Elevation
A single father and two women venture from the safety of their homes to face monstrous creatures to save the life of a young boy.
The film commercial failure against its respectable budget of $18.0M, earning $3.3M globally (-82% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its bold vision within the action genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Will
Nina
Katie
Hunter
Main Cast & Characters
Will
Played by Anthony Mackie
A single father determined to save his son from deadly creatures that hunt below 8,000 feet elevation
Nina
Played by Morena Baccarin
A scientist and survivor who helps Will understand the creatures threatening humanity
Katie
Played by Maddie Hasson
A resourceful woman and mother fighting to protect her children in the post-apocalyptic world
Hunter
Played by Danny Boyd Jr.
Will's young son who requires life-saving equipment that forces a dangerous descent
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Will lives in a mountain community above 8,000 feet with his young son Hunter, surviving in a world where deadly creatures roam below the elevation line. The isolated settlement represents humanity's fragile existence after the apocalypse.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Hunter's illness worsens critically, and it becomes clear that without specific medicine or medical equipment located at a research facility below the safe elevation, he will die. Will is forced to consider the unthinkable: going down.. 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 reveals the protagonist's commitment to Will makes the active choice to descend below 8,000 feet with Nina and Katie, crossing into creature territory. He leaves Hunter in the community's care, choosing to risk his life for his son's survival. There is no turning back once they descend., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The group reaches the research facility and locates the medicine Hunter needs. It appears the mission may succeed. Nina also discovers crucial research data about the creatures that could change everything for the surviving human communities., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, A devastating creature attack results in a major loss. The group is separated or someone is severely injured. The medicine is nearly lost, and escape seems impossible. Will faces his darkest moment, questioning if he's led them all to their deaths., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 73 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Will synthesizes Nina's scientific knowledge with his survival instincts, realizing a new approach to evade or confront the creatures. He transforms from a man running from fear to one ready to face it directly. The group commits to a final desperate push to reach safety., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Elevation's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Elevation against these established plot points, we can identify how George Nolfi utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Elevation within the action genre.
George Nolfi's Structural Approach
Among the 3 George Nolfi films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Elevation exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete George Nolfi filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more George Nolfi analyses, see The Adjustment Bureau, Birth of the Dragon.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Will lives in a mountain community above 8,000 feet with his young son Hunter, surviving in a world where deadly creatures roam below the elevation line. The isolated settlement represents humanity's fragile existence after the apocalypse.
Theme
A community member remarks about the necessity of taking risks to survive, stating that hiding forever isn't living. This establishes the theme: true survival requires courage to face fear, not just avoidance of danger.
Worldbuilding
The film establishes the post-apocalyptic world where creatures have forced humanity to higher elevations. We meet Will as a protective father, learn about the 8,000-foot safe zone, see the community's limited resources, and understand Hunter's deteriorating health condition that will necessitate action.
Disruption
Hunter's illness worsens critically, and it becomes clear that without specific medicine or medical equipment located at a research facility below the safe elevation, he will die. Will is forced to consider the unthinkable: going down.
Resistance
Will debates the dangerous mission with the community. Nina, a scientist who has been studying the creatures, reveals she needs to reach the research facility for her own reasons. Katie volunteers to join. They prepare equipment, study creature behavior patterns, and plan their descent below the elevation line.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Will makes the active choice to descend below 8,000 feet with Nina and Katie, crossing into creature territory. He leaves Hunter in the community's care, choosing to risk his life for his son's survival. There is no turning back once they descend.
Mirror World
As the group navigates the dangerous terrain, Nina reveals her deeper motivations and scientific knowledge about the creatures. Her perspective challenges Will's fear-based survival approach, suggesting understanding the enemy might be the key to truly defeating them.
Premise
The trio navigates through creature-infested territory, employing stealth and the knowledge they've gathered. Tense encounters showcase the creatures' deadly nature. They make progress toward the facility while learning to work together, with Nina's scientific insights proving valuable.
Midpoint
The group reaches the research facility and locates the medicine Hunter needs. It appears the mission may succeed. Nina also discovers crucial research data about the creatures that could change everything for the surviving human communities.
Opposition
Their presence attracts creatures to the facility. The return journey becomes increasingly perilous as creature activity intensifies. The group faces multiple attacks, resource depletion, and the creatures seem to be learning their patterns. Internal tensions rise as the danger mounts.
Collapse
A devastating creature attack results in a major loss. The group is separated or someone is severely injured. The medicine is nearly lost, and escape seems impossible. Will faces his darkest moment, questioning if he's led them all to their deaths.
Crisis
In the aftermath of the attack, Will processes the loss and near-failure. He must find the resolve to continue when everything seems lost. The survivors regroup, tending to wounds and mourning, while creatures close in on their position.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Will synthesizes Nina's scientific knowledge with his survival instincts, realizing a new approach to evade or confront the creatures. He transforms from a man running from fear to one ready to face it directly. The group commits to a final desperate push to reach safety.
Synthesis
Will leads the group in a climactic race back to the elevation safe zone. Using their combined knowledge and courage, they confront the creatures in a final intense sequence. Will's transformation allows him to make choices he couldn't have made at the story's start.
Transformation
Will returns to the community with the medicine, saving Hunter. The closing image shows Will as a changed man - no longer merely surviving through avoidance but living with purpose and courage. The community has hope for a future beyond just hiding from the creatures.