Throw Momma from the Train
Larry Donner, an author with a cruel ex-wife, teaches a writing workshop in which one of his students, Owen, is fed up with his domineering mother. When Owen watches a Hitchcock classic that seems to mirror his own life, he decides to put the movie's plot into action and offers to kill Larry's ex-wife, if Larry promises to murder his mom. Before Larry gets a chance to react to the plan, it seems that Owen has already set things in motion.
Despite its limited budget of $14.0M, Throw Momma from the Train became a financial success, earning $57.9M worldwide—a 314% return. The film's distinctive approach resonated with audiences, demonstrating that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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%)
Throw Momma from the Train (1987) showcases meticulously timed plot construction, characteristic of Danny DeVito's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 28 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.5, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Larry Donner, a bitter writing professor, is stuck in writer's block and consumed by rage toward his ex-wife Margaret who stole his manuscript and published it as her own bestseller.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Owen appears at Larry's house unannounced, having taken the "Strangers on a Train" concept literally. He reveals he's killed Larry's ex-wife Margaret by pushing her off a cruise ship, expecting Larry to reciprocate by killing Momma.. 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 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Larry reluctantly agrees to go to Owen's house to "meet Momma," not to kill her but to assess the situation and find a way out of this nightmare. He crosses into Owen's world of madness., moving from reaction to action.
At 44 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Larry discovers Margaret is alive—Owen botched the murder. False defeat: what seemed like leverage (her death) evaporates, but now Larry is implicated in an attempted murder and Owen is still demanding Larry kill Momma. The stakes raise and options narrow., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 65 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Owen, believing Larry has betrayed him, frames Larry completely by planting evidence. Larry is arrested. His career, freedom, and life are destroyed. Owen has become the monster, just like Momma. All is lost., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 70 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The finale at Momma's house: Larry and Owen confront Momma together, chaotic struggle ensues, Momma accidentally falls to her death, Larry and Owen must deal with consequences. The truth comes out, Owen grows a spine, Larry finds freedom from his bitterness, and both are transformed by the ordeal., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Throw Momma from the Train's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Throw Momma from the Train against these established plot points, we can identify how Danny DeVito utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Throw Momma from the Train within the comedy genre.
Danny DeVito's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Danny DeVito films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Throw Momma from the Train represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Danny DeVito filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Danny DeVito analyses, see Duplex, Death to Smoochy and Matilda.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Larry Donner, a bitter writing professor, is stuck in writer's block and consumed by rage toward his ex-wife Margaret who stole his manuscript and published it as her own bestseller.
Theme
Owen tells his writing class about "Strangers on a Train" where two people swap murders. Larry dismissively explains the premise, unknowingly planting the seed of the film's central conflict about moral compromise and desperation.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Larry's miserable existence: tortured by his ex-wife's success, stuck teaching uninspired students including the childlike Owen, unable to write. Owen lives under the tyrannical control of his monstrous mother ("Momma"). Both men are trapped in their respective hells.
Disruption
Owen appears at Larry's house unannounced, having taken the "Strangers on a Train" concept literally. He reveals he's killed Larry's ex-wife Margaret by pushing her off a cruise ship, expecting Larry to reciprocate by killing Momma.
Resistance
Larry refuses to believe Owen killed Margaret, thinks he's delusional. Owen produces evidence (her jewelry). Larry panics, tries to figure out what to do, debates whether to go to police. Owen insists Larry must complete his part of the "deal" or he'll implicate Larry as an accomplice.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Larry reluctantly agrees to go to Owen's house to "meet Momma," not to kill her but to assess the situation and find a way out of this nightmare. He crosses into Owen's world of madness.
Mirror World
Larry meets Momma, a truly horrible person who abuses Owen relentlessly. This relationship mirrors Larry's toxic relationship with Margaret—both men are victims of domineering women. Larry begins to feel sympathy for Owen despite the horror of the situation.
Premise
The dark comedy of Larry trying to navigate his impossible situation: pretending to go along with Owen while seeking escape, dealing with police suspicion, attempting to "kill" Momma in fake ways to appease Owen, and experiencing increasingly absurd complications as Owen's expectations and the investigation intensify.
Midpoint
Larry discovers Margaret is alive—Owen botched the murder. False defeat: what seemed like leverage (her death) evaporates, but now Larry is implicated in an attempted murder and Owen is still demanding Larry kill Momma. The stakes raise and options narrow.
Opposition
Everything tightens: police close in on Larry as prime suspect, Owen becomes more unstable and threatening, Larry's girlfriend Beth loses faith in him, and Momma's abuse of Owen intensifies. Larry's attempts to fix the situation only make things worse.
Collapse
Owen, believing Larry has betrayed him, frames Larry completely by planting evidence. Larry is arrested. His career, freedom, and life are destroyed. Owen has become the monster, just like Momma. All is lost.
Crisis
Larry, in despair, realizes the depth of the nightmare. Owen, alone with Momma, faces his own dark night as her abuse continues. Both men are at their lowest point, trapped by their choices and circumstances.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale at Momma's house: Larry and Owen confront Momma together, chaotic struggle ensues, Momma accidentally falls to her death, Larry and Owen must deal with consequences. The truth comes out, Owen grows a spine, Larry finds freedom from his bitterness, and both are transformed by the ordeal.