Fun Size
Wren's Halloween plans go awry when she's made to babysit her brother, who disappears into a sea of trick-or-treaters. Accompanied by her best friend and two nerdy classmates, Wren needs to find her brother before her mom finds out.
The film underperformed commercially against its limited budget of $14.0M, earning $11.4M globally (-18% loss).
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%)
Fun Size (2012) exemplifies carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Josh Schwartz's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 27 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Wren is shown as a responsible high school senior stuck babysitting her mischievable younger brother Albert on Halloween night instead of going to the popular party she desperately wants to attend.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Albert disappears while trick-or-treating. Wren loses her brother on Halloween night, creating an urgent crisis that must be resolved.. 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 21 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Wren commits fully to the search mission, stealing her mother's boyfriend's prized car to cover more ground and pursue leads about Albert's whereabouts., moving from reaction to action.
At 44 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False victory: They get a solid lead on Albert's location and Wren also gets invited to join Aaron at the exclusive party she's always wanted to attend. Everything seems to be coming together., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 64 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All is lost: Wren still hasn't found Albert as time runs out, she's betrayed her friends, destroyed the car, and realizes Aaron is shallow and unworthy. Her attempt to have it all has left her with nothing., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 69 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Wren has a breakthrough realization about where Albert must be and understands what truly matters: family, real friends, and honoring her father's memory rather than running from it., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Fun Size's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Fun Size against these established plot points, we can identify how Josh Schwartz utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Fun Size within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Wren is shown as a responsible high school senior stuck babysitting her mischievable younger brother Albert on Halloween night instead of going to the popular party she desperately wants to attend.
Theme
Wren's best friend April suggests that life is short and you have to take chances, hinting at the theme about moving past grief and embracing new possibilities.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Wren's world: her deceased father, emotionally distant mother dating a younger boyfriend, her crush on Aaron Riley, her friendship with April, and her responsibilities caring for weird younger brother Albert.
Disruption
Albert disappears while trick-or-treating. Wren loses her brother on Halloween night, creating an urgent crisis that must be resolved.
Resistance
Wren debates whether to tell her mother or handle it herself. She recruits April and neighbor Roosevelt to help search for Albert, beginning their chaotic journey through Cleveland on Halloween night.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Wren commits fully to the search mission, stealing her mother's boyfriend's prized car to cover more ground and pursue leads about Albert's whereabouts.
Mirror World
Wren has meaningful interactions with Roosevelt, the nerdy neighbor who clearly likes her. He represents authenticity and genuine connection versus her shallow crush on Aaron.
Premise
Wild Halloween adventure ensues: crashing parties, encountering bizarre characters, following false leads, comic mishaps with the stolen car, and escalating chaos as they search for Albert across the city.
Midpoint
False victory: They get a solid lead on Albert's location and Wren also gets invited to join Aaron at the exclusive party she's always wanted to attend. Everything seems to be coming together.
Opposition
Things fall apart: leads on Albert turn into dead ends, the car gets damaged, Wren's selfish choices alienate Roosevelt and April, and her attempts to balance finding Albert with impressing Aaron backfire badly.
Collapse
All is lost: Wren still hasn't found Albert as time runs out, she's betrayed her friends, destroyed the car, and realizes Aaron is shallow and unworthy. Her attempt to have it all has left her with nothing.
Crisis
Wren has her dark night moment, confronting her grief over her father's death and recognizing how she's been pushing away real connections while chasing superficial goals.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Wren has a breakthrough realization about where Albert must be and understands what truly matters: family, real friends, and honoring her father's memory rather than running from it.
Synthesis
Wren reunites with Albert, reconciles with her mother, makes amends with Roosevelt and April, and stands up to Aaron. She brings her fractured family back together.
Transformation
Final image shows Wren transformed: no longer chasing popularity, she's with Roosevelt (genuine connection), comfortable with her family, and has moved forward from her grief while honoring her past.