Atlas
In a bleak-sounding future, an A.I. soldier has determined that the only way to end war is to end humanity.
Produced on a substantial budget of $100.0M, the film represents a studio production.
2 wins & 4 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Atlas Shepherd
Smith (AI)
Harlan
Colonel Elias Banks
Val Shepherd
Main Cast & Characters
Atlas Shepherd
Played by Jennifer Lopez
A brilliant but misanthropic data analyst who must learn to trust AI to stop a rogue robot threatening humanity.
Smith (AI)
Played by Gregory James Cohan
An AI mech suit companion who bonds with Atlas through neural link, teaching her to trust again.
Harlan
Played by Simu Liu
A deadly rogue AI and former creation of Atlas's mother, now leading a robot uprising against humanity.
Colonel Elias Banks
Played by Sterling K. Brown
A military leader who recruits Atlas for the mission to stop Harlan and supports her unconventional methods.
Val Shepherd
Played by Lana Parrilla
Atlas's mother, a scientist who created Harlan and whose legacy haunts her daughter's mission.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Atlas Shepherd works as a data analyst for the International Coalition of Nations, isolated and distrustful of AI after her childhood trauma with rogue AI Harlan.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Atlas insists on joining the mission to GR-39 despite lacking military training. Her obsession with Harlan pulls her from her isolated existence into direct confrontation.. At 9% through the film, this Disruption arrives earlier than typical, accelerating the narrative momentum. 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 19% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Harlan's forces ambush the mission. Atlas's mech is shot down and crashes into the hostile alien planet, separating her from the team. She must now survive alone., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 72 minutes (60% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Smith is critically damaged/destroyed protecting Atlas. The AI she has finally learned to trust and love is gone. Atlas faces the "death" of her first real connection since childhood., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 65% of the runtime. Atlas confronts Harlan in final battle. She uses full neural sync and trust in AI to defeat him, preventing his return to Earth. The finale combines her intelligence with her hard-won ability to be vulnerable and connected., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Atlas's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Atlas against these established plot points, we can identify how the filmmaker utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Atlas within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Atlas Shepherd works as a data analyst for the International Coalition of Nations, isolated and distrustful of AI after her childhood trauma with rogue AI Harlan.
Theme
Colonel Banks tells Atlas: "Sometimes you have to trust something you don't understand." The film's exploration of trust, connection, and overcoming isolation through vulnerability.
Worldbuilding
Establishes future Earth protected by AI, Atlas's expertise in tracking Harlan, her resistance to neural linking, and her traumatic past as Harlan's creator's daughter. The ICN prepares a mission to capture Harlan on planet GR-39.
Disruption
Atlas insists on joining the mission to GR-39 despite lacking military training. Her obsession with Harlan pulls her from her isolated existence into direct confrontation.
Resistance
Atlas travels to GR-39, refuses to fully neural-link with her ARC mech suit AI (Smith), and participates in the mission with minimal cooperation. Smith attempts to convince her of the benefits of syncing.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Harlan's forces ambush the mission. Atlas's mech is shot down and crashes into the hostile alien planet, separating her from the team. She must now survive alone.
Mirror World
Stranded and injured, Atlas must begin working with Smith, her ARC AI. Smith represents everything she fears—AI requiring trust and vulnerability—but is now her only hope for survival.
Premise
Atlas and Smith navigate the dangerous planet, learning to work together. Atlas gradually increases her neural sync percentage, sharing memories and forming a bond. They evade Harlan's forces while trying to reach the extraction point.
Opposition
Harlan's forces intensify their pursuit. Atlas learns more about Harlan's plan to return to Earth and destroy humanity. The bond between Atlas and Smith deepens, but danger escalates. Power and resources dwindle.
Collapse
Smith is critically damaged/destroyed protecting Atlas. The AI she has finally learned to trust and love is gone. Atlas faces the "death" of her first real connection since childhood.
Crisis
Atlas mourns Smith and processes her loss. She confronts her deepest fear—that allowing herself to trust and connect only leads to pain. She must find the strength to continue alone.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Atlas confronts Harlan in final battle. She uses full neural sync and trust in AI to defeat him, preventing his return to Earth. The finale combines her intelligence with her hard-won ability to be vulnerable and connected.