The Sense of an Ending
A man becomes haunted by his past and is presented with a mysterious legacy that causes him to re-think his current situation in life.
The film earned $5.1M at the global box office.
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 Sense of an Ending (2017) exemplifies precise narrative design, characteristic of Ritesh Batra's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Tony Webster runs his small camera shop, living a routine, emotionally detached life. He is divorced, maintains cordial relations with his ex-wife Margaret and pregnant daughter Susie, but keeps everyone at arm's length.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Tony receives a letter from a solicitor informing him that Veronica's mother, Sarah Ford, has died and left him £500 and something else in her will—Adrian's diary from 40 years ago.. 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Tony decides to actively search for Veronica to retrieve Adrian's diary. He tracks her down and confronts her, choosing to re-enter a past he has long avoided and opening himself to painful truths., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Tony discovers a letter he wrote to Adrian and Veronica decades ago—a cruel, vicious message he had completely forgotten. He realizes he may not be the victim in this story, but rather complicit in something terrible. The stakes shift from seeking answers to fearing them., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 81 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Tony learns the devastating truth: the disabled Adrian is not Veronica's brother but her son—fathered by his friend Adrian after an affair with Veronica's mother Sarah. Adrian's suicide and the destruction of multiple lives trace back to Tony's poisonous letter., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Tony realizes he cannot undo the past but can choose how to respond now. He decides to apologize to Veronica, acknowledging his role in the tragedy without excuses or self-justification—accepting responsibility for the first time in his life., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Sense of an Ending's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Sense of an Ending against these established plot points, we can identify how Ritesh Batra utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Sense of an Ending within the mystery genre.
Ritesh Batra's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Ritesh Batra films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Sense of an Ending exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Ritesh Batra filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional mystery films include Oblivion, From Darkness and American Gigolo. For more Ritesh Batra analyses, see The Lunchbox.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Tony Webster runs his small camera shop, living a routine, emotionally detached life. He is divorced, maintains cordial relations with his ex-wife Margaret and pregnant daughter Susie, but keeps everyone at arm's length.
Theme
Margaret tells Tony, "You just don't get it, do you?" hinting at his lifelong inability to understand the consequences of his actions and the true nature of his past relationships.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Tony's comfortable but emotionally empty existence. Flashbacks introduce his youth: friendships with Alex and Adrian at school, meeting Veronica Ford, and the intellectual intensity of his university days. We see Tony as cautious and self-protective.
Disruption
Tony receives a letter from a solicitor informing him that Veronica's mother, Sarah Ford, has died and left him £500 and something else in her will—Adrian's diary from 40 years ago.
Resistance
Tony debates whether to pursue the diary. He attempts to contact Veronica through the solicitor. Flashbacks reveal the painful breakup with Veronica and how she later dated his brilliant friend Adrian. Tony resists confronting his past but curiosity grows.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Tony decides to actively search for Veronica to retrieve Adrian's diary. He tracks her down and confronts her, choosing to re-enter a past he has long avoided and opening himself to painful truths.
Mirror World
Tony reconnects with his ex-wife Margaret, who becomes his confidante throughout the investigation. She represents honesty and emotional availability—everything Tony has avoided—and challenges him to face uncomfortable truths.
Premise
Tony pursues Veronica through London, having cryptic encounters with her. He follows her to discover she cares for a mentally disabled man named Adrian. Tony investigates his past, re-reading old letters, trying to understand what really happened 40 years ago.
Midpoint
Tony discovers a letter he wrote to Adrian and Veronica decades ago—a cruel, vicious message he had completely forgotten. He realizes he may not be the victim in this story, but rather complicit in something terrible. The stakes shift from seeking answers to fearing them.
Opposition
Veronica refuses to explain, leaving Tony fragmented clues. Tony's investigation intensifies, but so does his anxiety. Flashbacks reveal more context: the weekend with Veronica's family, her mother's unusual attention to him, Adrian's suicide. Tony's carefully constructed self-image crumbles.
Collapse
Tony learns the devastating truth: the disabled Adrian is not Veronica's brother but her son—fathered by his friend Adrian after an affair with Veronica's mother Sarah. Adrian's suicide and the destruction of multiple lives trace back to Tony's poisonous letter.
Crisis
Tony sits alone in his shop, devastated by guilt and the realization that his actions set tragedy in motion. He must confront that his entire life has been built on evasion and willful ignorance. He faces the person he truly is.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Tony realizes he cannot undo the past but can choose how to respond now. He decides to apologize to Veronica, acknowledging his role in the tragedy without excuses or self-justification—accepting responsibility for the first time in his life.
Synthesis
Tony meets Veronica and delivers a genuine apology. Though she doesn't fully forgive him, there is acknowledgment. Tony reconnects with his daughter, being emotionally present for her pregnancy. He begins living authentically rather than hiding from difficult truths.
Transformation
Tony holds his newborn granddaughter, tears in his eyes. Unlike the opening where he was emotionally distant, he is now vulnerable and present. He has learned that memory is unreliable and uncomfortable truths must be faced, not avoided.