Avengers: Endgame
After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the universe is in ruins due to the efforts of the Mad Titan, Thanos. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers must assemble once more in order to undo Thanos's actions and undo the chaos to the universe, no matter what consequences may be in store, and no matter who they face...
Despite a massive budget of $356.0M, Avengers: Endgame became a massive hit, earning $2799.4M worldwide—a remarkable 686% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, demonstrating that audiences embrace unique voice even at blockbuster scale.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 70 wins & 132 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%)
Avengers: Endgame (2019) exhibits strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of Anthony Russo's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 9-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 3 hours and 1 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 5.0, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Tony Stark / Iron Man
Steve Rogers / Captain America
Thor
Bruce Banner / Hulk
Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow
Clint Barton / Hawkeye
Scott Lang / Ant-Man
Nebula
James Rhodes / War Machine
Rocket Raccoon
Main Cast & Characters
Tony Stark / Iron Man
Played by Robert Downey Jr.
Genius billionaire who sacrifices himself to save the universe after leading the time heist mission.
Steve Rogers / Captain America
Played by Chris Evans
Moral leader of the Avengers who passes his shield to Sam Wilson before living his life with Peggy Carter.
Thor
Played by Chris Hemsworth
Asgardian god struggling with depression and guilt after failing to stop Thanos, eventually finding redemption.
Bruce Banner / Hulk
Played by Mark Ruffalo
Scientist who merges his intellect with Hulk's strength, becoming "Professor Hulk" and wielding the Infinity Gauntlet.
Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow
Played by Scarlett Johansson
Master spy who sacrifices herself on Vormir to obtain the Soul Stone for the team.
Clint Barton / Hawkeye
Played by Jeremy Renner
Archer who becomes a vigilante after losing his family, then helps retrieve the Soul Stone at great personal cost.
Scott Lang / Ant-Man
Played by Paul Rudd
Thief-turned-hero who escapes the Quantum Realm and proposes the time heist solution.
Nebula
Played by Karen Gillan
Adopted daughter of Thanos who betrays her past self to help the Avengers defeat her father.
James Rhodes / War Machine
Played by Don Cheadle
Military officer and Tony Stark's best friend who supports the Avengers through the time heist.
Rocket Raccoon
Played by Bradley Cooper
Genetically engineered raccoon and weapons expert who helps track down Thanos and retrieve the Aether.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Tony Stark drifts in space with Nebula, recording a farewell message to Pepper. The Avengers have failed, half of all life is gone, and Tony is dying alone in the darkness.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The Collapse moment at 118 minutes (65% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Thanos' warship bombards the Avengers compound, burying the heroes in rubble. Thanos emerges victorious with the Infinity Stones scattered. Clint is hunted by Thanos' forces in the underground tunnels. All seems lost - the whiff of death pervades as our heroes are separated, defeated, and vulnerable., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 129 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 71% of the runtime. The final battle. All heroes unite against Thanos and his forces. The Infinity Gauntlet is passed between heroes in an epic game of keep-away. Thanos reclaims the stones and prepares to snap. Tony realizes the only way to win and executes the ultimate sacrifice, wielding the Infinity Stones to dust Thanos and his army., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Avengers: Endgame's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 9 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Avengers: Endgame against these established plot points, we can identify how Anthony Russo utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Avengers: Endgame within the action genre.
Anthony Russo's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Anthony Russo films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.2, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Avengers: Endgame takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Anthony Russo filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Anthony Russo analyses, see You, Me and Dupree.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Tony Stark drifts in space with Nebula, recording a farewell message to Pepper. The Avengers have failed, half of all life is gone, and Tony is dying alone in the darkness.
Theme
Steve Rogers: "Some people move on. But not us." The theme of perseverance, refusing to accept defeat, and doing "whatever it takes" to restore what was lost is established.
Worldbuilding
The post-Snap world is established. Tony is rescued by Captain Marvel. The remaining Avengers locate Thanos and discover he destroyed the Infinity Stones. Thor kills Thanos. Five years pass showing the survivors trying to rebuild their lives in a broken world.
Resistance
The Avengers debate whether time travel is possible and whether they should attempt it. Steve and Natasha recruit Tony, who initially refuses. Bruce has merged with Hulk. Tony discovers time travel is possible through the Quantum Realm. The team assembles and plans the "Time Heist."
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The "Time Heist" in action - the promise of the premise. The Avengers split into teams and travel to different points in time to retrieve the Infinity Stones. Humor, nostalgia, and adventure as they revisit key moments from previous films, facing past versions of themselves and their enemies.
Opposition
Natasha sacrifices herself for the Soul Stone - the cost becomes real. The team builds the Infinity Gauntlet. 2014 Nebula's neural network connects to her future self, alerting 2014 Thanos to their plan. Past Thanos and his army travel to the present through 2014 Nebula's link. Pressure intensifies as the enemy closes in.
Collapse
Thanos' warship bombards the Avengers compound, burying the heroes in rubble. Thanos emerges victorious with the Infinity Stones scattered. Clint is hunted by Thanos' forces in the underground tunnels. All seems lost - the whiff of death pervades as our heroes are separated, defeated, and vulnerable.
Crisis
The dark night of the soul. Steve, Tony, and Thor face Thanos alone and are brutally beaten. Steve stands alone, shield broken, facing Thanos' entire army. This is the emotional low point where hope seems extinguished.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The final battle. All heroes unite against Thanos and his forces. The Infinity Gauntlet is passed between heroes in an epic game of keep-away. Thanos reclaims the stones and prepares to snap. Tony realizes the only way to win and executes the ultimate sacrifice, wielding the Infinity Stones to dust Thanos and his army.