Widows
A police shootout leaves four thieves dead during an explosive armed robbery attempt in Chicago. Their widows have nothing in common except a debt left behind by their spouses' criminal activities. Hoping to forge a future on their own terms, they join forces to pull off a heist.
Working with a moderate budget of $42.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $73.9M in global revenue (+76% profit margin).
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%)
Widows (2018) showcases carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Steve McQueen's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 9 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Intimate bedroom scene between Veronica and Harry Rawlings showing their loving relationship. Establishes Veronica's comfortable, wealthy life with her criminal husband before everything falls apart.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Harry and his crew die in a fiery shootout with police after the heist fails. Veronica loses her husband, her financial security, and her entire life in one moment. The explosion literally and metaphorically destroys her world.. At 11% 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 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Veronica makes the active choice to recruit the other widows and execute Harry's heist plan. She approaches Linda and meets with her, taking the first irreversible step from victim to criminal mastermind., moving from reaction to action.
At 63 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False defeat: The women discover during the dry run that the vault is in a completely different location than planned. The heist seems impossible. Simultaneously, political and criminal pressures intensify as Manning gains ground and the deadline approaches. Stakes raise dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 94 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Veronica discovers Harry is alive and orchestrated everything, including their son's death years ago. This emotional death of her marriage, trust, and past life coincides with Amanda being killed. Everything Veronica believed was a lie. Whiff of death: Amanda's murder and the death of Veronica's illusions., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 103 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Veronica realizes the final piece: they must execute the heist during the election night at the Mulligan mansion. New information about timing and location combines with their skills and newfound determination. They synthesize the plan with their personal motivation for justice., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Widows's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Widows against these established plot points, we can identify how Steve McQueen utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Widows within the crime genre.
Steve McQueen's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Steve McQueen films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 5.2, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. Widows represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Steve McQueen filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more Steve McQueen analyses, see 12 Years a Slave.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Intimate bedroom scene between Veronica and Harry Rawlings showing their loving relationship. Establishes Veronica's comfortable, wealthy life with her criminal husband before everything falls apart.
Theme
Harry tells Veronica during the heist escape: "We have a lot to lose." The theme of what women do when they lose everything, and whether the system allows them to survive or rebuild on their own terms.
Worldbuilding
Intercut between the intimate present and violent heist-gone-wrong. Establishes Chicago political corruption, the Rawlings crew, Veronica's dependence on Harry, and the criminal underworld. Sets up the 18th Ward political race between Mulligan and Manning.
Disruption
Harry and his crew die in a fiery shootout with police after the heist fails. Veronica loses her husband, her financial security, and her entire life in one moment. The explosion literally and metaphorically destroys her world.
Resistance
Veronica attempts to maintain her old life but discovers Harry's debts. Jamal Manning and his enforcer Jatemme threaten her, demanding $2 million in 30 days. Veronica resists the idea of criminal action, tries to liquidate assets, but realizes she's trapped. She finds Harry's notebook with the next heist plan.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Veronica makes the active choice to recruit the other widows and execute Harry's heist plan. She approaches Linda and meets with her, taking the first irreversible step from victim to criminal mastermind.
Mirror World
Veronica recruits Alice, Linda, and eventually Belle. This new sisterhood represents the thematic world - women supporting women, finding strength outside patriarchal systems. Their alliance carries the film's exploration of female agency and solidarity.
Premise
The "heist planning" section - the promise of the premise. The widows train, surveil the target, acquire a getaway driver, obtain weapons, and rehearse the plan. Veronica transforms from grieving wife to criminal leader, showing tactical brilliance.
Midpoint
False defeat: The women discover during the dry run that the vault is in a completely different location than planned. The heist seems impossible. Simultaneously, political and criminal pressures intensify as Manning gains ground and the deadline approaches. Stakes raise dramatically.
Opposition
Pressure from all sides: Alice's mother pressures her, Linda loses her business, Manning's enforcement escalates, Jack Mulligan's political corruption deepens. Veronica discovers devastating truths about Harry. The women's personal weaknesses and the antagonists' power threaten to tear the plan apart.
Collapse
Veronica discovers Harry is alive and orchestrated everything, including their son's death years ago. This emotional death of her marriage, trust, and past life coincides with Amanda being killed. Everything Veronica believed was a lie. Whiff of death: Amanda's murder and the death of Veronica's illusions.
Crisis
Dark night: Veronica processes Harry's ultimate betrayal, grieves Amanda, and questions everything. The remaining women face their darkest fears. But they find resolve - they have nothing left to lose and everything to gain. They will finish the heist for themselves, not for the men.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Veronica realizes the final piece: they must execute the heist during the election night at the Mulligan mansion. New information about timing and location combines with their skills and newfound determination. They synthesize the plan with their personal motivation for justice.
Synthesis
The heist execution during Mulligan's election party. The widows successfully rob the mansion, navigate complications, and confront Harry when he appears to steal from them. Veronica shoots Harry. They escape with $5 million. Manning wins the election. All threads resolve.
Transformation
Mirror to opening: Veronica and Alice share a brief moment of recognition in a café - two independent women who survived and rebuilt on their own terms. Veronica is alone but free, powerful, and self-determined. The transformation from dependent wife to autonomous woman complete.