The Post
When American military analyst, Daniel Ellsberg, realizes to his disgust the depths of the US government's deceptions about the futility of the Vietnam War, he takes action by copying top-secret documents that would become the Pentagon Papers. Later, Washington Post owner, Kay Graham, is still adjusting to taking over her late husband's business when editor Ben Bradlee discovers the New York Times has scooped them with an explosive expose on those papers. Determined to compete, Post reporters find Ellsberg himself and a complete copy of those papers. However, the Post's plans to publish their findings are put in jeopardy with a Federal restraining order that could get them all indicted for Contempt. Now, Kay Graham must decide whether to back down for the safety of her paper or publish and fight for the Freedom of the Press. In doing so, Graham and her staff join a fight that would have America's democratic ideals in the balance.
Despite a respectable budget of $50.0M, The Post became a financial success, earning $179.8M worldwide—a 260% return.
Nominated for 2 Oscars. 21 wins & 116 nominations
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 Post (2017) exemplifies meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Steven Spielberg's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 10-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 56 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 4.6, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Kay Graham presides over a posh Georgetown party, appearing gracious but uncertain. She's the publisher of The Washington Post but defers to men around her, reading prepared remarks about her late husband. Her insecurity and people-pleasing nature are evident - she needs male approval to feel legitimate in her inherited role.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when The New York Times publishes the first story about the Pentagon Papers - a classified study revealing the government systematically lied about Vietnam for decades. Bradlee and his team are blindsided and humiliated. The Post has been scooped on the biggest story in years. This disrupts their status quo: they can no longer pretend they're in the same league as the Times.. At 10% 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 Collapse moment at 75 minutes (65% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Kay sits alone with the phone in her hand, paralyzed by fear. The metaphorical "death" is the death of her old self - the accommodating, approval-seeking woman who let men make decisions for her. She must kill that version of herself to become the leader the moment demands. Ben Bradlee has made his case and left the decision to her. The lawyers have terrified her. She is utterly alone with the weight of the choice that will define her life and the newspaper's legacy., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 69% of the runtime. The Post publishes. The presses roll. Nixon's administration retaliates, threatening prosecution. The case goes to the Supreme Court alongside the Times. Kay waits on the courthouse steps with Ben, surrounded by supporters and protesters. The Court rules 6-3 in favor of the newspapers - a landmark First Amendment victory. The decision vindicates Kay's courage and establishes that the press can hold the government accountable. The Post has arrived as a major newspaper, and Kay has arrived as a legitimate leader., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Post's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 10 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Post against these established plot points, we can identify how Steven Spielberg utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Post within the biography genre.
Steven Spielberg's Structural Approach
Among the 33 Steven Spielberg films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 5.8, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. The Post takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Steven Spielberg filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional biography films include Lords of Dogtown, Ip Man 2 and A Complete Unknown. For more Steven Spielberg analyses, see E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, 1941 and West Side Story.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kay Graham presides over a posh Georgetown party, appearing gracious but uncertain. She's the publisher of The Washington Post but defers to men around her, reading prepared remarks about her late husband. Her insecurity and people-pleasing nature are evident - she needs male approval to feel legitimate in her inherited role.
Theme
Fritz Beebe, the Post's chairman, tells Kay: "It's not enough to have the Constitution on your side - you need the guts to defend it." This encapsulates the film's central question: Will Kay find the courage to risk everything to publish the truth, or will she remain in the safe, deferential role society expects of her?
Worldbuilding
The setup establishes two parallel worlds: Kay Graham's world of Georgetown elites, board meetings, and social obligations where she's treated as a figurehead; and Ben Bradlee's newsroom at the Post, scrappy and competitive, desperate to compete with The New York Times. The Post is going public, making financial stability paramount. Kay is close to Defense Secretary McNamara, hosting him at parties - a friendship that will be tested.
Disruption
The New York Times publishes the first story about the Pentagon Papers - a classified study revealing the government systematically lied about Vietnam for decades. Bradlee and his team are blindsided and humiliated. The Post has been scooped on the biggest story in years. This disrupts their status quo: they can no longer pretend they're in the same league as the Times.
Resistance
The Post scrambles to catch up, debating how to match the Times story. Ben Bradlee debates with Kay about resources and strategy. Kay is simultaneously managing the stock offering, terrified of spooking investors. When Nixon's DOJ gets an injunction stopping the Times from publishing more Pentagon Papers stories, the question becomes: should the Post pick up where the Times left off? The risk is enormous - possible prosecution, prison, financial ruin.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The "promise of the premise" - journalists doing urgent, important work under pressure. Reporters and editors sort through thousands of pages in Ben Bradlee's living room, racing to write stories before the government can stop them. The excitement of investigative journalism, the camaraderie, the democratic ideals. Kay observes but doesn't yet participate. Meanwhile, pressure mounts from the board, lawyers, and bankers who want her to kill the story.
Opposition
The pressure intensifies from all sides. The board members, bankers, and lawyers aggressively argue against publishing - they'll be criminally liable, financially ruined. Fritz Beebe reminds Kay that she has a responsibility to shareholders. Kay's friendship with McNamara becomes a liability - publishing will betray him personally. Ben Bradlee makes the moral case for publishing but can't make the decision for her. Kay is paralyzed, torn between competing loyalties: duty to country, friendship, financial responsibility, and journalistic principle.
Collapse
Kay sits alone with the phone in her hand, paralyzed by fear. The metaphorical "death" is the death of her old self - the accommodating, approval-seeking woman who let men make decisions for her. She must kill that version of herself to become the leader the moment demands. Ben Bradlee has made his case and left the decision to her. The lawyers have terrified her. She is utterly alone with the weight of the choice that will define her life and the newspaper's legacy.
Crisis
Kay sits in the darkness of her home, processing the enormity of the decision. She reflects on her life - her father's newspaper, her husband's suicide, the men who never took her seriously. She pages through the Pentagon Papers, reading the lies that sent young men to die. She looks at photos of her family. This is her dark night of the soul, where she must find within herself the conviction to act.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The Post publishes. The presses roll. Nixon's administration retaliates, threatening prosecution. The case goes to the Supreme Court alongside the Times. Kay waits on the courthouse steps with Ben, surrounded by supporters and protesters. The Court rules 6-3 in favor of the newspapers - a landmark First Amendment victory. The decision vindicates Kay's courage and establishes that the press can hold the government accountable. The Post has arrived as a major newspaper, and Kay has arrived as a legitimate leader.