Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Plot unknown. Sequel to the 2018 film 'Aquaman.'
Despite a blockbuster budget of $205.0M, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom became a solid performer, earning $440.2M worldwide—a 115% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, illustrating how audiences embrace unique voice even at blockbuster scale.
1 win & 6 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 and the Lost Kingdom (2023) exhibits precise plot construction, 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 4 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Arthur Curry / Aquaman
Orm Marius
David Kane / Black Manta
Mera
Thomas Curry
Dr. Stephen Shin
Main Cast & Characters
Arthur Curry / Aquaman
Played by Jason Momoa
King of Atlantis who must team up with his imprisoned half-brother to stop a global catastrophe and protect his family.
Orm Marius
Played by Patrick Wilson
Arthur's half-brother and former Ocean Master, now imprisoned but recruited to help stop Black Manta.
David Kane / Black Manta
Played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Vengeful mercenary wielding ancient Black Trident technology, seeking to destroy Aquaman and unleash climate devastation.
Mera
Played by Amber Heard
Warrior queen of Atlantis, Arthur's wife and mother to their son, defending the kingdom in his absence.
Thomas Curry
Played by Temuera Morrison
Arthur's human father and lighthouse keeper who provides wisdom and emotional grounding.
Dr. Stephen Shin
Played by Randall Park
Marine biologist obsessed with Atlantis, now working reluctantly with Black Manta.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Arthur Curry balances his duties as King of Atlantis and father to his infant son, showcasing his life as a family man and reluctant ruler.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Black Manta discovers the Black Trident and becomes possessed by its dark power, gaining the ability to threaten all of Atlantis with ancient magic and climate devastation.. 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 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Arthur makes the difficult choice to break Orm out of prison, committing to an uneasy alliance with his former enemy and accepting that he cannot protect Atlantis alone., moving from reaction to action.
At 61 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The brothers discover the location of the Lost Kingdom of Necrus but are ambushed by Black Manta. The stakes raise dramatically as they realize the scope of Manta's plan to melt the polar ice caps., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 92 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Black Manta activates the ancient technology, beginning the catastrophic climate event. Orm is seemingly lost/sacrifices himself to save Arthur, and Arthur faces the villain alone having lost his brother just as they bonded., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 99 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Arthur receives help from unexpected allies (possibly Orm returns, or other kingdoms unite). He synthesizes his understanding of family bonds with his role as king to mount a final assault., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom'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 and the Lost Kingdom 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 and the Lost Kingdom 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 and the Lost Kingdom represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. 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 balances his duties as King of Atlantis and father to his infant son, showcasing his life as a family man and reluctant ruler.
Theme
Mera tells Arthur that 'even kings need family' - establishing the theme about brotherhood, family bonds, and the necessity of collaboration over isolation.
Worldbuilding
Establish Arthur's new life as king, his relationship with Mera and their son, and introduce the threat of Black Manta seeking revenge while discovering ancient Atlantean technology.
Disruption
Black Manta discovers the Black Trident and becomes possessed by its dark power, gaining the ability to threaten all of Atlantis with ancient magic and climate devastation.
Resistance
Arthur debates whether to seek help from his imprisoned brother Orm. He resists at first but recognizes he needs Orm's knowledge of ancient Atlantean history and the ocean kingdoms.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Arthur makes the difficult choice to break Orm out of prison, committing to an uneasy alliance with his former enemy and accepting that he cannot protect Atlantis alone.
Mirror World
Orm experiences the surface world (eating a burger, seeing the desert) and begins to understand Arthur's perspective. Their brotherly dynamic begins to shift from antagonism to reluctant partnership.
Premise
Arthur and Orm embark on a globe-trotting adventure seeking information about the Lost Kingdom. Buddy-comedy dynamics emerge as they clash and bond while following clues to stop Black Manta.
Midpoint
The brothers discover the location of the Lost Kingdom of Necrus but are ambushed by Black Manta. The stakes raise dramatically as they realize the scope of Manta's plan to melt the polar ice caps.
Opposition
Black Manta gains more power and begins his plan. Arthur and Orm's past conflicts resurface, threatening their alliance. The environmental catastrophe accelerates and Atlantis faces internal political pressure.
Collapse
Black Manta activates the ancient technology, beginning the catastrophic climate event. Orm is seemingly lost/sacrifices himself to save Arthur, and Arthur faces the villain alone having lost his brother just as they bonded.
Crisis
Arthur processes the loss of Orm and contemplates failure. He realizes that his brother's sacrifice embodies the film's theme about family and that he must honor Orm by embracing collaboration over solo heroism.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Arthur receives help from unexpected allies (possibly Orm returns, or other kingdoms unite). He synthesizes his understanding of family bonds with his role as king to mount a final assault.
Synthesis
Arthur leads a united force against Black Manta. The finale combines massive underwater battles, the brothers working together, and Arthur fully embracing both his surface and Atlantean heritage to defeat the threat.
Transformation
Arthur is shown as a transformed king - no longer reluctant, now surrounded by family (Mera, his son, and reconciled with Orm), leading a unified Atlantis that works with surface world allies.