Evan Almighty
Buffalo newsman Evan Baxter is elected to Congress with the slogan, "Change the world." He lucks into a huge house in a new Virginia suburb. His Capitol office is also fantastic, but there's a catch: he's tapped by the powerful Congressman Long to co-sponsor a bill to allow development in national parks. In steps God, who appears to a disbelieving Evan and gently commands him to build an ark. Tools and wood arrive in Evan's yard, animal pairs follow, his beard and hair grow wildly, nomad's clothes and a staff appear. Long grows impatient, Evan starts building, his family leaves him, reporters gather, and drought grips D.C. Still, Evan believes. But will he change the world?
The film underperformed commercially against its enormous budget of $175.0M, earning $174.4M globally (0% loss).
2 wins & 11 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%)
Evan Almighty (2007) showcases precise narrative design, characteristic of Tom Shadyac's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 36 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Evan Baxter celebrates his election to Congress with his family, promising to "change the world." He is ambitious, career-focused, and moving his family to a new house in Virginia.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when God (Morgan Freeman) appears to Evan and commands him to build an ark. Animals begin following Evan everywhere. Wood and ancient tools are delivered to his house. His ordinary life is disrupted.. 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 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Evan accepts his calling and begins building the ark in his front yard. He chooses obedience to God over his reputation and career, putting on the robes and beginning construction despite ridicule., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Joan takes the kids and leaves Evan, thinking he's insane. She can't accept his transformation. Evan loses his family - the very thing he needed to get closer to. This is a false defeat that will ultimately lead to truth., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 71 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, At the congressional hearing, Evan is stripped of his position and humiliated publicly. His career is dead. He stands alone, appearing to have lost everything - family, career, dignity - for following God's call., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Joan and the boys return to Evan, reuniting the family. They understand the true meaning now - it's not about a flood, it's about faith, family, and doing the right thing. They choose to stand with him., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Evan Almighty'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 Evan Almighty against these established plot points, we can identify how Tom Shadyac utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Evan Almighty within the comedy genre.
Tom Shadyac's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Tom Shadyac films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Evan Almighty represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Tom Shadyac filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Tom Shadyac analyses, see Liar Liar, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Dragonfly.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Evan Baxter celebrates his election to Congress with his family, promising to "change the world." He is ambitious, career-focused, and moving his family to a new house in Virginia.
Theme
Evan's wife Joan suggests they pray together as a family. Evan awkwardly prays to God asking to "change the world." His son Dylan prays for the family to be closer - establishing the true need.
Worldbuilding
Evan settles into his new life in Washington: new house, new job, distancing from family. He meets corrupt Congressman Long who wants Evan's support. Evan is obsessed with image and career advancement.
Disruption
God (Morgan Freeman) appears to Evan and commands him to build an ark. Animals begin following Evan everywhere. Wood and ancient tools are delivered to his house. His ordinary life is disrupted.
Resistance
Evan resists God's call, trying to maintain normalcy. God appears repeatedly with instructions. Evan debates whether he's going crazy. Animals multiply. His facial hair grows uncontrollably. He tries to shave and fight the calling.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Evan accepts his calling and begins building the ark in his front yard. He chooses obedience to God over his reputation and career, putting on the robes and beginning construction despite ridicule.
Mirror World
Joan and the boys initially join Evan in building the ark, creating family bonding moments. This represents what Evan truly needs - connection with his family - even as the world mocks them.
Premise
Evan builds the ark with his sons. He becomes a media sensation and laughingstock. Animals pair up and enter. The ark takes shape. Evan learns carpentry and experiences moments of connection with his family despite public humiliation.
Midpoint
Joan takes the kids and leaves Evan, thinking he's insane. She can't accept his transformation. Evan loses his family - the very thing he needed to get closer to. This is a false defeat that will ultimately lead to truth.
Opposition
Evan faces increased opposition: public humiliation, congressional hearing, threatened with removal from office. Congressman Long's corruption deepens. Evan persists in building alone, isolated from family and career destroyed.
Collapse
At the congressional hearing, Evan is stripped of his position and humiliated publicly. His career is dead. He stands alone, appearing to have lost everything - family, career, dignity - for following God's call.
Crisis
Evan faces his dark night. Meanwhile, God appears to Joan as a waiter, revealing the meaning: Acts of Random Kindness (ARK). She realizes Evan's true calling and the family's role. Understanding dawns.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Joan and the boys return to Evan, reuniting the family. They understand the true meaning now - it's not about a flood, it's about faith, family, and doing the right thing. They choose to stand with him.
Synthesis
The "flood" comes when Congressman Long's dam bursts due to corruption (cutting corners). The ark saves hundreds at the groundbreaking ceremony. Evan exposes Long's corruption. Family works together. The ark's true purpose is revealed.
Transformation
Evan, back in Congress with his family watching, now advocates for integrity over ambition. He has changed the world one act of kindness at a time, starting with his family. The family is together and he has found his true purpose.