Westworld
An amusement park for rich vacationers, it provides its customers a way to live out their fantasies through the use of robots that provide anything they want. Two of the vacationers choose a wild west adventure. However, after a computer breakdown, they find that they are now being stalked by a rogue robot gunslinger.
Despite its modest budget of $1.2M, Westworld became a commercial juggernaut, earning $10.0M worldwide—a remarkable 733% return. The film's fresh perspective connected with viewers, proving 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%)
Westworld (1973) reveals carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Michael Crichton's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 29 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Peter Martin arrives at Delos resort via hovercraft with his friend John Blane, excited for a vacation in an adult fantasy theme park where "nothing can go wrong.".. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Chief technician reports robot malfunctions spreading like a disease. A rattlesnake robot bites a guest. Control room begins detecting systematic failures across multiple robots.. 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 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Peter chooses to draw on the Gunslinger in a showdown and "kills" him. Peter crosses into embracing the fantasy world fully, becoming an active participant rather than observer., moving from reaction to action.
At 44 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat The Gunslinger, now malfunctioning, shoots and kills John in cold blood. False defeat: the safe fantasy world becomes deadly. The stakes shift from fun to survival., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 66 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Peter finds the underground control center filled with dead technicians. Whiff of death: all human authorities are gone. He is utterly alone with no rescue coming. Technology has completely failed., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 71 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Peter realizes the Gunslinger is a machine with limitations - it uses heat sensors and can be damaged. Synthesis: combining his knowledge from the control center with survival instinct., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Westworld'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 Westworld against these established plot points, we can identify how Michael Crichton utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Westworld within the action genre.
Michael Crichton's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Michael Crichton films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Westworld takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Michael Crichton filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Michael Crichton analyses, see Runaway.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Peter Martin arrives at Delos resort via hovercraft with his friend John Blane, excited for a vacation in an adult fantasy theme park where "nothing can go wrong."
Theme
Chief supervisor assures guests during orientation: "Nothing can go wrong. The robots are programmed to serve you." Theme stated: technological hubris and false security.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Delos resort with three themed worlds (Western World, Medieval World, Roman World). Technicians repair and monitor robots in underground control center. Guests choose costumes and worlds.
Disruption
Chief technician reports robot malfunctions spreading like a disease. A rattlesnake robot bites a guest. Control room begins detecting systematic failures across multiple robots.
Resistance
Peter and John explore Western World, unaware of growing danger. They drink in saloons, get into staged bar fights, and encounter the Gunslinger. Behind scenes, technicians debate shutting down the park.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Peter chooses to draw on the Gunslinger in a showdown and "kills" him. Peter crosses into embracing the fantasy world fully, becoming an active participant rather than observer.
Mirror World
Peter bonds with John over their adventures, particularly with robot women. Their friendship represents the human connection that contrasts with the artificial world around them.
Premise
The promise of the premise: guests enjoy consequence-free adventures in Western World. Peter gains confidence. Meanwhile, robot malfunctions escalate as technicians lose control of systems.
Midpoint
The Gunslinger, now malfunctioning, shoots and kills John in cold blood. False defeat: the safe fantasy world becomes deadly. The stakes shift from fun to survival.
Opposition
Peter flees through Western World as the Gunslinger relentlessly hunts him. Park systems fail completely. Robots kill guests across all three worlds. Underground technicians suffocate as life support fails.
Collapse
Peter finds the underground control center filled with dead technicians. Whiff of death: all human authorities are gone. He is utterly alone with no rescue coming. Technology has completely failed.
Crisis
Peter wanders in despair through the maintenance corridors, exhausted and terrified. The Gunslinger continues tracking him methodically. Peter must find will to survive without help.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Peter realizes the Gunslinger is a machine with limitations - it uses heat sensors and can be damaged. Synthesis: combining his knowledge from the control center with survival instinct.
Synthesis
Peter lures the Gunslinger into Medieval World dungeon, throws acid in its face, and sets it on fire with a torch. Final confrontation uses the artificial environment against the artificial hunter.
Transformation
Peter sits exhausted on dungeon steps as the Gunslinger's burning corpse smolders. Transformed from naive tourist to traumatized survivor. The promise of technology lies in ruins around him.