The Sisters Brothers
Based on Patrick DeWitt's novel, This movie revolves around the colorfully named gold prospector Hermann Kermit Warm (Riz Ahmed), who's being pursued across one thousand miles of 1850s Oregon desert to San Francisco, California by the notorious assassins Eli Sisters (John C. Reilly) and Charlie Sisters (Joaquin Phoenix). Except Eli is having a personal crisis and beginning to doubt the longevity of his chosen career. And Hermann might have a better offer.
The film box office disappointment against its moderate budget of $38.0M, earning $13.1M globally (-65% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its distinctive approach within the drama genre.
13 wins & 22 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 Sisters Brothers (2018) reveals strategically placed story structure, characteristic of Jacques Audiard's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 1 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The Sisters brothers attack a house at night. Eli Sisters shows reluctance and sensitivity during the violent mission, establishing his desire for a different life.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when The Commodore assigns them to track down Hermann Kermit Warm, sending scout John Morris ahead. This mission will change everything.. 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to The brothers catch up with John Morris, forming an uneasy partnership that propels them deeper into the mission and toward Warm., moving from reaction to action.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Morris and the brothers decide to partner with Warm instead of killing him, pursuing his gold-finding chemical formula together. A false victory—they believe they'll get rich., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 90 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Morris dies from his burns and injuries. The whiff of death—their partner is gone, and the brothers must face the consequences of their choices., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 96 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. The brothers decide to face the Commodore together, choosing loyalty to each other and a new path over their old life of servitude., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Sisters Brothers'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 Sisters Brothers against these established plot points, we can identify how Jacques Audiard utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Sisters Brothers within the drama genre.
Jacques Audiard's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Jacques Audiard films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Sisters Brothers takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jacques Audiard filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Jacques Audiard analyses, see Rust and Bone, The Beat That My Heart Skipped and A Prophet.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The Sisters brothers attack a house at night. Eli Sisters shows reluctance and sensitivity during the violent mission, establishing his desire for a different life.
Theme
Eli expresses his dream of opening a store, hinting at the central theme: can a violent man find redemption and a peaceful life?
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the brothers' relationship, their work as hired killers for the Commodore, and Eli's growing disillusionment with their violent lifestyle.
Disruption
The Commodore assigns them to track down Hermann Kermit Warm, sending scout John Morris ahead. This mission will change everything.
Resistance
The brothers journey toward their target, encountering obstacles. Eli continues to question their lifestyle while Charlie remains committed to the violent path.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The brothers catch up with John Morris, forming an uneasy partnership that propels them deeper into the mission and toward Warm.
Mirror World
They encounter Hermann Kermit Warm, who represents an alternative worldview—one of science, partnership, and utopian dreams rather than violence and exploitation.
Premise
The promise of the premise: the brothers' journey through the frontier, encountering various characters and challenges that test their bond and beliefs.
Midpoint
Morris and the brothers decide to partner with Warm instead of killing him, pursuing his gold-finding chemical formula together. A false victory—they believe they'll get rich.
Opposition
The gold extraction goes wrong—the chemical poisons the river and burns them. The Commodore's men close in. The dream of easy wealth collapses.
Collapse
Morris dies from his burns and injuries. The whiff of death—their partner is gone, and the brothers must face the consequences of their choices.
Crisis
The brothers process Morris's death and their own injuries. They must confront the Commodore's men and decide what kind of men they want to be.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The brothers decide to face the Commodore together, choosing loyalty to each other and a new path over their old life of servitude.
Synthesis
The brothers confront and kill the Commodore, freeing themselves. They return home to their mother's house, completing their journey of transformation.
Transformation
Eli and Charlie are home, peaceful and clean, operating their mother's store. They've found the quiet life Eli dreamed of—transformed from killers to shopkeepers.