Elemental
Follows Ember and Wade, in a city where fire-, water-, earth- and air-residents live together.
Despite a enormous budget of $200.0M, Elemental became a commercial success, earning $496.4M worldwide—a 148% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, proving that audiences embrace distinctive approach even at blockbuster scale.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 3 wins & 68 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%)
Elemental (2023) showcases strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Peter Sohn's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 10-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ember's family arrives in Element City as immigrants, facing prejudice. Years later, Ember works dutifully in her father's Fire Town shop, suppressing her fiery temper while her father Bernie dreams of passing the store to her.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when During a customer rush, Ember loses her temper and explodes, causing a pipe to burst. Wade, a water element city inspector, floods into the basement through the broken pipes, discovering multiple code violations that could shut down the shop.. 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 Collapse moment at 77 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Bernie discovers Ember's relationship with Wade and angrily forbids it, saying "Water and fire don't mix." Ember finally admits she doesn't want to run the shop - her dream is to work with glass art. Bernie is devastated; their relationship appears destroyed., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Ember and Wade work together to stop the flood and save Fire Town. When Wade evaporates saving Ember, she uses her blue flame - her truest self - to bring him back. Bernie witnesses Ember's courage and sacrifice, finally seeing his daughter clearly., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Elemental's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 10 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Elemental against these established plot points, we can identify how Peter Sohn utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Elemental within the animation genre.
Peter Sohn's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Peter Sohn films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Elemental takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Peter Sohn filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower. For more Peter Sohn analyses, see The Good Dinosaur.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ember's family arrives in Element City as immigrants, facing prejudice. Years later, Ember works dutifully in her father's Fire Town shop, suppressing her fiery temper while her father Bernie dreams of passing the store to her.
Theme
Bernie tells Ember "Follow the blue flame" - referring to the special fire of family tradition and finding your true element. The theme asks: Can you honor family while being true to yourself?
Worldbuilding
Element City is established as a world where fire, water, earth, and air elementals live in separate communities. Fire elements face discrimination and limited opportunity. Ember is being groomed to inherit the shop but struggles with anger management and her own desires.
Disruption
During a customer rush, Ember loses her temper and explodes, causing a pipe to burst. Wade, a water element city inspector, floods into the basement through the broken pipes, discovering multiple code violations that could shut down the shop.
Resistance
Ember desperately tries to stop Wade from filing his report. She chases him through the city, debates whether to trust him, and initially resists his help. Wade is emotional and earnest; Ember is skeptical that a water element could understand her world.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Ember and Wade work together to trace the source of the leak and save the shop. Despite being opposites (fire and water), they discover unexpected chemistry. Ember experiences adventures beyond Fire Town, exploring Element City and her own suppressed desires.
Opposition
Ember's two worlds collide. She must hide her relationship with Wade while preparing for the shop's grand reopening. Her father's expectations intensify. The physical impossibility of fire and water together becomes a metaphor for the cultural divide and family duty closing in.
Collapse
Bernie discovers Ember's relationship with Wade and angrily forbids it, saying "Water and fire don't mix." Ember finally admits she doesn't want to run the shop - her dream is to work with glass art. Bernie is devastated; their relationship appears destroyed.
Crisis
Ember sits in darkness, believing she's failed her family and lost everything. She processes the pain of choosing between love and duty, between her dreams and her father's sacrifice. The shop that represents her father's life work feels like a prison.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Ember and Wade work together to stop the flood and save Fire Town. When Wade evaporates saving Ember, she uses her blue flame - her truest self - to bring him back. Bernie witnesses Ember's courage and sacrifice, finally seeing his daughter clearly.