Watchmen

The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The Comedian sits alone in his apartment watching TV as Nixon announces potential nuclear war with the Soviets. An aging, bitter hero in a world that has moved past costumed vigilantes - the Keene Act has outlawed masked heroes, and the Doomsday Clock ticks toward midnight.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.

The inciting incident occurs at 20 minutes when Rorschach visits Dan Dreiberg to warn him that someone is targeting masked heroes - "The Comedian is dead." This revelation that Edward Blake was murdered and thrown from his apartment window sets the investigation in motion and disrupts the uneasy peace of retired vigilantes.. 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 41 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Dr. Manhattan is publicly accused of giving cancer to those close to him, forcing him into exile on Mars. This removes Earth's most powerful protector and emboldens the Soviets to advance into Afghanistan, pushing the Doomsday Clock closer to midnight. The investigation becomes urgent., moving from reaction to action.

At 82 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Rorschach is framed for the murder of Moloch and captured by police. The mask killer theory seems confirmed as the conspiracy closes in. Meanwhile, Dr. Manhattan takes Laurie to Mars, revealing his growing detachment from humanity - a false defeat as the investigation stalls and the heroes are scattered., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.

The Collapse moment at 122 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Adrian Veidt reveals he is behind everything - and that his plan has already been executed. He has teleported an energy reactor mimicking Dr. Manhattan's signature to destroy major cities worldwide, killing millions to prevent nuclear war. "I'm not a comic book villain. I triggered it thirty-five minutes ago."., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.

The Second Threshold at 130 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Dr. Manhattan, Dan, and Laurie make the impossible moral choice to keep Adrian's secret, allowing the lie to stand. Peace has been achieved through mass murder, and they must live with complicity. Only Rorschach refuses to compromise - "Not even in the face of Armageddon. Never compromise."., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.