This Is the End
While attending a party at James Franco's house, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel and many other celebrities are faced with the apocalypse.
Despite a moderate budget of $32.0M, This Is the End became a box office success, earning $126.0M worldwide—a 294% return.
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%)
This Is the End (2013) exhibits deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Evan Goldberg's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 46 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.7, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jay Baruchel arrives at LAX where Seth Rogen picks him up. They're old friends reconnecting, establishing their comfortable friendship and Jay's fish-out-of-water status in Hollywood.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Jay and Seth go to a convenience store where the biblical apocalypse begins. Blue beams of light rapture the worthy into heaven while earthquakes devastate Los Angeles. They witness people being taken up and chaos erupting.. 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 shows the protagonist's commitment to The group decides to stay in Franco's house and ration supplies rather than venture outside. This choice commits them to surviving together in close quarters, where their true characters will be tested., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Danny McBride wastes their water supply after being kicked out briefly, then forces his way back in. The situation deteriorates from inconvenient to dire. A demon appears inside the house, raising the stakes from survival to spiritual warfare., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 76 minutes (72% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, During a fight, Jay and Seth's friendship ruptures completely when Seth sides with the group over Jay. Jay decides to leave the house alone, convinced he's the only good person. The demon possesses Jonah Hill, and they must perform an exorcism that results in Jonah's death., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 83 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 78% of the runtime. Seth realizes the key to salvation is true selfless sacrifice. He decides to sacrifice himself to save Jay from the demon, proving their friendship is real. This act of genuine goodness triggers his rapture into heaven., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
This Is the End's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping This Is the End against these established plot points, we can identify how Evan Goldberg utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish This Is the End within the action genre.
Evan Goldberg's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Evan Goldberg films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. This Is the End represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Evan Goldberg filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Evan Goldberg analyses, see The Interview.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jay Baruchel arrives at LAX where Seth Rogen picks him up. They're old friends reconnecting, establishing their comfortable friendship and Jay's fish-out-of-water status in Hollywood.
Theme
At Seth's apartment, Jay expresses discomfort with Seth's Hollywood friends and the superficial party scene. Theme emerges: true friendship vs. shallow celebrity relationships, and whether fame corrupts genuine connection.
Worldbuilding
Seth convinces reluctant Jay to attend James Franco's housewarming party. We meet the ensemble cast playing themselves: Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, Danny McBride. Establishing the excess, egos, and superficiality of Hollywood culture.
Disruption
Jay and Seth go to a convenience store where the biblical apocalypse begins. Blue beams of light rapture the worthy into heaven while earthquakes devastate Los Angeles. They witness people being taken up and chaos erupting.
Resistance
Seth and Jay return to Franco's house where partygoers don't believe their story. A massive earthquake hits during the party, creating a sinkhole that kills many celebrities. The survivors barricade themselves inside, debating what's happening and whether to leave.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The group decides to stay in Franco's house and ration supplies rather than venture outside. This choice commits them to surviving together in close quarters, where their true characters will be tested.
Mirror World
Jay and Seth's friendship becomes the emotional core that mirrors the theme. Their dynamic represents genuine friendship tested by Seth's new Hollywood relationships, particularly with people like Jonah Hill who Jay sees as fake.
Premise
Survival comedy ensues as the group rations food, creates a home movie sequel to Pineapple Express, deals with Danny McBride's selfish behavior, and faces demonic threats outside. Tensions rise over resources and conflicting personalities.
Midpoint
Danny McBride wastes their water supply after being kicked out briefly, then forces his way back in. The situation deteriorates from inconvenient to dire. A demon appears inside the house, raising the stakes from survival to spiritual warfare.
Opposition
The group fractures under pressure. Jay tries to convince them this is biblical rapture and they need to be good people. Emma Watson raids their supplies. Danny's selfishness escalates. Seth and Jay's friendship strains as Jay feels betrayed by Seth's loyalty to the wrong people.
Collapse
During a fight, Jay and Seth's friendship ruptures completely when Seth sides with the group over Jay. Jay decides to leave the house alone, convinced he's the only good person. The demon possesses Jonah Hill, and they must perform an exorcism that results in Jonah's death.
Crisis
The survivors realize being good isn't about being self-righteous but about genuine self-sacrifice. Seth feels deep regret about Jay. The house is overrun by demons and they're forced outside where a giant demon beast awaits.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Seth realizes the key to salvation is true selfless sacrifice. He decides to sacrifice himself to save Jay from the demon, proving their friendship is real. This act of genuine goodness triggers his rapture into heaven.
Synthesis
Seth is beamed up to heaven. Jay tries to sacrifice himself for Seth, proving he's also worthy, and both are raptured. Craig Robinson performs an act of selflessness and joins them. Heaven is revealed as an eternal party where they reunite with friends.
Transformation
Jay and Seth arrive in heaven where the Backstreet Boys perform, fulfilling Jay's wish. The closing image shows them in paradise, their friendship validated and restored, having learned that genuine selflessness and authentic connection are what truly matter.