Swiss Army Man poster

Swiss Army Man

201697 minutesR
4.6
Arcplot Score
📝 Unconventional
Unverified
6.9IMDb
🍅 73%Rotten Tomatoes
Ⓜ️ 64/100Metacritic
🎬 6.9TMDb
📊 2.6Popularity
🏆8 wins & 31 nominations total
Directed by: The Daniels
Written by: Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
Hank, stranded on a deserted island and about to kill himself, notices a corpse washed up on the beach. He befriends it, naming it Manny, only to discover that his new friend can talk and has a myriad of supernatural abilities...which may help him get home.

Box Office

Budget:$3.0M
Revenue:$5.8M
Profit:$2.8M

Arcplot Score Breakdown

Beat Timing Precision5.9/10
Emotional Arc Impact1/10
Thematic Consistency7/10
Overall Score4.6/10

Beat Sheet

15 plot points

Swiss Army Man Arcplot
1
Opening Image
1 min
2
Theme Stated
5 min
3
Set-Up
10 min
4
Catalyst
20 min
5
Debate
25 min
6
Break Into Two
30 min
7
B Story
40 min
8
Fun and Games
50 min
9
Midpoint
65 min
10
Bad Guys Close In
75 min
11
All Is Lost
85 min
12
Dark Night of the Soul
90 min
13
Break Into Three
92 min
14
Finale
95 min
15
Final Image
97 min

Emotional Arc

+100-10

Plot Points

#1

Opening Image

1 min

Hank, stranded on a deserted island, struggles with isolation and despair. The vast emptiness highlights his loneliness and yearning for connection.

#2

Theme Stated

5 min

Themes of friendship, self-discovery, and accepting the absurdity of life are introduced as Hank longs to return to society.

#3

Set-Up

10 min

Hank attempts to survive using his resourcefulness but feels hopeless. He dreams of normalcy, longing for human connection and purpose.

#4

Catalyst

20 min

Hank discovers Manny, a dead body with mysterious abilities. This bizarre turn opens the door to adventure, companionship, and self-exploration.

#5

Debate

25 min

Hank hesitates to trust Manny’s abilities and questions the nature of their companionship. The boundaries between absurdity and reality blur.

#6

Break Into Two

30 min

Hank embraces the surreal situation, using Manny to navigate the world and attempt a return to society. Their journey begins in earnest.

#7

B Story

40 min

Through absurd adventures and heartfelt interactions, Hank learns about friendship, trust, and the power of imagination in human connection.

#8

Fun and Games

50 min

Hank and Manny navigate comical and surreal challenges: floating down rivers, bizarre urban encounters, and inventive uses of Manny’s body. Absurdity meets creativity.

#9

Midpoint

65 min

Hank faces public scrutiny and isolation in society. The novelty of their companionship is challenged, highlighting vulnerability and personal stakes.

#10

Bad Guys Close In

75 min

External pressures, societal expectations, and internal doubt threaten Hank’s goals. His relationship with Manny is tested, forcing difficult choices.

#11

All Is Lost

85 min

Manny is lost or separated, and Hank feels utterly alone. The absurdity and fragility of life converge in a poignant low point.

#12

Dark Night of the Soul

90 min

Hank reflects on friendship, life, and what it means to connect. He embraces acceptance, resilience, and the absurdity of existence.

#13

Break Into Three

92 min

Hank reconciles with the world and creatively uses Manny’s abilities to resolve conflicts and find purpose, integrating lessons learned.

#14

Finale

95 min

Hank completes his journey, balancing absurdity with meaning. He gains self-awareness, acceptance, and emotional closure.

#15

Final Image

97 min

Hank stands reconciled with himself and the world, having navigated loss, absurdity, and companionship. The journey ends with humor and poignancy.