Bigfoot Family
Bigfoot, Adam's father, wants to use his fame for a good cause. Protecting a large wildlife reserve in Alaska sounds like the perfect opportunity! When Bigfoot mysteriously disappears without a trace, Adam and his animal friends will brave anything to find him again and save the nature reserve.
The film underperformed commercially against its respectable budget of $17.5M, earning $10.9M globally (-38% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its distinctive approach within the animation genre.
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%)
Bigfoot Family (2020) demonstrates precise story structure, characteristic of Jérémie Degruson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 37 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Adam Harrison
Bigfoot / Adam Harrison Sr.
Shelly Harrison
Trapper
Wilbur
Connor Mandrake
Main Cast & Characters
Adam Harrison
Played by Pappy Faulkner
A teenage bigfoot struggling to find his identity while his father becomes a celebrity after being revealed to the world.
Bigfoot / Adam Harrison Sr.
Played by Doug Stone
Former hiding bigfoot turned environmental activist who goes missing while investigating an oil company in Alaska.
Shelly Harrison
Played by Laila Berzins
Adam's pragmatic mother who balances family life while her husband pursues activism and celebrity.
Trapper
Played by Chris Parson
A washed-up former bigfoot hunter who reluctantly helps the family on their rescue mission to Alaska.
Wilbur
Played by Joey Lotsko
A cheerful raccoon and Adam's loyal best friend who joins the rescue mission.
Connor Mandrake
Played by Steve Agee
The ruthless CEO of an oil company who captures Bigfoot to protect his corporate interests.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Adam is now a celebrity Bigfoot, appearing on talk shows and doing promotional events with his family. His son Adam Jr. Feels overshadowed and yearns for connection with his father.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Adam sees a news report about an Alaskan valley being destroyed by an oil company called X-Tract. Against his family's wishes, he impulsively decides to go there alone to be a "real hero" and protect the environment.. At 11% 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 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Adam Jr., Shelly, and Trapper make the active choice to travel to Alaska to find Adam and stop X-Tract. They leave their normal life behind and enter the dangerous corporate world., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False defeat: Adam is captured by X-Tract security and their CEO, revealing they have advanced technology to contain him. The family discovers Adam is missing and the stakes are raised - this isn't just about stopping pollution, it's about survival., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 72 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, X-Tract initiates their final destructive plan - a massive bomb to destroy the valley. Adam is helpless and weaponized against his will. The family is captured. All seems lost and the environment faces literal death., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 78% of the runtime. Adam Jr. Realizes he doesn't need to be like his father - he has his own gifts. By combining his unique ability to communicate with animals with the activist community's knowledge and his family's support, they can win together. Synthesis of individual power and collective action., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Bigfoot Family's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Bigfoot Family against these established plot points, we can identify how Jérémie Degruson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Bigfoot Family within the animation genre.
Jérémie Degruson's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Jérémie Degruson films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Bigfoot Family represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jérémie Degruson filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower. For more Jérémie Degruson analyses, see The Son of Bigfoot.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Adam is now a celebrity Bigfoot, appearing on talk shows and doing promotional events with his family. His son Adam Jr. feels overshadowed and yearns for connection with his father.
Theme
A character mentions that real heroism isn't about fame or glory, but about protecting what matters. Adam Jr. hears this but his father is too busy with celebrity life to notice.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the Harrison family dynamic post-first film. Adam is famous, doing commercials and appearances. Shelly tries to hold the family together. Adam Jr. struggles with his identity and powers. Trapper provides comic relief.
Disruption
Adam sees a news report about an Alaskan valley being destroyed by an oil company called X-Tract. Against his family's wishes, he impulsively decides to go there alone to be a "real hero" and protect the environment.
Resistance
The family debates whether to go after Adam. Adam Jr. wants to help his father. Shelly is hesitant. Trapper gathers intel about Alaska. They discover X-Tract is more dangerous than they thought, with corporate security and weapons.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Adam Jr., Shelly, and Trapper make the active choice to travel to Alaska to find Adam and stop X-Tract. They leave their normal life behind and enter the dangerous corporate world.
Mirror World
Adam Jr. meets Wilbur and the animal activists who are peacefully protesting X-Tract. They represent the thematic ideal: working together, respecting nature, and making real change through community rather than individual glory.
Premise
The fun "eco-adventure" portion. Adam fights against X-Tract using guerrilla tactics. The family searches for Adam while learning about the activist movement. Adam Jr. discovers his own abilities and bonds with the animals. Comedy with Trapper and the activists.
Midpoint
False defeat: Adam is captured by X-Tract security and their CEO, revealing they have advanced technology to contain him. The family discovers Adam is missing and the stakes are raised - this isn't just about stopping pollution, it's about survival.
Opposition
X-Tract tightens their grip. The CEO plans to exploit Adam for corporate gain. Adam Jr. and family try multiple rescue attempts that fail. The activists are threatened. Internal conflict as Adam Jr. doubts himself and Shelly questions if they can win against a corporation.
Collapse
X-Tract initiates their final destructive plan - a massive bomb to destroy the valley. Adam is helpless and weaponized against his will. The family is captured. All seems lost and the environment faces literal death.
Crisis
Dark night of the soul. Adam Jr. processes his fear and inadequacy. Brief moment of despair where the family considers they might fail. Quiet reflection on what really matters - not fame, but family and protecting home.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Adam Jr. realizes he doesn't need to be like his father - he has his own gifts. By combining his unique ability to communicate with animals with the activist community's knowledge and his family's support, they can win together. Synthesis of individual power and collective action.
Synthesis
The finale. Adam Jr. leads the animals in a coordinated attack. Trapper and Shelly disable X-Tract's technology. The activists expose the corporation to the media. Adam breaks free. Together they stop the bomb and save the valley. The CEO is defeated.
Transformation
Mirror of opening: The family is together, but now Adam understands that being present for his son is the real heroism. Adam Jr. is confident in his identity. They're no longer chasing fame but living authentically. The valley is protected through community, not individual glory.