Cloudy Mountain
The opening of the new tunnel, which took ten years to build, coincided with a series of serious cataclysms. The lives of 160,000 people depend on the actions of two people, a father and a son.
The film earned $58.3M at the global box office.
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%)
Cloudy Mountain (2021) reveals carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Li Jun's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 54 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.8, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Hong detects dangerous seismic activity indicating an imminent volcanic eruption. His warnings are dismissed by resort management who prioritize profits over safety.. 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to The volcano erupts catastrophically. Hong and Meng must actively choose to stay and help evacuate tourists rather than flee immediately, entering a fight for survival., moving from reaction to action.
At 57 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat They successfully evacuate one group but discover the main evacuation route is blocked by lava flows. What seemed like progress toward safety becomes a false victory—they're trapped with hundreds of tourists., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, A massive eruption destroys their shelter and separates Hong from Meng. Hong believes his son is dead in the collapse, representing both literal and metaphorical death—the loss of his chance to reconcile., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 91 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Hong discovers Meng is alive. This reunion combined with his geological expertise gives him a risky final plan: use controlled explosions to redirect lava and create an escape route to the sea., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Cloudy Mountain's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Cloudy Mountain against these established plot points, we can identify how Li Jun utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Cloudy Mountain within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupTheme
A character mentions that family is worth more than professional success, foreshadowing Hong's need to reconcile with his son before it's too late.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the resort setting, the strained father-son relationship, Hong's geological monitoring work, and the commercial pressures on the resort to stay open despite minor seismic warnings.
Disruption
Hong detects dangerous seismic activity indicating an imminent volcanic eruption. His warnings are dismissed by resort management who prioritize profits over safety.
Resistance
Hong debates with management and tries to convince his son of the danger. He gathers evidence while minor tremors begin. The decision to evacuate is resisted due to financial concerns.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The volcano erupts catastrophically. Hong and Meng must actively choose to stay and help evacuate tourists rather than flee immediately, entering a fight for survival.
Mirror World
In the chaos, Hong and Meng must work together for the first time in years. Their forced cooperation introduces the relationship subplot that carries the theme of family reconciliation.
Premise
The disaster movie delivers on its premise: spectacular volcanic destruction, rescue sequences, narrow escapes, and the father-son team using Hong's geological knowledge to navigate dangers and save tourists.
Midpoint
They successfully evacuate one group but discover the main evacuation route is blocked by lava flows. What seemed like progress toward safety becomes a false victory—they're trapped with hundreds of tourists.
Opposition
Conditions worsen with pyroclastic flows, toxic gases, and structural collapses. Resources dwindle, people panic, and Hong's plans face increasing obstacles. The volcano intensifies its assault.
Collapse
A massive eruption destroys their shelter and separates Hong from Meng. Hong believes his son is dead in the collapse, representing both literal and metaphorical death—the loss of his chance to reconcile.
Crisis
Hong grieves and contemplates giving up. In his darkest moment, he reflects on his failures as a father and the time he wasted prioritizing work over family.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Hong discovers Meng is alive. This reunion combined with his geological expertise gives him a risky final plan: use controlled explosions to redirect lava and create an escape route to the sea.
Synthesis
Hong and Meng execute the desperate plan together, combining scientific knowledge with courage. They successfully evacuate the remaining survivors while reconciling their relationship amid the final catastrophe.
Transformation
Father and son survive together, their relationship healed. Hong has learned that family matters more than work, mirroring the opening but showing his transformation from distant workaholic to reconnected father.