The Possession of Hannah Grace
When a cop who is just out of rehab takes the graveyard shift in a city hospital morgue, she faces a series of bizarre, violent events caused by an evil entity in one of the corpses.
Despite its limited budget of $9.5M, The Possession of Hannah Grace became a financial success, earning $43.0M worldwide—a 353% return. The film's compelling narrative connected with viewers, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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 Possession of Hannah Grace (2018) reveals precise story structure, characteristic of Diederik Van Rooijen's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 26 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Flashback: Hannah Grace's violent exorcism goes fatally wrong as her father kills her to stop the demon. Establishes the supernatural threat.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Hannah Grace's mutilated corpse arrives at the morgue during Megan's shift. The possessed body enters Megan's world.. 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 21 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Megan witnesses undeniable supernatural activity - the corpse moves or security footage shows impossible events. She actively chooses to investigate rather than flee or report it., moving from reaction to action.
At 43 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False defeat: Megan discovers the full truth about Hannah's possession and realizes the demon is actively hunting. The body fully reanimates or a major death occurs. Stakes escalate dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 65 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Megan's closest ally is killed by the possessed Hannah, or she's completely trapped with no escape. Her darkest moment where death seems inevitable and her sobriety/sanity is questioned., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 69 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Megan discovers how to defeat the demon - through fire, exorcism ritual, or destroying the body completely. She synthesizes her cop training with newfound spiritual knowledge. Decision to fight., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Possession of Hannah Grace'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 Possession of Hannah Grace against these established plot points, we can identify how Diederik Van Rooijen utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Possession of Hannah Grace within the horror genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Flashback: Hannah Grace's violent exorcism goes fatally wrong as her father kills her to stop the demon. Establishes the supernatural threat.
Theme
Megan's therapist or colleague mentions facing your demons and not running from the past - thematic statement about confronting trauma.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Megan Reed, former cop struggling with PTSD and addiction recovery. She takes a graveyard shift job at a hospital morgue to rebuild her life. Establishes her vulnerability and isolation.
Disruption
Hannah Grace's mutilated corpse arrives at the morgue during Megan's shift. The possessed body enters Megan's world.
Resistance
Megan processes the unusual corpse and begins noticing strange occurrences. She debates whether to trust her perceptions or if she's relapsing. Resistance to accepting the supernatural.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Megan witnesses undeniable supernatural activity - the corpse moves or security footage shows impossible events. She actively chooses to investigate rather than flee or report it.
Mirror World
Introduction of Andrew, Megan's ex-partner or friend who represents her connection to her former life and belief in her recovery. He embodies the theme of trust and redemption.
Premise
Cat-and-mouse horror sequences as Megan investigates Hannah's background while the possessed corpse becomes increasingly active, killing others who enter the morgue. Classic horror set-pieces deliver the genre promise.
Midpoint
False defeat: Megan discovers the full truth about Hannah's possession and realizes the demon is actively hunting. The body fully reanimates or a major death occurs. Stakes escalate dramatically.
Opposition
The demon grows stronger, targeting Megan directly. Her past trauma is weaponized against her. She's isolated as nobody believes her, echoing her addiction struggles. The morgue becomes a death trap.
Collapse
Megan's closest ally is killed by the possessed Hannah, or she's completely trapped with no escape. Her darkest moment where death seems inevitable and her sobriety/sanity is questioned.
Crisis
Megan processes the loss and confronts her inner demons. Dark night of the soul where she must choose between running (old pattern) or fighting (growth).
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Megan discovers how to defeat the demon - through fire, exorcism ritual, or destroying the body completely. She synthesizes her cop training with newfound spiritual knowledge. Decision to fight.
Synthesis
Final confrontation with possessed Hannah. Megan executes her plan, using the morgue environment and her skills to destroy the demon. Climactic battle showing her transformation from victim to warrior.
Transformation
Megan emerges victorious and alive, having literally and metaphorically faced her demons. Final image shows her stronger, sober, redeemed - contrast to the broken woman from the opening.