's emotional state deteriorates. Samir becomes defensive. Marie accuses Ahmad of interfering and demands he leave.
Collapse
The devastating truth emerges: Lucie revealed Marie and Samir's affair to Samir's wife, which precipitated the suicide attempt. The revelation shatters the family, with guilt spreading to multiple parties, especially the child.
Crisis
The family processes the terrible truth. Blame and guilt circulate. Marie and Samir's relationship is strained to breaking. Lucie is devastated by the weight of her role. Ahmad contemplates what he has uncovered and what it means.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Ahmad realizes that absolute truth is impossible and perhaps not even helpful. He recognizes that everyone—including himself—carries responsibility for the past, and that his search for clarity has only revealed more complexity.
Synthesis
Ahmad attempts to facilitate healing and reconciliation within the family. He helps Marie understand Lucie, encourages honesty between Marie and Samir, and prepares to leave. The family must decide how to move forward with this knowledge.
Transformation
Ahmad departs, his divorce still not finalized. The family remains in crisis, but with slightly more understanding. The final image shows the characters separated, emphasizing that the past cannot be neatly resolved—only accepted and lived with.