Aquaman
Born upon the shores of the surface world, Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) discovers that he is only half human, with the other half of his blood being of Atlanteean descent, thus making him the rightful heir to the throne of the undersea kingdom of Atlantis. However, Arthur learns that Atlantis is being ruled by his malicious half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson), who seeks to unite the seven underwater kingdoms and wage war upon the surface. With aid from Nuidis Vulko (Willem Dafoe) and the gorgeous Mera (Amber Heard), Arthur must discover the full potential of his true destiny and become Aquaman in order to save Atlantis and the surface from Orm's evil plot.
Despite a blockbuster budget of $160.0M, Aquaman became a commercial juggernaut, earning $1152.0M worldwide—a remarkable 620% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, confirming that audiences embrace compelling narrative even at blockbuster scale.
3 wins & 36 nominations
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%)
Aquaman (2018) showcases carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of James Wan's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 23 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Arthur Curry / Aquaman
Mera
King Orm / Ocean Master
Black Manta / David Kane
Vulko
Queen Atlanna
Thomas Curry
Main Cast & Characters
Arthur Curry / Aquaman
Played by Jason Momoa
Half-human, half-Atlantean heir to the underwater kingdom who must prevent war between the ocean and surface world.
Mera
Played by Amber Heard
Warrior princess of Xebel who becomes Arthur's ally and guide to Atlantean politics and heritage.
King Orm / Ocean Master
Played by Patrick Wilson
Arthur's half-brother and current King of Atlantis who seeks to unite the underwater kingdoms against the surface world.
Black Manta / David Kane
Played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Ruthless pirate and mercenary seeking revenge against Aquaman for his father's death.
Vulko
Played by Willem Dafoe
Atlantean vizier and mentor who trained Arthur in combat and Atlantean ways since childhood.
Queen Atlanna
Played by Nicole Kidman
Arthur's mother, former Queen of Atlantis who fled to the surface world and fell in love with a human.
Thomas Curry
Played by Temuera Morrison
Lighthouse keeper and Arthur's human father who raised him after Atlanna returned to Atlantis.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Arthur Curry lives as a half-human, half-Atlantean outcast in a coastal Maine town, working as a fisherman and local hero who saves sailors from pirates, embracing his surface life while rejecting his underwater heritage.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 17 minutes when Mera arrives from Atlantis to warn Arthur that his half-brother Orm is planning to unite the underwater kingdoms to declare war on the surface world, requiring Arthur to claim his rightful throne.. At 12% 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 36 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Arthur agrees to accompany Mera to Atlantis to challenge Orm in the Ring of Fire - actively choosing to enter the underwater world and accept his role as a potential king., moving from reaction to action.
At 72 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Arthur and Mera retrieve the ancient cylinder containing the map to the Trident from the Sahara Desert, gaining hope that they can find the weapon to stop Orm - a false victory as they don't yet know the true cost of the journey ahead., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 107 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Arthur confronts Karathen, the mythical guardian of the Trident, who declares him unworthy and nearly kills him - seemingly destroying his last hope of stopping the war and proving he belongs in either world., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 114 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Arthur proves himself worthy by speaking to Karathen with honesty and compassion rather than bravado, claiming the Trident of Atlan and transforming into the true Aquaman - synthesizing his human heart with his Atlantean power., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Aquaman'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 Aquaman against these established plot points, we can identify how James Wan utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Aquaman within the action genre.
James Wan's Structural Approach
Among the 10 James Wan films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Aquaman takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete James Wan filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more James Wan analyses, see Furious 7, Dead Silence and Death Sentence.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Arthur Curry lives as a half-human, half-Atlantean outcast in a coastal Maine town, working as a fisherman and local hero who saves sailors from pirates, embracing his surface life while rejecting his underwater heritage.
Theme
Tom Curry tells young Arthur that his mother Atlanna said he would "unite the two worlds" - establishing the central theme of bridging divided worlds and accepting one's dual identity.
Worldbuilding
Flashbacks reveal Arthur's origin: Atlanna's escape from Atlantis, her love with Tom Curry, Arthur's birth, and her forced return to the sea. Present-day sequences show Arthur using his powers to fight pirates and his reluctant relationship with his Atlantean heritage.
Disruption
Mera arrives from Atlantis to warn Arthur that his half-brother Orm is planning to unite the underwater kingdoms to declare war on the surface world, requiring Arthur to claim his rightful throne.
Resistance
Arthur resists the call, dismissing his Atlantean heritage and responsibility. Mera persists, explaining the political machinations of Orm and King Nereus. An attack by Orm's forces demonstrates the threat is real, forcing Arthur to reconsider.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Arthur agrees to accompany Mera to Atlantis to challenge Orm in the Ring of Fire - actively choosing to enter the underwater world and accept his role as a potential king.
Mirror World
Mera becomes Arthur's guide and romantic interest, representing the Atlantean world he must learn to accept. Their partnership embodies the theme of two worlds coming together through understanding and connection.
Premise
Arthur and Mera explore Atlantis' grandeur, fight in the Ring of Fire where Arthur is defeated by Orm, escape through underwater chases and surface-world adventures in Sicily, and begin their quest for the legendary Trident of Atlan - the "fun and games" of underwater spectacle and globe-trotting adventure.
Midpoint
Arthur and Mera retrieve the ancient cylinder containing the map to the Trident from the Sahara Desert, gaining hope that they can find the weapon to stop Orm - a false victory as they don't yet know the true cost of the journey ahead.
Opposition
Orm consolidates power by convincing King Nereus to join him, uniting the kingdoms for war. Black Manta pursues Arthur and Mera with advanced Atlantean technology. Arthur and Mera journey to the Trench, face deadly creatures, and reach the Hidden Sea, where the stakes and dangers escalate.
Collapse
Arthur confronts Karathen, the mythical guardian of the Trident, who declares him unworthy and nearly kills him - seemingly destroying his last hope of stopping the war and proving he belongs in either world.
Crisis
In his darkest moment, Arthur must confront what it truly means to be worthy - not through strength or birthright, but through accepting both sides of himself and choosing to protect both worlds despite rejection from each.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Arthur proves himself worthy by speaking to Karathen with honesty and compassion rather than bravado, claiming the Trident of Atlan and transforming into the true Aquaman - synthesizing his human heart with his Atlantean power.
Synthesis
Arthur returns to stop the surface-Atlantean war, commands the creatures of the sea, defeats Orm in single combat without killing him, and takes his place as the rightful king of Atlantis, uniting the kingdoms and preventing war.
Transformation
Arthur stands as King of Atlantis in his iconic armor, with Mera by his side, having fully embraced both his human and Atlantean heritage - transformed from a reluctant outcast into a bridge between two worlds.