By Noelle Buffam · October 29, 2010
Screenplay Genre: Horror / Mystery / Thriller
Movie Time: 109 minutes
1. INCITING INCIDENT
Fed up with her life, Marion Crane steals $40,000 from her employer and runs away. (00:13:42)
2. LOCK IN (End of Act One)
Marion finds it hard to drive in the rainstorm and decides to stop at the Bates Motel. She checks into the motel for the night and meets Norman Bates. (00:29:10)
3. FIRST CULMINATION (Midpoint)
Marion is stabbed to death in the shower by an old woman, presumably Norman's mother, Mrs. Bates. (00:47:45)
4. MAIN CULMINATION (End of Act Two)
Det. Arbogast returns to the motel to question Mrs. Bates. As he approaches her bedroom, she stabs him to death. (01:17:45)
5. THIRD ACT TWIST
Marion's sister and boyfriend visit the sheriff, and we discover that Mrs. Bates has been "dead and buried" for 10 years, with Norman impersonating her. (01:24:25)
