Tully

The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Marlo, heavily pregnant with her third child, struggles with her son Jonah's behavioral issues at school. Her exhausted, overwhelmed state establishes the "before" - a mother already at her breaking point before the baby even arrives.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.

The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Marlo gives birth to baby Mia. What should be joyful becomes the catalyst for her unraveling - sleepless nights, postpartum exhaustion, breastfeeding demands, and complete depletion. The baby's arrival disrupts any remaining equilibrium.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.

The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Marlo actively chooses to call the night nanny service. This is her decision to accept help and enter a new world where she doesn't have to do everything alone. She crosses into Act 2., moving from reaction to action.

At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False victory: Marlo has transformed - she's lost baby weight, feels sexy, surprises Drew with roleplay as "Tully" (her maiden name). She seems to have it all together. But this is the peak before the revelation that something is wrong. Stakes raise as her grip on reality loosens., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.

The Collapse moment at 70 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Marlo and "Tully" go on a night drive to the city. Marlo falls asleep at the wheel and crashes into a river. Literal death moment - she nearly drowns. This is the complete breakdown, the whiff of death, the collapse of her psychological defense mechanism., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.

The Second Threshold at 77 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Drew finally sees his wife clearly - not as the invincible mother, but as someone who nearly died trying to do everything alone. He commits to being present. Marlo accepts she needed help and couldn't do it all. The synthesis of old Marlo and young "Tully" creates acceptance., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.