Visiting Hours
TV journalist, Deborah Ballin's campaigning on behalf of a battered woman who murdered her abusive husband, one viewer - is Colt Hawker, a homicidal psychotic, who despises all women, and now none more-so then Ballin. Hawker goes to Ballin's residence, where he begins a sadistic 'lesson' - his goal; to not just to murderer her but to do it in the most terror-filled way possible.
Despite its small-scale budget of $6.0M, Visiting Hours became a box office success, earning $13.3M worldwide—a 121% return.
2 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%)
Visiting Hours (1982) exemplifies carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Jean-Claude Lord's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 45 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Deborah Ballin appears on television advocating for women's rights and against domestic violence, establishing her as a crusading journalist with a strong public voice.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Colt Hawker brutally attacks Deborah in her home, stabbing her multiple times in a vicious assault that shatters her sense of safety.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Deborah realizes Colt is not finished with her and chooses to stay in the hospital and face the threat rather than flee, entering a deadly cat-and-mouse game., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Colt murders another patient in the hospital, demonstrating he can strike at will; the stakes raise dramatically as Deborah realizes nowhere is safe and she is truly trapped., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 78 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Colt brutally attacks Sheila, putting her in critical condition; Deborah's protective ally is destroyed, leaving her completely isolated and facing the killer alone., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Deborah realizes she must stop being a victim and take active control; she transforms fear into determination and prepares to confront Colt directly on her own terms., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Visiting Hours'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 Visiting Hours against these established plot points, we can identify how Jean-Claude Lord utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Visiting Hours within the horror genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Deborah Ballin appears on television advocating for women's rights and against domestic violence, establishing her as a crusading journalist with a strong public voice.
Theme
A colleague warns Deborah about making enemies with her strong opinions, hinting at the danger of speaking truth to those who would silence her.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Deborah's professional life at the television station, her relationship with colleagues, and the introduction of Colt Hawker watching her broadcast with growing rage.
Disruption
Colt Hawker brutally attacks Deborah in her home, stabbing her multiple times in a vicious assault that shatters her sense of safety.
Resistance
Deborah survives and is hospitalized; she struggles with fear and trauma while police investigate; nurse Sheila Munroe becomes a supportive presence as Deborah debates whether to retreat or continue fighting.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Deborah realizes Colt is not finished with her and chooses to stay in the hospital and face the threat rather than flee, entering a deadly cat-and-mouse game.
Mirror World
Deborah bonds with nurse Sheila, who represents compassionate strength and becomes her ally, offering both practical help and emotional support in vulnerability.
Premise
The thriller premise unfolds as Colt infiltrates the hospital repeatedly while Deborah remains confined and vulnerable; tension escalates as he evades security and stalks other victims.
Midpoint
Colt murders another patient in the hospital, demonstrating he can strike at will; the stakes raise dramatically as Deborah realizes nowhere is safe and she is truly trapped.
Opposition
Colt's attacks intensify and grow bolder; Deborah's fear deepens as police remain unable to stop him; he targets Sheila and others close to Deborah, closing in from all sides.
Collapse
Colt brutally attacks Sheila, putting her in critical condition; Deborah's protective ally is destroyed, leaving her completely isolated and facing the killer alone.
Crisis
Deborah confronts her darkest fears and deepest despair, mourning Sheila and processing the price of her outspokenness, questioning everything while still physically weakened.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Deborah realizes she must stop being a victim and take active control; she transforms fear into determination and prepares to confront Colt directly on her own terms.
Synthesis
Final confrontation as Deborah uses her intelligence and newfound courage to outmaneuver Colt; the hunted becomes the hunter in a climactic battle where she fights back and ultimately defeats him.
Transformation
Deborah emerges from the hospital forever changed, having survived not by silencing herself but by finding strength through vulnerability and refusing to be a victim.