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 commercial juggernaut, earning $65.0M worldwide—a remarkable 1524% return. The film's unique voice attracted moviegoers, showing 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 meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of Nadine Labaki's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-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, a 12-year-old boy, appears in court in shackles, suing his parents for giving him life. This frame narrative establishes his rage and the depths of his suffering in Beirut's slums.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Zain discovers his parents plan to marry off his beloved 11-year-old sister Sahar to their landlord Assad, a much older man. This betrayal disrupts any sense of family safety.. At 9% through the film, this Disruption arrives earlier than typical, accelerating the narrative momentum. 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 19% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to After Sahar is married off, Zain makes the active choice to run away from his family. He escapes on a bus, leaving the only world he knows, choosing survival on his own terms., moving from reaction to action.
At 55 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 44% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Notably, this crucial beat Rahil is arrested by immigration authorities and disappears. Zain is left alone with baby Yonas. False defeat: his fragile sanctuary collapses, and he must now survive while caring for an infant., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 82 minutes (65% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Zain learns his sister Sahar has died from internal bleeding related to her forced child marriage. The one person he loved and tried to protect is dead. Whiff of death: innocence and hope extinguished., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 89 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 71% of the runtime. The trial unfolds. Zain testifies against his parents, exposing their neglect. His case becomes symbolic. Meanwhile, we learn Rahil is being deported, and Yonas's fate hangs in balance. Zain fights for documentation and identity., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Capernaum's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 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 Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Nadine Labaki analyses, see Where Do We Go Now?, Caramel.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Zain, a 12-year-old boy, appears in court in shackles, suing his parents for giving him life. This frame narrative establishes his rage and the depths of his suffering in Beirut's slums.
Theme
In flashback, we see Zain's brutal reality: "Why did you bring me into this world?" The theme is stated through Zain's actions and the film's central question about children born into impossible circumstances.
Worldbuilding
Zain's life in the Beirut slums with his parents and siblings. He hustles for survival, helps make fake prescriptions, cares for his younger sister Sahar. Establishes extreme poverty, negligent parents, and Zain's fierce protectiveness.
Disruption
Zain discovers his parents plan to marry off his beloved 11-year-old sister Sahar to their landlord Assad, a much older man. This betrayal disrupts any sense of family safety.
Resistance
Zain tries desperately to prevent Sahar's marriage—hiding her menstrual pads, attempting to protect her. Despite his efforts, his parents force the marriage. Zain is powerless and debates whether to stay.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
After Sahar is married off, Zain makes the active choice to run away from his family. He escapes on a bus, leaving the only world he knows, choosing survival on his own terms.
Premise
Zain lives with Rahil and cares for her baby Yonas while she works. Despite poverty, this makeshift family offers glimpses of tenderness and dignity. Zain experiences moments of childhood—riding rides, protecting Yonas.
Midpoint
Rahil is arrested by immigration authorities and disappears. Zain is left alone with baby Yonas. False defeat: his fragile sanctuary collapses, and he must now survive while caring for an infant.
Opposition
Zain struggles desperately to care for Yonas—begging, stealing, trying to sell him, hustling for formula. Opposition intensifies as both face starvation. Zain's childhood is completely stripped away.
Collapse
Zain learns his sister Sahar has died from internal bleeding related to her forced child marriage. The one person he loved and tried to protect is dead. Whiff of death: innocence and hope extinguished.
Crisis
Consumed by grief and rage, Zain finds Assad and stabs him. He's arrested and sent to prison. In his darkest moment, he contemplates the meaninglessness of his suffering.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The trial unfolds. Zain testifies against his parents, exposing their neglect. His case becomes symbolic. Meanwhile, we learn Rahil is being deported, and Yonas's fate hangs in balance. Zain fights for documentation and identity.