47 Meters Down
Two sisters on Mexican vacation are trapped in a shark observation cage at the bottom of the ocean, with oxygen running low and great whites circling nearby, they have less than an hour of air left to figure out how to get to the surface.
Despite its limited budget of $5.5M, 47 Meters Down became a commercial juggernaut, earning $62.2M worldwide—a remarkable 1031% return. The film's innovative storytelling engaged audiences, demonstrating 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%)
47 Meters Down (2017) exemplifies precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Johannes Roberts'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 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Lisa
Kate
Captain Taylor
Main Cast & Characters
Lisa
Played by Mandy Moore
A cautious young woman trapped underwater in a shark cage, struggling with self-doubt and relationship issues.
Kate
Played by Claire Holt
Lisa's adventurous younger sister who pushes her sibling to take risks and live more spontaneously.
Captain Taylor
Played by Matthew Modine
The dive boat captain who operates the shark cage diving expedition off the coast of Mexico.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Lisa arrives in Mexico heartbroken and insecure after her boyfriend broke up with her, establishing her emotional vulnerability and need for validation.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Kate proposes they go shark cage diving, presenting an opportunity that terrifies Lisa but promises excitement and a chance to prove herself.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. 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 demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Lisa makes the active choice to enter the shark cage despite her fears, descending into the water and crossing into the dangerous underwater world., moving from reaction to action.
At 45 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Kate successfully swims up to get help and returns with spare tanks, raising stakes with hope of rescue. But this false victory introduces nitrogen narcosis danger and the reality that rescue is uncertain, making everything harder., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Kate is killed by sharks after being attacked, her light going out in the darkness. Lisa is completely alone on the ocean floor with no air, no hope, and no sister—her darkest moment with literal death., 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 79% of the runtime. Lisa finds new resolve through Kate's memory and her own transformed courage. She chooses to fight for survival, making the dangerous ascent despite sharks and decompression risk, synthesizing Kate's bravery with her own will to live., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
47 Meters Down's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping 47 Meters Down against these established plot points, we can identify how Johannes Roberts utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish 47 Meters Down within the horror genre.
Johannes Roberts's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Johannes Roberts films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. 47 Meters Down takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Johannes Roberts filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Thinner, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Mary Reilly. For more Johannes Roberts analyses, see The Strangers: Prey at Night, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City and 47 Meters Down: Uncaged.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Lisa arrives in Mexico heartbroken and insecure after her boyfriend broke up with her, establishing her emotional vulnerability and need for validation.
Theme
Kate tells Lisa "You need to do something crazy" and "Live a little," establishing the theme of taking risks versus playing it safe.
Worldbuilding
The sisters' contrasting personalities are established: adventurous Kate versus cautious Lisa. They meet local men and explore the vacation setting, showing Lisa's reluctance to take risks.
Disruption
Kate proposes they go shark cage diving, presenting an opportunity that terrifies Lisa but promises excitement and a chance to prove herself.
Resistance
Lisa debates the dangerous dive, expressing fears about safety and the sketchy operation. Kate pushes her to be brave. They meet Captain Taylor and see the rusty equipment, but peer pressure and Lisa's desire to impress Stuart override caution.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Lisa makes the active choice to enter the shark cage despite her fears, descending into the water and crossing into the dangerous underwater world.
Mirror World
The sisters bond in the cage underwater, with Kate encouraging Lisa and their relationship deepening in this extreme environment that will test their connection and survival.
Premise
The promise of the premise: shark diving excitement turns to escalating danger. Initial thrills with sharks, then the winch cable breaks and the cage plummets to 47 meters. The sisters realize they're trapped on the ocean floor with limited air, surrounded by sharks, beyond radio range.
Midpoint
Kate successfully swims up to get help and returns with spare tanks, raising stakes with hope of rescue. But this false victory introduces nitrogen narcosis danger and the reality that rescue is uncertain, making everything harder.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies as air runs lower, nitrogen narcosis affects judgment, sharks attack repeatedly, and rescue attempts fail. Lisa must leave the cage's safety, Kate is dragged away by a shark, and Lisa's fears and limitations are brutally tested.
Collapse
Kate is killed by sharks after being attacked, her light going out in the darkness. Lisa is completely alone on the ocean floor with no air, no hope, and no sister—her darkest moment with literal death.
Crisis
Lisa processes devastating loss in the darkness, nearly giving up. She hallucinates from narcosis, hearing Kate's voice encouraging her, reflecting on what she's learned about courage and fighting for survival.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Lisa finds new resolve through Kate's memory and her own transformed courage. She chooses to fight for survival, making the dangerous ascent despite sharks and decompression risk, synthesizing Kate's bravery with her own will to live.
Synthesis
Lisa executes a desperate ascent, fighting off sharks, managing her air, and pushing through narcosis. She surfaces and is rescued by the Coast Guard, surviving the ordeal through newfound strength.
Transformation
Lisa wakes in a helicopter being rescued—but this is revealed as a nitrogen narcosis hallucination. She's still at 47 meters, having never escaped, dying in the cage as her light goes out. The cautious girl who needed to live dangerously dies because she finally took the risk.