Big Game
N/A
The film underperformed commercially against its limited budget of $8.5M, earning $7.5M globally (-12% loss).
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%)
Big Game (2015) exemplifies strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Jalmari Helander's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 30 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Oskari
President William Alan Moore
Morris
Hazar
Herbert
Tapio
Main Cast & Characters
Oskari
Played by Onni Tommila
A 13-year-old Finnish boy on his rite of passage hunting trip who must protect the President after Air Force One crashes.
President William Alan Moore
Played by Samuel L. Jackson
The President of the United States who survives an attack on Air Force One and must rely on a young boy to survive.
Morris
Played by Ray Stevenson
A disgraced Secret Service agent and terrorist mastermind who orchestrates the attack on Air Force One.
Hazar
Played by Mehmet Kurtulus
A ruthless terrorist hunter tracking the President through the Finnish wilderness.
Herbert
Played by Jim Broadbent
A CIA analyst coordinating the rescue operation from a bunker, providing tactical support.
Tapio
Played by Jorma Tommila
Oskari's father and experienced hunter who doubts his son's abilities.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Young Oskari prepares for his traditional coming-of-age hunting trial in the Finnish wilderness, eager but physically weaker than his peers. His father, a legendary hunter, watches with concern as the boy struggles to draw a bow.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Air Force One is attacked by missiles launched by terrorists. The President is forced into an escape pod as the plane goes down, crash-landing in the remote Finnish wilderness where Oskari is conducting his hunting trial.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Oskari makes the active choice to help President Moore, declaring he will protect him and guide him through the wilderness. He abandons his original hunting quest to take on a far greater challenge - becoming the President's unlikely protector., moving from reaction to action.
At 45 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Hazar and his men capture both Oskari and President Moore. The terrorists reveal their plan to mount the President as a trophy - a false defeat that raises the stakes dramatically. Morris's full betrayal is exposed as he arrives to witness the President's humiliation., 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 (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Oskari and the President are trapped inside a large freezer, awaiting their fate as human trophies. All hope seems lost - Oskari has failed his hunting trial and failed to protect the President. The boy faces his darkest moment, feeling he has proven everyone right about his weakness., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Oskari realizes he still has his grandfather's hunting knife and his wilderness knowledge. Combining the President's determination with his own survival skills, they formulate an escape plan. Oskari embraces that true courage means fighting back regardless of the odds., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Big Game's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Big Game against these established plot points, we can identify how Jalmari Helander utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Big Game within the comedy genre.
Jalmari Helander's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Jalmari Helander films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Big Game represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jalmari Helander filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Jalmari Helander analyses, see Sisu.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young Oskari prepares for his traditional coming-of-age hunting trial in the Finnish wilderness, eager but physically weaker than his peers. His father, a legendary hunter, watches with concern as the boy struggles to draw a bow.
Theme
Oskari's father tells him that true courage isn't about strength or killing the biggest prey - it's about facing your fears and proving yourself when it matters most. The theme of finding inner courage despite physical limitations is established.
Worldbuilding
The film establishes two parallel worlds: Oskari's traditional Finnish village where boys must prove manhood through wilderness survival, and the high-tech world of Air Force One where President Moore travels with his Secret Service detail including the seemingly loyal agent Morris.
Disruption
Air Force One is attacked by missiles launched by terrorists. The President is forced into an escape pod as the plane goes down, crash-landing in the remote Finnish wilderness where Oskari is conducting his hunting trial.
Resistance
Oskari discovers the escape pod and the injured President inside. Meanwhile, the Pentagon scrambles to locate the President as they realize Morris has betrayed them. Oskari debates whether to help this strange American or continue his hunting trial.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Oskari makes the active choice to help President Moore, declaring he will protect him and guide him through the wilderness. He abandons his original hunting quest to take on a far greater challenge - becoming the President's unlikely protector.
Mirror World
The relationship between Oskari and President Moore deepens as they travel together. Moore, the most powerful man in the world, must rely on a 13-year-old boy for survival. Oskari becomes the mentor figure, teaching the President wilderness skills while learning that true leadership means protecting others.
Premise
The unlikely duo navigates the Finnish wilderness together, evading Hazar's terrorist group. Oskari uses his knowledge of the terrain while the President slowly recovers. Their bond grows as they face various obstacles, delivering on the premise of a boy protecting the President.
Midpoint
Hazar and his men capture both Oskari and President Moore. The terrorists reveal their plan to mount the President as a trophy - a false defeat that raises the stakes dramatically. Morris's full betrayal is exposed as he arrives to witness the President's humiliation.
Opposition
The terrorists transport their captives to a secret mountain facility. Hazar prepares his twisted trophy display while Morris gloats. The Pentagon tracks the signal but faces bureaucratic obstacles. The situation grows increasingly desperate as rescue seems impossible.
Collapse
Oskari and the President are trapped inside a large freezer, awaiting their fate as human trophies. All hope seems lost - Oskari has failed his hunting trial and failed to protect the President. The boy faces his darkest moment, feeling he has proven everyone right about his weakness.
Crisis
In their frozen prison, Oskari despairs that he couldn't live up to his father's legacy. President Moore, drawing on his own experiences of failure, encourages the boy not to give up. Their shared vulnerability creates a moment of genuine connection.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Oskari realizes he still has his grandfather's hunting knife and his wilderness knowledge. Combining the President's determination with his own survival skills, they formulate an escape plan. Oskari embraces that true courage means fighting back regardless of the odds.
Synthesis
Oskari and the President execute their daring escape. They battle Hazar and his men through the mountain facility, with Oskari proving his bravery at crucial moments. The climax involves a helicopter chase and confrontation where Oskari ultimately defeats Hazar, completing his true hunting trial.
Transformation
Oskari returns to his village as a hero, having brought back the ultimate trophy - not an animal, but having saved the President of the United States. His father and the village elders recognize him as a true man. President Moore personally honors him, confirming Oskari found the courage that was inside him all along.