Vertigo
Following his early retirement as a detective from the San Francisco Police Department, John Ferguson - Scottie to his friends - becomes obsessed with two women in succession, those obsessions which trouble his long time friend and former fiancée, Midge Wood, a designer of women's undergarments. The first is wealthy and elegant platinum blonde Madeleine Elster, the wife of his college acquaintance Gavin Elster, who hires John to follow her in Gavin's belief that she may be a danger to herself in thinking that she has recently been possessed by the spirit of Carlotta Valdes, Madeleine's great-grandmother who she knows nothing about, but who Gavin knows committed suicide in being mentally unbalanced when she was twenty-six, Madeleine's current age. The second is Judy Barton, who John spots on the street one day. Judy is a working class girl, but what makes John obsessed with her is that, despite her working class style and her brunette hair, she is the spitting image of Madeleine, into who he tries to transform Judy. The initial question that John has is if there is some connection between Madeleine and Judy. What happens between John and individually with Madeleine and Judy is affected by the reason John took that early retirement: a recent workplace incident that showed that he is acrophobic which leads to a severe case of vertigo whenever he looks down from tall heights.
Despite its limited budget of $2.5M, Vertigo became a solid performer, earning $7.8M worldwide—a 215% return. The film's bold vision engaged audiences, demonstrating that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Nominated for 2 Oscars. 9 wins & 8 nominations
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%)
Vertigo (1958) reveals meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Alfred Hitchcock's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 8 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 5.2, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Scottie hangs from a building gutter during a rooftop chase. A police officer falls to his death trying to save him, establishing Scottie's acrophobia and survivor's guilt that will haunt him.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Gavin Elster, an old college acquaintance, asks Scottie to follow his wife Madeleine, who he believes is possessed by the spirit of her great-grandmother Carlotta Valdes and may be suicidal.. At 10% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 57 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 45% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat At the mission bell tower, Madeleine runs up the stairs. Scottie's vertigo prevents him from following. She reaches the top and falls to her death. False defeat: Scottie has failed to save her, his love is dead, but this is actually a murder he witnessed—not a supernatural suicide., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 83 minutes (65% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Scottie encounters Judy Barton, a shopgirl who resembles Madeleine. His obsession reaches its nadir—he cannot let go of the dead woman. The "whiff of death" is literal (Madeleine) and metaphorical (Scottie's own psychological death and loss of identity to obsession)., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 90 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 70% of the runtime. Judy makes the fatal mistake of wearing Carlotta's necklace. Scottie recognizes it and realizes the truth: Judy was Madeleine, it was all a plot, and he was a dupe in Elster's murder of his real wife. Knowledge without redemption., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Vertigo's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Vertigo against these established plot points, we can identify how Alfred Hitchcock utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Vertigo within the mystery genre.
Alfred Hitchcock's Structural Approach
Among the 20 Alfred Hitchcock films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.6, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Vertigo takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Alfred Hitchcock filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional mystery films include Oblivion, From Darkness and American Gigolo. For more Alfred Hitchcock analyses, see Family Plot, To Catch a Thief and The Trouble with Harry.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Scottie hangs from a building gutter during a rooftop chase. A police officer falls to his death trying to save him, establishing Scottie's acrophobia and survivor's guilt that will haunt him.
Theme
Midge discusses Scottie's condition: "You're a man who knows how to be loved. You know, Johnny-O, I think you could do with a long rest in a sanitarium." The theme of obsession, control, and the dangers of idealized love is introduced.
Worldbuilding
Scottie recuperates with Midge, his ex-fiancée and friend. We learn he's retired from the police force due to his vertigo. His ordinary world is one of forced retirement, romantic failure, and psychological trauma.
Disruption
Gavin Elster, an old college acquaintance, asks Scottie to follow his wife Madeleine, who he believes is possessed by the spirit of her great-grandmother Carlotta Valdes and may be suicidal.
Resistance
Scottie debates taking the job, skeptical of the supernatural explanation. Midge researches Carlotta Valdes. Scottie begins following Madeleine to the art museum, cemetery, and McKittrick Hotel, becoming increasingly intrigued and drawn to her.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Scottie and Madeleine fall in love as he tries to solve the mystery of her possession. They drive to San Juan Bautista, visit the old mission, and share intimate moments. The promise: a romantic mystery where love might conquer the supernatural.
Midpoint
At the mission bell tower, Madeleine runs up the stairs. Scottie's vertigo prevents him from following. She reaches the top and falls to her death. False defeat: Scottie has failed to save her, his love is dead, but this is actually a murder he witnessed—not a supernatural suicide.
Opposition
Inquest rules Madeleine's death a suicide, blaming Scottie for not stopping her. He suffers a nervous breakdown, hospitalized with severe depression and nightmares. Released but broken, he wanders San Francisco seeing Madeleine everywhere, his obsession deepening.
Collapse
Scottie encounters Judy Barton, a shopgirl who resembles Madeleine. His obsession reaches its nadir—he cannot let go of the dead woman. The "whiff of death" is literal (Madeleine) and metaphorical (Scottie's own psychological death and loss of identity to obsession).
Crisis
Scottie pursues Judy relentlessly. Judy (revealed to the audience via flashback as the woman who impersonated Madeleine in Elster's murder plot) decides to stay, hoping he'll love her for herself. Scottie begins transforming her appearance to match Madeleine.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Judy makes the fatal mistake of wearing Carlotta's necklace. Scottie recognizes it and realizes the truth: Judy was Madeleine, it was all a plot, and he was a dupe in Elster's murder of his real wife. Knowledge without redemption.
Synthesis
Scottie drives Judy back to the mission, forcing her up the bell tower stairs, conquering his vertigo through rage and betrayal. He confronts her with the truth. She confesses. A nun appears; Judy startles, steps backward, and falls to her death—the second woman Scottie loses from the same tower.
Transformation
Scottie stands alone at the edge of the bell tower, arms outstretched, staring down at Judy's body. His vertigo is cured but he has lost everything. A negative transformation: he has overcome his physical limitation only to be completely destroyed emotionally and spiritually.