Gnome Alone
When Chloe discovers that her new home's garden gnomes are not what they seem, she must decide between the pursuit of a desired high school life and taking up the fight against the Troggs.
The film earned $10.8M at the global box office.
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%)
Gnome Alone (2017) exhibits precise plot construction, characteristic of Peter Lepeniotis's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 25 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Chloe
Liam
Zamfeer
Britney
Nap
Shakes
Main Cast & Characters
Chloe
Played by Becky G
A socially awkward teenager who moves to a new town and discovers her yard gnomes come to life to fight off underground creatures called Troggs.
Liam
Played by Josh Peck
Chloe's next-door neighbor and love interest who initially seems like a popular jock but reveals deeper layers.
Zamfeer
Played by Patrick Stump
The brave leader of the garden gnomes who protects humanity from the Trogg invasion.
Britney
Played by Olivia Holt
A popular mean girl at Chloe's new school who serves as her social antagonist.
Nap
Played by George Lopez
A laid-back, sleepy gnome who provides comic relief to the gnome team.
Shakes
Played by David Koechner
A nervous, anxious gnome warrior who struggles with confidence but proves his worth.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Chloe is a lonely teen obsessed with becoming popular through social media and YouTube fame, disconnected from real relationships.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Chloe discovers the gnomes are alive and have been protecting the house from underground creatures called Troggs that want to invade Earth.. 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 reveals the protagonist's commitment to After witnessing a Trogg attack firsthand, Chloe makes the choice to team up with the gnomes to defend her home and stop the invasion., moving from reaction to action.
At 43 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Chloe successfully defends the house in a major battle and gains confidence, believing she has the Trogg situation under control. She's invited to a party by the popular kids (false victory)., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 63 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, While Chloe is at the party, the Troggs launch a massive attack. The gnome leader is captured/destroyed, and the house is overrun. Chloe returns to find devastation and Liam refuses to help her., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 67 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Chloe sincerely apologizes to Liam and the surviving gnomes, embracing her true self. She formulates a plan combining her creativity with Liam's knowledge and the gnomes' combat skills., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Gnome Alone'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 Gnome Alone against these established plot points, we can identify how Peter Lepeniotis utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Gnome Alone within the animation genre.
Peter Lepeniotis's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Peter Lepeniotis films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Gnome Alone takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Peter Lepeniotis filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll. For more Peter Lepeniotis analyses, see The Nut Job.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Chloe is a lonely teen obsessed with becoming popular through social media and YouTube fame, disconnected from real relationships.
Theme
Chloe's mother tells her "Sometimes help comes from the most unexpected places" as they move to their new home.
Worldbuilding
Chloe and her mother move into a quirky old house filled with garden gnomes. Chloe struggles to fit in at her new school and dismisses neighbor Liam's attempts at friendship.
Disruption
Chloe discovers the gnomes are alive and have been protecting the house from underground creatures called Troggs that want to invade Earth.
Resistance
Chloe is terrified and resistant to believing in the gnomes. She tries to get rid of them while the gnomes attempt to convince her of the Trogg threat.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
After witnessing a Trogg attack firsthand, Chloe makes the choice to team up with the gnomes to defend her home and stop the invasion.
Mirror World
Chloe begins working with Liam, the nerdy neighbor she previously dismissed, who proves to be resourceful and kind—embodying genuine connection over superficial popularity.
Premise
Chloe and the gnomes battle waves of Troggs in creative and comedic ways. She balances fighting creatures with trying to maintain her social media image and navigate school social dynamics.
Midpoint
Chloe successfully defends the house in a major battle and gains confidence, believing she has the Trogg situation under control. She's invited to a party by the popular kids (false victory).
Opposition
The Troggs intensify their attacks. Chloe's attempt to balance popularity with her responsibilities fails. She abandons the gnomes and Liam to attend the party, and the popular kids humiliate her online.
Collapse
While Chloe is at the party, the Troggs launch a massive attack. The gnome leader is captured/destroyed, and the house is overrun. Chloe returns to find devastation and Liam refuses to help her.
Crisis
Chloe faces the consequences of prioritizing shallow popularity over real friendship and responsibility. She realizes she's been chasing the wrong things and has hurt those who actually cared about her.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Chloe sincerely apologizes to Liam and the surviving gnomes, embracing her true self. She formulates a plan combining her creativity with Liam's knowledge and the gnomes' combat skills.
Synthesis
Chloe, Liam, and the gnomes work together as a true team to close the Trogg portal and save the town. Chloe uses her ingenuity without caring about looking cool, embracing collaboration over solo glory.
Transformation
Chloe is shown genuinely happy hanging out with Liam and her mother, no longer obsessed with her phone or popularity. She's found real belonging and friendship in unexpected places.