Blood and Chocolate
In Bucharest, Romania, the orphan Vivian was raised by her aunt after losing her parents ten years ago in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado. Her family belongs to a bloodline of werewolves and Vivian is promised to the leader of the pack, Gabriel. When the American cartoonist Aiden, who is researching werewolves for his publisher for the next edition of his magazine, meets Vivian, they immediately fall in love for each other. However, the evil son of Gabriel and Vivian's cousin Rafe poisons Gabriel about the love of Vivian, forcing her to choose between her bounds with her family and her passion for Aiden.
The film commercial failure against its mid-range budget of $15.0M, earning $6.3M globally (-58% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its fresh perspective within the drama 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%)
Blood and Chocolate (2007) demonstrates strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Katja von Garnier's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 38 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.5, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Vivian
Aiden
Gabriel
Rafe
Astrid
Main Cast & Characters
Vivian
Played by Agnes Bruckner
A young loup-garoux who struggles between her werewolf heritage and desire for a normal life with a human artist.
Aiden
Played by Hugh Dancy
An American graphic novelist researching werewolf mythology in Bucharest who falls in love with Vivian.
Gabriel
Played by Olivier Martinez
The powerful alpha of the werewolf pack who expects Vivian to become his mate and continue the bloodline.
Rafe
Played by Bryan Dick
A rebellious young werewolf who loves Vivian and resents Gabriel's authority over the pack.
Astrid
Played by Katja Riemann
Vivian's cousin and confidante within the pack, who questions the traditional ways.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Vivian runs through Bucharest as a wolf, free and powerful. She lives a double life - human by day working in a chocolate shop, werewolf by night with her pack. Her world is one of secrecy and longing.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Vivian meets Aiden, an American graphic novelist researching werewolf lore in Bucharest. Their chemistry is immediate and dangerous - he represents everything forbidden to her world, yet she's drawn to him.. 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 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Vivian makes the active choice to pursue a relationship with Aiden despite the danger. She agrees to see him again, crossing the line from curiosity into commitment. This irreversible decision launches the forbidden romance., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False defeat: Aiden discovers Vivian's true nature when he witnesses her transform or the pack attacks. The secret is out. Simultaneously, Gabriel declares Vivian must participate in The Ordeal and become his mate. Stakes skyrocket - both worlds now know about her dual life., 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 (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Whiff of death: A pack member dies, or Aiden is captured and faces execution by the pack. Vivian realizes her attempt to bridge both worlds has led to tragedy. Everything collapses - she's lost her place in the pack and endangered the man she loves., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 77 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Synthesis/revelation: Vivian realizes she doesn't have to choose between being werewolf or human-loving - she can be both on her own terms. She rejects Gabriel's claim and the pack's rigid laws, embracing her full identity. She chooses to fight for her right to love Aiden., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Blood and Chocolate'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 Blood and Chocolate against these established plot points, we can identify how Katja von Garnier utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Blood and Chocolate within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Vivian runs through Bucharest as a wolf, free and powerful. She lives a double life - human by day working in a chocolate shop, werewolf by night with her pack. Her world is one of secrecy and longing.
Theme
Vivian's aunt Astrid tells her: "You can't run from what you are." This establishes the central theme of identity and belonging - can Vivian bridge two worlds or must she choose one?
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the werewolf pack society in Bucharest. Gabriel is the pack leader preparing for "The Ordeal" to choose his mate. Vivian works at a chocolate shop, hiding her true nature. Pack politics and tensions are established, along with Vivian's grief over her family's death.
Disruption
Vivian meets Aiden, an American graphic novelist researching werewolf lore in Bucharest. Their chemistry is immediate and dangerous - he represents everything forbidden to her world, yet she's drawn to him.
Resistance
Vivian debates getting involved with Aiden. She knows pack law forbids relationships with humans. Gabriel expresses interest in making her his mate. She resists both - the human connection and the pack expectation - while being drawn deeper into conversations with Aiden.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Vivian makes the active choice to pursue a relationship with Aiden despite the danger. She agrees to see him again, crossing the line from curiosity into commitment. This irreversible decision launches the forbidden romance.
Mirror World
Vivian and Aiden's first real date. Through Aiden, Vivian experiences human normalcy - art, conversation, possibility of a different life. He becomes the mirror that reflects who she could be outside the pack, embodying the theme of choosing one's own identity.
Premise
The forbidden romance unfolds. Vivian explores life with Aiden while hiding her true nature. She experiences human love and freedom. Meanwhile, pack tensions rise as Gabriel becomes suspicious and jealous. The fun of the secret romance plays out against growing danger.
Midpoint
False defeat: Aiden discovers Vivian's true nature when he witnesses her transform or the pack attacks. The secret is out. Simultaneously, Gabriel declares Vivian must participate in The Ordeal and become his mate. Stakes skyrocket - both worlds now know about her dual life.
Opposition
Gabriel and the pack hunt Aiden. Vivian tries to protect him while managing pack politics. The pack sees Aiden as a threat to their secrecy and existence. Gabriel pressures Vivian to choose the pack. Opposition closes in from all sides - she can't maintain both worlds.
Collapse
Whiff of death: A pack member dies, or Aiden is captured and faces execution by the pack. Vivian realizes her attempt to bridge both worlds has led to tragedy. Everything collapses - she's lost her place in the pack and endangered the man she loves.
Crisis
Vivian's dark night. She faces the consequence of her choices. She must process the loss and decide who she truly is - werewolf bound by pack law, or an individual who chooses her own path. The old Vivian who tried to please everyone must die.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Synthesis/revelation: Vivian realizes she doesn't have to choose between being werewolf or human-loving - she can be both on her own terms. She rejects Gabriel's claim and the pack's rigid laws, embracing her full identity. She chooses to fight for her right to love Aiden.
Synthesis
Final confrontation with Gabriel and the pack. Vivian fights for her autonomy and Aiden's life. She defeats Gabriel in combat or outsmarts the pack, proving she can be both werewolf and her own person. She rescues Aiden and claims her freedom from pack tyranny.
Transformation
Closing image mirrors opening: Vivian runs through Bucharest, but now she runs toward Aiden, choosing love and freedom. She's no longer torn between worlds - she's integrated both parts of herself. She's transformed from someone hiding her nature to someone who embraces all of who she is.