Titanic

The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Present-day: Treasure hunters explore Titanic wreckage searching for the Heart of the Ocean diamond. Brock Lovett discovers a drawing of a young woman wearing the necklace, establishing the frame narrative of elderly Rose's world before her story disrupts it.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.

The inciting incident occurs at 23 minutes when Titanic departs Southampton. Rose is trapped—literally sailing away from freedom into a life she doesn't want. That night, she runs to the stern in despair, climbs over the railing, and prepares to jump. This suicide attempt is the catalyst that forces Jack into her life.. 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 54 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 28% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to After the first-class dinner, Rose makes her choice. She leaves her world behind, goes to the third-class party with Jack, and dances freely. She actively chooses to cross into Jack's world. "I'll be fine, really. I'll be fine." She commits to exploring this new life., moving from reaction to action.

At 98 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Titanic strikes the iceberg. A false defeat—at first it seems like barely a bump, but Thomas Andrews quickly realizes the ship is doomed. The stakes completely transform: this is no longer just a love story, but a survival story. Time becomes the enemy. The party is over., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.

The Collapse moment at 146 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The ship breaks in half and sinks. Jack and Rose are plunged into the freezing North Atlantic. All seems lost—no lifeboats returning, hundreds dying in the water around them, Jack giving Rose the only floating door while he freezes in the water. The "whiff of death" is literal and everywhere., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.

The Second Threshold at 156 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Rose hears the whistle—a lifeboat is returning. She synthesizes what Jack taught her (never give up, make each day count) with her own will to survive. She lets go of Jack's body, swims to get a whistle from a dead officer, and calls the boat back. "Come back! Come back!" Her active choice to live., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.