Capernaum
Capernaüm ("Chaos") tells the story of Zain (Zain al-Rafeea), a Lebanese boy who sues his parents for the "crime" of giving him life. The film follows Zain as he journeys from gutsy, streetwise child to hardened 12-year-old "adult" fleeing his negligent parents, surviving through his wits on the streets, where he meets Ethiopian migrant worker Rahil, who provides him with shelter and food, as Zain takes care of her baby son Yonas in return. Zain later gets jailed for committing a violent crime, and finally seeks justice in a courtroom.
Despite its tight budget of $4.0M, Capernaum became a box office phenomenon, earning $65.0M worldwide—a remarkable 1524% return. The film's unique voice resonated with audiences, demonstrating that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 37 wins & 55 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%)
Capernaum (2018) demonstrates strategically placed story structure, characteristic of Nadine Labaki's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 6 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 4.2, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Zain El Hajj
Rahil
Yonas
Souad
Selim
Sahar
Aspro
Nadine
Main Cast & Characters
Zain El Hajj
Played by Zain Al Rafeea
A 12-year-old boy living in the slums of Beirut who sues his parents for giving him life in poverty and neglect.
Rahil
Played by Yordanos Shiferaw
An undocumented Ethiopian migrant worker who takes in Zain when he runs away, trading childcare for a place to stay.
Yonas
Played by Boluwatife Treasure Bankole
Rahil's infant son whom Zain cares for while she works, forming a deep bond despite the harsh circumstances.
Souad
Played by Kawsar Al Haddad
Zain's mother, overwhelmed and complicit in selling her daughter, trapped in cycles of poverty and pregnancy.
Selim
Played by Fadi Yousef
Zain's father, abusive and negligent, representing systemic failure of parental responsibility in desperate poverty.
Sahar
Played by Cedra Izam
Zain's 11-year-old sister who is sold into marriage to their landlord, sparking Zain's flight from home.
Aspro
Played by Nour El Husseini
The slumlord and predatory landlord who buys Sahar as a child bride in exchange for forgiving rent.
Nadine
Played by Nadine Labaki
The lawyer and advocate who represents Zain in court, helping give voice to his suffering.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Zain stands in a courtroom, declaring he wants to sue his parents. A doctor examines him and estimates his age at 12, though he has no birth certificate. The framing device establishes Zain's desperate circumstances and the broken system he exists within.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Zain discovers his parents plan to marry off his 11-year-old sister Sahar to their landlord Assaad in exchange for rent reduction. When he sees Sahar has gotten her first period, he desperately tries to hide it, knowing this will accelerate her forced marriage.. 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 22% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Unable to save Sahar and filled with rage at his parents' betrayal, Zain runs away from home. He takes a bus to Beirut's amusement park district, choosing to abandon his family and strike out alone rather than remain in a household that sells children., moving from reaction to action.
At 57 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 45% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Rahil is arrested by immigration authorities and does not return home. Zain waits for her with Yonas, but she never comes. He is now completely alone, responsible for an infant with no resources, no home, and no adults to turn to. The stakes have risen exponentially., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 85 minutes (67% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Faced with starvation and unable to care for Yonas any longer, Zain makes the devastating decision to give the baby to Aspro, who sells children and forges documents. Zain has become complicit in the very system that destroyed his own family—a symbolic death of his innocence and hope., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 90 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 72% of the runtime. Consumed by grief and rage over Sahar's death, Zain takes a knife and stabs Assaad, the man who married and impregnated his sister. This violent act is his breaking point—he can no longer be passive. He is arrested and sent to juvenile detention., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Capernaum'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 Capernaum against these established plot points, we can identify how Nadine Labaki utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Capernaum within the drama genre.
Nadine Labaki's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Nadine Labaki films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.2, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Capernaum takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Nadine Labaki filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include After Thomas, South Pacific and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. For more Nadine Labaki analyses, see Where Do We Go Now?, Caramel.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Zain stands in a courtroom, declaring he wants to sue his parents. A doctor examines him and estimates his age at 12, though he has no birth certificate. The framing device establishes Zain's desperate circumstances and the broken system he exists within.
Theme
The judge asks Zain why he is suing his parents. He responds: "For giving me life." This stark statement encapsulates the film's thematic core—the crime of bringing children into a world of poverty and neglect where they cannot be properly cared for.
Worldbuilding
We flash back to Zain's life in the slums of Beirut. He lives with his large family in squalid conditions, running errands for a local shopkeeper, hustling on the streets, and caring for his younger sister Sahar. The parents are neglectful and abusive, treating children as commodities.
Disruption
Zain discovers his parents plan to marry off his 11-year-old sister Sahar to their landlord Assaad in exchange for rent reduction. When he sees Sahar has gotten her first period, he desperately tries to hide it, knowing this will accelerate her forced marriage.
Resistance
Zain fights desperately to protect Sahar, hiding evidence of her menstruation and pleading with his mother not to give her away. His parents dismiss his protests. The debate within Zain intensifies—should he stay and accept this horrific reality, or escape? He watches helplessly as Sahar is taken away.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Unable to save Sahar and filled with rage at his parents' betrayal, Zain runs away from home. He takes a bus to Beirut's amusement park district, choosing to abandon his family and strike out alone rather than remain in a household that sells children.
Mirror World
Zain encounters Rahil, an Ethiopian migrant worker without papers, and her infant son Yonas. She offers him food and shelter in her makeshift home. This surrogate family represents everything Zain's biological family lacked—genuine love and care despite extreme poverty.
Premise
Zain navigates life with Rahil and baby Yonas. When Rahil must work, Zain cares for Yonas with surprising tenderness and resourcefulness. He hustles on the streets, creates a makeshift baby carrier, and forms a genuine bond with the infant—experiencing what it means to be part of a loving family unit.
Midpoint
Rahil is arrested by immigration authorities and does not return home. Zain waits for her with Yonas, but she never comes. He is now completely alone, responsible for an infant with no resources, no home, and no adults to turn to. The stakes have risen exponentially.
Opposition
Zain struggles desperately to keep Yonas alive. He steals formula, drags the baby through dangerous streets, and eventually encounters Aspro, a human trafficker who offers to help him get papers to emigrate. The situation grows increasingly dire as Zain's options narrow and he faces impossible choices.
Collapse
Faced with starvation and unable to care for Yonas any longer, Zain makes the devastating decision to give the baby to Aspro, who sells children and forges documents. Zain has become complicit in the very system that destroyed his own family—a symbolic death of his innocence and hope.
Crisis
Zain returns home in despair, only to learn that Sahar has died from complications of early pregnancy—she was only 11. His parents show little remorse, and his mother reveals she is pregnant again. Zain sits with the weight of all he has lost and all the system has destroyed.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Consumed by grief and rage over Sahar's death, Zain takes a knife and stabs Assaad, the man who married and impregnated his sister. This violent act is his breaking point—he can no longer be passive. He is arrested and sent to juvenile detention.
Synthesis
From prison, Zain calls a TV show to share his story, which leads to his unprecedented lawsuit against his parents. In court, he testifies about the conditions of his life with devastating clarity. Rahil is also brought forward, and there is hope Yonas may be returned to her. The systems begin to be held accountable.
Transformation
Zain receives identity papers and poses for his first official photograph. For the first time in the film, he smiles. He finally exists in the eyes of the law—he has a name, an identity, and a future. The boy who sued his parents for giving him life now has proof that his life matters.