Brave
Set in Scotland in a rugged and mythical time, this movie features Princess Merida (Kelly Macdonald), an aspiring archer and impetuous daughter of Queen Elinor (Dame Emma Thompson). Merida makes a reckless choice that unleashes unintended peril and forces her to spring into action to set things right.
Despite a blockbuster budget of $185.0M, Brave became a box office success, earning $539.0M worldwide—a 191% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, demonstrating that audiences embrace unique voice even at blockbuster scale.
1 Oscar. 20 wins & 48 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%)
Brave (2012) showcases precise story structure, characteristic of Mark Andrews's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 33 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Merida
Queen Elinor
King Fergus
The Witch
Main Cast & Characters
Merida
Played by Kelly Macdonald
A skilled archer and headstrong Scottish princess who defies tradition to forge her own path.
Queen Elinor
Played by Emma Thompson
Merida's mother, a regal and proper queen who values tradition and duty above all.
King Fergus
Played by Billy Connolly
Merida's boisterous father, a warrior king who lost his leg to the demon bear Mor'du.
The Witch
Played by Julie Walters
A mysterious woodcarver who provides Merida with a spell that has unexpected consequences.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Young Merida practices archery with her father King Fergus. Establishes her free spirit, love of archery, and close relationship with her father before the bear attack creates the family rift.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Elinor announces that the clans are coming and Merida will be betrothed to one of the firstborn sons through an archery competition. Merida's freedom is threatened by the tradition she must uphold.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. 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 demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Merida enters the competition herself and wins, humiliating the suitors and defying her mother. She makes an active choice to reject tradition and control her own fate, splitting the family tapestry., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Merida and Bear-Elinor return to the witch's cottage to find it abandoned. The riddle "Fate be changed, look inside, mend the bond torn by pride" is revealed. Stakes raise as they realize time is running out before Elinor becomes a bear permanently., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 70 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Elinor, now fully bear-minded, attacks Merida in a feral rage and is captured by Fergus. Merida believes she has lost her mother forever—a metaphorical death of their relationship and Elinor's humanity., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Merida realizes the riddle's answer: she must mend the family tapestry she split and break the cycle of pride with love. She synthesizes the lesson about fate—it's not about control but about connection and understanding., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Brave'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 Brave against these established plot points, we can identify how Mark Andrews utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Brave within the animation genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young Merida practices archery with her father King Fergus. Establishes her free spirit, love of archery, and close relationship with her father before the bear attack creates the family rift.
Theme
Queen Elinor tells young Merida: "Our fate lives within us. You only have to be brave enough to see it." The theme of controlling one's own destiny versus tradition is stated.
Worldbuilding
Teenage Merida defies her mother's lessons in princesshood. The world of medieval Scotland, clan politics, and the tension between Merida's wildness and Elinor's expectations for her daughter are established.
Disruption
Elinor announces that the clans are coming and Merida will be betrothed to one of the firstborn sons through an archery competition. Merida's freedom is threatened by the tradition she must uphold.
Resistance
The clans arrive, Merida resists the idea of marriage, and the suitors compete. Merida debates whether to accept her fate or rebel. Elinor attempts to guide her toward duty and tradition.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Merida enters the competition herself and wins, humiliating the suitors and defying her mother. She makes an active choice to reject tradition and control her own fate, splitting the family tapestry.
Mirror World
Merida follows the will o' the wisps into the forest and discovers the witch's cottage. The magical subplot that will teach her about the consequences of selfishness and the bond between mother and daughter begins.
Premise
Merida obtains the spell to "change her mother," Elinor eats the enchanted cake and transforms into a bear. Merida must hide her mother and search for a way to reverse the spell. The fun and danger of this premise play out.
Midpoint
Merida and Bear-Elinor return to the witch's cottage to find it abandoned. The riddle "Fate be changed, look inside, mend the bond torn by pride" is revealed. Stakes raise as they realize time is running out before Elinor becomes a bear permanently.
Opposition
Merida and Elinor bond in the forest while searching for answers. The clans are on the brink of war back at the castle. Fergus hunts bears, getting closer to discovering Elinor. The curse strengthens as Elinor becomes more feral.
Collapse
Elinor, now fully bear-minded, attacks Merida in a feral rage and is captured by Fergus. Merida believes she has lost her mother forever—a metaphorical death of their relationship and Elinor's humanity.
Crisis
Merida experiences her dark night, realizing her selfishness caused this catastrophe. She processes the potential permanent loss of her mother and understands what she must do to mend the bond torn by pride.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Merida realizes the riddle's answer: she must mend the family tapestry she split and break the cycle of pride with love. She synthesizes the lesson about fate—it's not about control but about connection and understanding.
Synthesis
Merida stops the clans from fighting, mends the tapestry, and breaks the spell through her declaration of love and understanding for her mother. Elinor transforms back as Merida proves she's learned to balance freedom with responsibility.
Transformation
Merida and Elinor ride horses together, both changed. Elinor has loosened her grip on tradition, Merida has embraced responsibility. They've found a new balance between freedom and duty, independence and connection.