Unplanned
As one of the youngest Planned Parenthood clinic directors in the nation, Abby Johnson was involved in upwards of 22,000 abortions and counseled countless women on their reproductive choices. Her passion surrounding a woman's right to choose led her to become a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood, fighting to enact legislation for the cause she so deeply believed in. Until the day she saw something that changed everything.
Despite its small-scale budget of $6.0M, Unplanned became a commercial success, earning $21.6M worldwide—a 260% return. The film's innovative storytelling resonated with audiences, confirming 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%)
Unplanned (2019) showcases strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Cary Solomon's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 46 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.3, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Abby Johnson is shown as a successful Planned Parenthood clinic director, confident and committed to her work, believing she is helping women.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Abby is unexpectedly called to assist with an ultrasound-guided abortion at 13 weeks. She is told they are short-staffed and need her help in the procedure room, something she has never done before.. 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Unable to continue working at the clinic after what she witnessed, Abby makes the active choice to resign from Planned Parenthood and walks across the fence line to the Coalition for Life, asking for their help., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Planned Parenthood files a lawsuit against Abby with a gag order, and she faces intense public scrutiny. Her private transformation becomes a public battle, raising the stakes significantly. She realizes there is no going back., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, In a devastating moment, Abby fully confronts the weight of her own participation in over 22,000 abortions and her two personal abortions. She breaks down, feeling the full burden of guilt and grief—a spiritual and emotional death., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Abby chooses to publicly testify and share her full story despite the legal risks. She synthesizes her insider knowledge of Planned Parenthood with her newfound conviction, ready to use her experience to help others., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Unplanned's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Unplanned against these established plot points, we can identify how Cary Solomon utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Unplanned within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Abby Johnson is shown as a successful Planned Parenthood clinic director, confident and committed to her work, believing she is helping women.
Theme
A Coalition for Life volunteer tells Abby, "We're here to offer real choices," introducing the film's central question about what truly helps women and what constitutes life.
Worldbuilding
Flashbacks establish Abby's journey from college volunteer to clinic director, her marriage to Doug, her genuine belief in Planned Parenthood's mission, and the ongoing tension with pro-life protesters outside.
Disruption
Abby is unexpectedly called to assist with an ultrasound-guided abortion at 13 weeks. She is told they are short-staffed and need her help in the procedure room, something she has never done before.
Resistance
Abby enters the procedure room and assists with the ultrasound-guided abortion. She witnesses the fetus moving away from the abortion instrument on the screen, seeing for the first time what an abortion actually does. This shattering experience causes her to question everything.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Unable to continue working at the clinic after what she witnessed, Abby makes the active choice to resign from Planned Parenthood and walks across the fence line to the Coalition for Life, asking for their help.
Mirror World
Shawn Carney and the Coalition for Life volunteers welcome Abby with compassion and support rather than judgment. They represent the thematic counterpoint—authentic love and choice versus what Abby believed she was offering.
Premise
Abby navigates her new reality: learning the truth about Planned Parenthood's abortion quotas, dealing with backlash from former colleagues, facing a gag order and lawsuit, struggling in her marriage, and beginning to publicly share her story despite the costs.
Midpoint
Planned Parenthood files a lawsuit against Abby with a gag order, and she faces intense public scrutiny. Her private transformation becomes a public battle, raising the stakes significantly. She realizes there is no going back.
Opposition
The legal battle intensifies, Abby's marriage strains under pressure, former friends testify against her, and Planned Parenthood's corporate machinery works to discredit her. She faces harassment and isolation, while processing her own past abortions.
Collapse
In a devastating moment, Abby fully confronts the weight of her own participation in over 22,000 abortions and her two personal abortions. She breaks down, feeling the full burden of guilt and grief—a spiritual and emotional death.
Crisis
Abby processes her grief and guilt in the darkness. She receives comfort from her husband Doug and the prayer support of the Coalition. She begins to accept forgiveness and find peace.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Abby chooses to publicly testify and share her full story despite the legal risks. She synthesizes her insider knowledge of Planned Parenthood with her newfound conviction, ready to use her experience to help others.
Synthesis
Abby testifies, the lawsuit is resolved in her favor, and she launches her ministry to help other abortion workers leave the industry. She fully embraces her new mission, healed and purposeful.
Transformation
Final image shows Abby at peace with her family and continuing her advocacy work. Where she once believed she was helping women through abortion access, she now helps women and abortion workers through healing and alternatives—complete transformation.