Twisted
Jessica Shepard is an on the rise police officer of San Francisco's esteemed police department, after having solved a big case about a serial killer. Her mentor John Mills is proud of Jessica as a father would be of his daughter, since Mills was the partner of Jessica's late father. With a newly established promotion, Jessica finds that she might once again have to prove herself in a department that takes no prisoners. Not to mention a new partner named Mike Delmarco, who might be Jessica's next closest thing to a confidant. However, a man has been found dead and the two officers are brought into the investigation. What they find is a surprise when the dead in question was a man Jessica slept with, he being part of a list of one night stands that Jessica has engaged in. Now under suspicion and a terrible drinking problem gnawing at her, Jessica will have to prove to her superiors and to her skeptical partner that she's not the one behind the murders and Mills is one of the few people standing behind her. This is a story about a woman trying to find the perpetrator of these horrible crimes, before she herself might end as one of them.
The film struggled financially against its mid-range budget of $50.0M, earning $41.0M globally (-18% loss).
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%)
Twisted (2004) showcases strategically placed story structure, characteristic of Philip Kaufman's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 37 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jessica Shepard is promoted to homicide detective in San Francisco, but struggles with alcoholic blackouts and a troubled past involving her father's murder-suicide when she was a child.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when A man Jessica recently slept with is found murdered, and she discovers she was with him the night before but has no memory of what happened due to a blackout.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Jessica decides to actively investigate the murders herself, even as she becomes the prime suspect. She commits to finding the truth, whatever it may reveal about herself., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Jessica discovers evidence that appears to incriminate her definitively. She finds a scarf belonging to one victim in her possession with no memory of how it got there. False defeat: she believes she might actually be the killer., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 73 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Commissioner Mills is murdered. Jessica loved him as a father figure, and his death represents the loss of her last anchor to stability and her past. She's arrested as the prime suspect., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Jessica realizes the pattern: someone is killing men from her past to frame her. She discovers that Commissioner Mills had been protecting her by hiding evidence, and uncovers the true killer's identity through connecting her suppressed memories., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Twisted's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Twisted against these established plot points, we can identify how Philip Kaufman utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Twisted within the crime genre.
Philip Kaufman's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Philip Kaufman films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Twisted represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Philip Kaufman filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more Philip Kaufman analyses, see Quills, Henry & June and Rising Sun.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jessica Shepard is promoted to homicide detective in San Francisco, but struggles with alcoholic blackouts and a troubled past involving her father's murder-suicide when she was a child.
Theme
Her partner Mike Delmarco warns Jessica about letting her past control her future, stating "You can't keep running from who you are." The theme of confronting one's demons is established.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Jessica's world: her relationship with Commissioner John Mills (her father's former partner who raised her), her partnership with Mike, her drinking problem, and casual sexual encounters that she barely remembers.
Disruption
A man Jessica recently slept with is found murdered, and she discovers she was with him the night before but has no memory of what happened due to a blackout.
Resistance
Jessica debates whether to reveal her connection to the victim. More former lovers turn up dead. She begins therapy with Dr. Frank while Internal Affairs investigates. She resists believing she could be the killer.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jessica decides to actively investigate the murders herself, even as she becomes the prime suspect. She commits to finding the truth, whatever it may reveal about herself.
Mirror World
Her therapeutic relationship with Dr. Frank deepens, representing the psychological journey she must take. He becomes the mirror reflecting her need to face her past trauma.
Premise
Jessica investigates while under suspicion, navigating the premise: a detective hunting a serial killer who may be herself. She tracks leads, experiences more blackouts, and more bodies connected to her past appear.
Midpoint
Jessica discovers evidence that appears to incriminate her definitively. She finds a scarf belonging to one victim in her possession with no memory of how it got there. False defeat: she believes she might actually be the killer.
Opposition
Jessica is suspended and becomes increasingly isolated. The killings continue. Internal Affairs closes in. Her support system crumbles as even Mike begins to doubt her. She desperately searches for evidence of her innocence.
Collapse
Commissioner Mills is murdered. Jessica loved him as a father figure, and his death represents the loss of her last anchor to stability and her past. She's arrested as the prime suspect.
Crisis
In custody and at her lowest point, Jessica processes the trauma of Mills' death and confronts her deepest fear: that she inherited her father's murderous insanity.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jessica realizes the pattern: someone is killing men from her past to frame her. She discovers that Commissioner Mills had been protecting her by hiding evidence, and uncovers the true killer's identity through connecting her suppressed memories.
Synthesis
Jessica escapes custody and confronts the real killer, revealed to be someone close to her who has been manipulating her blackouts and planting evidence. Final confrontation combines her detective skills with newfound self-knowledge.
Transformation
Jessica, now cleared and sober, stands confidently at a crime scene. Unlike the opening, she is in control, has faced her demons, and broken the cycle of her past. She is no longer running from who she is.