The Terminator poster

The Terminator

1984107 minutesR
6.7
Arcplot Score
📊 Solid
Unverified
⭐ 8.1IMDb
🍅 100%Rotten Tomatoes
Ⓜ️ 84/100Metacritic
🎬 7.7TMDb
📊 10.9Popularity
🏆9 wins & 8 nominations total
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Directed by: James Cameron
Sent back from a dystopian 2029--where the cold machines have conquered the entire world--to 1984 Los Angeles, the indestructible cyborg-assassin known as the "Terminator" commences his deadly mission to kill humankind's most important woman: the unsuspecting Sarah Connor. However, from the same war-torn post-apocalyptic future comes a battle-scarred defender--Kyle Reese, a brave soldier of the human Resistance Army--bent on stopping the cybernetic killer from eliminating the world's last hope. But, the Terminator has no feelings, he doesn't sleep, and above all, he won't stop until he carries out his grim task. Does our future lie in our past?

Box Office

Budget:$6.4M
Revenue:$78.4M
Profit:$72.0M

Arcplot Score Breakdown

Beat Timing Precision5.6/10
Emotional Arc Impact7.5/10
Thematic Consistency7/10
Overall Score6.7/10

Beat Sheet

15 plot points

The Terminator Arcplot
1
Opening Image
1 min
2
Theme Stated
7 min
3
Set-Up
15 min
4
Catalyst
22 min
5
Debate
30 min
6
Break Into Two
38 min
7
B Story
48 min
8
Fun and Games
60 min
9
Midpoint
70 min
10
Bad Guys Close In
82 min
11
All Is Lost
95 min
12
Dark Night of the Soul
100 min
13
Break Into Three
102 min
14
Finale
105 min
15
Final Image
107 min

Emotional Arc

+100-10

Plot Points

#1

Opening Image

1 min

Los Angeles, 1984. Night. Unknown figure stalking Sarah Connor. Establishes ominous tone.

#2

Theme Stated

7 min

Kyle Reese explains survival, fate, and humanity's resistance. Theme: destiny, protection, human vs machine.

#3

Set-Up

15 min

Sarah Connor's mundane life interrupted. Friends unaware of danger. Kyle Reese arrives, warns her.

#4

Catalyst

22 min

Terminator sent from future begins killing. Immediate threat to Sarah's life; stakes life-and-death.

#5

Debate

30 min

Sarah and Kyle debate trust, disbelief, danger. Can she survive? Who can she trust?

#6

Break Into Two

38 min

Sarah goes on run with Kyle. Entering high-stakes action world.

#7

B Story

48 min

Kyle and Sarah connection grows; human emotional stakes amidst chase and survival.

#8

Fun and Games

60 min

Chases, escapes, hiding, strategizing against relentless Terminator; action set pieces and suspense.

#9

Midpoint

70 min

Terminator seemingly killed temporarily; false victory; Sarah believes safe; tension rises for next confrontation.

#10

Bad Guys Close In

82 min

Terminator repaired or relentless pursuit continues; stakes higher; emotional and physical tension peaks.

#11

All Is Lost

95 min

Terminator closes in; Kyle wounded; Sarah alone; lowest emotional and physical point.

#12

Dark Night of the Soul

100 min

Sarah reflects on survival, unborn John Connor, destiny; resolve hardens.

#13

Break Into Three

102 min

Sarah fights back, clever trap set; courage and resourcefulness peak.

#14

Finale

105 min

Sarah defeats Terminator; Kyle sacrifices; danger eliminated; survival achieved.

#15

Final Image

107 min

Sarah drives alone, pregnant with John; reflection on future; hope and resolve.