The Raven
A fictionalized account of the last days of Edgar Allan Poe's life, in which the poet is in pursuit of a serial killer whose murders mirror those in the writer's stories.
Working with a moderate budget of $26.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $29.7M in global revenue (+14% 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 Raven (2012) exhibits deliberately positioned dramatic framework, characteristic of James McTeigue's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 51 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Poe is a washed-up alcoholic writer in 1849 Baltimore, broke and desperate, trying to get free drinks at a tavern. His glory days are behind him and he's reduced to begging editors to publish his work.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when A brutal double murder is discovered - a mother and daughter killed in a locked room. Detective Fields recognizes the crime scene matches Poe's story "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" exactly. A serial killer is using Poe's tales as blueprints for murder.. 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Emily Hamilton is kidnapped at a masquerade ball during a recreation of "The Masque of the Red Death." Poe finds her blood-stained clothing and a note from the killer: help solve the murders and write about it, or Emily dies. Poe fully commits to the hunt., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 84 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All is lost: They realize the killer is literary rival Henry Maddox, but he commits suicide before revealing Emily's location. Captain Hamilton is dead. Emily has only hours of air left. Poe has no clues and no hope of finding her in time. The "death" of hope and the imminent literal death of Emily., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 89 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The finale: Poe and Fields race to the location - a cemetery where Emily is buried alive in a coffin. They dig frantically and rescue her with seconds of air remaining. However, Poe has been poisoned by Maddox during their last encounter. Poe uses his final moments to ensure Emily lives and sees justice done., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Raven'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 Raven against these established plot points, we can identify how James McTeigue utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Raven within the crime genre.
James McTeigue's Structural Approach
Among the 4 James McTeigue films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.1, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Raven represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete James McTeigue filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more James McTeigue analyses, see V for Vendetta, Ninja Assassin and Breaking In.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Poe is a washed-up alcoholic writer in 1849 Baltimore, broke and desperate, trying to get free drinks at a tavern. His glory days are behind him and he's reduced to begging editors to publish his work.
Theme
Detective Fields questions whether Poe's dark stories inspire real evil: "Your stories are morbid and distasteful. Did you ever think they might inspire someone to do terrible things?" This establishes the central question about art's responsibility.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to 1849 Baltimore, Poe's failed literary career, his contentious relationship with newspaper editor Henry Maddox, and his secret romance with Emily Hamilton whose father Captain Hamilton disapproves of the match. Poe is established as brilliant but self-destructive.
Disruption
A brutal double murder is discovered - a mother and daughter killed in a locked room. Detective Fields recognizes the crime scene matches Poe's story "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" exactly. A serial killer is using Poe's tales as blueprints for murder.
Resistance
Fields brings Poe in for questioning as a suspect, then as a consultant. Poe initially resists involvement, but another murder occurs matching "The Mystery of Marie Rogêt." Poe debates whether to help, fearing his work has inspired evil. The killer is clearly targeting him personally.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Emily Hamilton is kidnapped at a masquerade ball during a recreation of "The Masque of the Red Death." Poe finds her blood-stained clothing and a note from the killer: help solve the murders and write about it, or Emily dies. Poe fully commits to the hunt.
Mirror World
Poe and Fields form an unlikely partnership. Fields represents order and justice; Poe represents chaos and creativity. Their developing mutual respect mirrors the theme - they need both logic and imagination to catch the killer. Fields becomes the voice of reason to Poe's passion.
Premise
The "fun and games" of a literary detective story: Poe and Fields race to decipher clues hidden in Poe's own works, investigating suspects from Poe's past, following breadcrumbs through literary puzzles. Poe writes serial articles about the hunt as demanded, each revealing new clues. The game of cat and mouse with the killer.
Opposition
Reynolds is revealed as a red herring. More murders occur following "The Pit and the Pendulum." Time is running out for Emily who is running out of air in her buried prison. Every lead turns cold. Captain Hamilton dies trying to help. Poe's own weaknesses - drinking, ego - hinder the investigation. The killer tightens the noose.
Collapse
All is lost: They realize the killer is literary rival Henry Maddox, but he commits suicide before revealing Emily's location. Captain Hamilton is dead. Emily has only hours of air left. Poe has no clues and no hope of finding her in time. The "death" of hope and the imminent literal death of Emily.
Crisis
Poe descends into despair and rage. He reviews everything - all the clues, all his stories, all Maddox's words. The dark night where Poe must face that his own creations have caused Emily's death. He contemplates that perhaps his critics were right about his work inspiring evil.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale: Poe and Fields race to the location - a cemetery where Emily is buried alive in a coffin. They dig frantically and rescue her with seconds of air remaining. However, Poe has been poisoned by Maddox during their last encounter. Poe uses his final moments to ensure Emily lives and sees justice done.
Transformation
Poe dies on a park bench, found delirious days later (matching his real historical death). His final words cryptic. Emily survives to remember him. The closing image mirrors the opening: Poe alone, but transformed from a forgotten drunk into a tragic hero who sacrificed himself for love. His art was deadly, but so was his redemption.