Elio
Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination, finds himself on a cosmic misadventure where he must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms, navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions and somehow discover who he is truly meant to be.
Working with a blockbuster budget of $150.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $153.8M in global revenue (+3% profit margin).
19 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%)
Elio (2025) exhibits strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Madeline Sharafian's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 38 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Elio Solis, an 11-year-old space enthusiast, struggles to fit in at school on Earth. He's bullied for his interests and feels like an outsider in his own world.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Elio is accidentally beamed up by an alien spacecraft. What was supposed to retrieve Earth's ambassador instead captures an unprepared child, separating him from everything familiar.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Elio makes the active choice to pretend to be Earth's ambassador, committing to the deception. He decides to embrace this opportunity rather than admit he's nobody special., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False victory: Elio successfully brokers a major peace agreement or solves an intergalactic crisis, earning genuine respect. He's finally important and valued, but the lie grows heavier. Stakes are raised when the deception becomes harder to maintain., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The truth is exposed: Elio is revealed as a fraud before the entire intergalactic community. He faces betrayal, rejection, and the potential destruction of Earth's reputation. His alien friend feels deceived. Everything Elio built collapses., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Elio realizes that the qualities that made him succeed—his creativity, empathy, and unique perspective—weren't from being Earth's leader but from being himself. He synthesizes his authentic self with his learned diplomatic skills., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Elio'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 Elio against these established plot points, we can identify how Madeline Sharafian utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Elio within the family genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional family films include The Bad Guys, Like A Rolling Stone and Cats Don't Dance.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Elio Solis, an 11-year-old space enthusiast, struggles to fit in at school on Earth. He's bullied for his interests and feels like an outsider in his own world.
Theme
Elio's mother tells him: "Sometimes the things that make you different are exactly what the universe needs." The theme of finding belonging through authenticity is established.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Elio's ordinary world: his relationship with his mother (a scientist), his obsession with space and aliens, his social struggles at school, and his vivid imagination where he dreams of being important.
Disruption
Elio is accidentally beamed up by an alien spacecraft. What was supposed to retrieve Earth's ambassador instead captures an unprepared child, separating him from everything familiar.
Resistance
Elio resists accepting his role as Earth's representative, knowing it's a mistake. He meets various alien species who believe he's humanity's leader. He debates whether to confess the truth or play along.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Elio makes the active choice to pretend to be Earth's ambassador, committing to the deception. He decides to embrace this opportunity rather than admit he's nobody special.
Mirror World
Elio forms a genuine friendship with an alien character who, like him, feels like an outsider. This relationship represents the authentic connection he's been missing and teaches him about true belonging.
Premise
The "fun and games" of pretending to be Earth's leader. Elio navigates intergalactic politics, attends cosmic councils, and experiences the adventure he always dreamed of, using his imagination and space knowledge to succeed.
Midpoint
False victory: Elio successfully brokers a major peace agreement or solves an intergalactic crisis, earning genuine respect. He's finally important and valued, but the lie grows heavier. Stakes are raised when the deception becomes harder to maintain.
Opposition
The pressure intensifies as Elio must make increasingly important decisions affecting multiple worlds. An antagonist (perhaps a suspicious alien leader) begins questioning his legitimacy. His lies start catching up with him, and maintaining the facade becomes dangerous.
Collapse
The truth is exposed: Elio is revealed as a fraud before the entire intergalactic community. He faces betrayal, rejection, and the potential destruction of Earth's reputation. His alien friend feels deceived. Everything Elio built collapses.
Crisis
Elio experiences his darkest moment, believing he's ruined everything and proven he really is nobody special. He processes the loss of respect, friendship, and his brief moment of importance. He confronts his own insecurities.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Elio realizes that the qualities that made him succeed—his creativity, empathy, and unique perspective—weren't from being Earth's leader but from being himself. He synthesizes his authentic self with his learned diplomatic skills.
Synthesis
Elio confronts the final crisis honestly as himself, not as a fake ambassador. He uses his genuine talents to resolve the intergalactic conflict, earning real respect. He repairs his friendship and saves Earth through authenticity rather than deception.
Transformation
Back on Earth, Elio walks through school with quiet confidence. He's still the same space-loving kid, but now he knows his differences are strengths. The outsider has found belonging by accepting himself, mirroring the opening but transformed.