Threesome
Eddy and Stuart share two-thirds of a dormitory suite. Due to bureaucratic error, a woman named Alex is added to their room. At first, relations among the three are tense. Soon, however, Alex falls for Eddy, and Stuart lusts after Alex. Eddy comes to realize not only that he's gay, but that he's attracted to Stuart. The three pledge not to act on any romantic (or lustful) feelings with each other, and become close friends . . . while bottling up a lot of sexual tension.
The film earned $14.8M 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%)
Threesome (1994) exemplifies strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of Andrew Fleming's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 33 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Eddy narrates his college arrival, establishing himself as an intellectual, observant student entering his freshman year with traditional expectations about university life and relationships.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when The three decide to live together despite the unconventional arrangement. This administrative accident creates the unusual living situation that will force all three to confront their sexualities and desires.. 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 Collapse moment at 70 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The emotional breaking point arrives when the trio fractures. The arrangement falls apart completely as the pain of unrequited desire and incompatible orientations becomes unbearable. Their unique bond "dies" as they realize they cannot continue this way., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The trio separates and moves on with their lives, each taking what they learned into new relationships and self-understanding. They integrate the experience into their identities, changed by what they shared but unable to recapture it., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Threesome's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Threesome against these established plot points, we can identify how Andrew Fleming utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Threesome within the comedy genre.
Andrew Fleming's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Andrew Fleming films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Threesome takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Andrew Fleming filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Andrew Fleming analyses, see The Craft, Nancy Drew and Dick.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Eddy narrates his college arrival, establishing himself as an intellectual, observant student entering his freshman year with traditional expectations about university life and relationships.
Theme
During early conversations, someone remarks about how people don't really know themselves or what they want, foreshadowing the sexual identity exploration that becomes central to the story.
Worldbuilding
Introduction of the college setting, Eddy's intellectual personality, and the housing mix-up. We meet Stuart, the hedonistic ladies' man, and Alex, who arrives as their third roommate due to administrative error assuming Alex was male.
Disruption
The three decide to live together despite the unconventional arrangement. This administrative accident creates the unusual living situation that will force all three to confront their sexualities and desires.
Resistance
The trio navigates their new living arrangement, establishing boundaries and routines. Sexual tension builds as they observe each other, with Stuart pursuing Alex while Eddy develops confused feelings for both roommates.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The "fun and games" of their unconventional arrangement. Romantic and sexual tensions interweave as Eddy realizes his attraction to Stuart, Stuart remains fixated on Alex, and Alex develops feelings for Eddy, creating a triangle where everyone wants someone who wants someone else.
Opposition
The aftermath proves difficult. Jealousy, confusion, and incompatible desires create conflict. Each person's different orientation and romantic target means someone is always left out. The arrangement that seemed liberating becomes painful as they can't reconcile their feelings.
Collapse
The emotional breaking point arrives when the trio fractures. The arrangement falls apart completely as the pain of unrequited desire and incompatible orientations becomes unbearable. Their unique bond "dies" as they realize they cannot continue this way.
Crisis
Each character processes the loss privately, confronting what they've learned about themselves. Eddy faces his sexuality, Stuart his limitations, Alex her own desires. They sit in the darkness of losing both the relationship and their innocence about who they are.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The trio separates and moves on with their lives, each taking what they learned into new relationships and self-understanding. They integrate the experience into their identities, changed by what they shared but unable to recapture it.
Transformation
Eddy's final narration reflects on the experience with mature understanding. Where he began as confused and closeted, he ends with self-awareness and acceptance, recognizing the threesome as a pivotal moment in discovering his true self.