Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) continue their quest of finding and destroying Voldemort's (Ralph Fiennes') three remaining Horcruxes, the magical items responsible for his immortality. But as the mystical Deathly Hallows are uncovered, and Voldemort finds out about their mission, the biggest battle begins, and life as they know it will never be the same again.
Despite a considerable budget of $125.0M, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 became a runaway success, earning $1341.5M worldwide—a remarkable 973% return.
Nominated for 3 Oscars. 49 wins & 96 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%)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011) showcases deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of David Yates's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 10 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 4.2, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Voldemort steals the Elder Wand from Dumbledore's tomb, establishing the dark state of the wizarding world. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are fugitives planning their mission to destroy Horcruxes.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when The trio infiltrates Gringotts Bank disguised, entering enemy territory. Harry experiences painful visions of Voldemort's growing awareness that they are hunting Horcruxes, raising the urgency.. At 10% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 45% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Voldemort's forces arrive and lay siege to Hogwarts. The protective shield is bombarded. The battle begins in earnest—a false defeat as the overwhelming dark forces attack and the scale of destruction becomes clear., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (66% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Snape is killed by Nagini on Voldemort's order. In his dying moments, Snape gives Harry his memories. This death contains the "whiff of death" and devastating loss just as hope seemed possible., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 94 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 72% of the runtime. Voldemort strikes Harry down. In limbo, Dumbledore explains Harry can choose to return. Harry awakens; Narcissa lies to Voldemort. Neville kills Nagini. The final battle erupts. Harry reveals himself alive and duels Voldemort, who is destroyed by his own rebounding curse., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 against these established plot points, we can identify how David Yates utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 within the adventure genre.
David Yates's Structural Approach
Among the 5 David Yates films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 3.7, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete David Yates filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more David Yates analyses, see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Voldemort steals the Elder Wand from Dumbledore's tomb, establishing the dark state of the wizarding world. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are fugitives planning their mission to destroy Horcruxes.
Theme
Griphook tells Harry, "I have seen your heart and it is mine," establishing the theme of trust, sacrifice, and the cost of loyalty in war. The question: can unity and sacrifice defeat absolute power?
Worldbuilding
The trio interrogates Ollivander about the Elder Wand, negotiates with Griphook for help breaking into Gringotts, and prepares their plan. Establishes the stakes: remaining Horcruxes must be destroyed before confronting Voldemort.
Disruption
The trio infiltrates Gringotts Bank disguised, entering enemy territory. Harry experiences painful visions of Voldemort's growing awareness that they are hunting Horcruxes, raising the urgency.
Resistance
The Gringotts heist unfolds with mounting tension: navigating security, the Imperius curse wearing off, facing the dragon guardian. They retrieve Helga Hufflepuff's cup but Griphook betrays them, taking the sword. They escape on dragonback.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The search for Ravenclaw's diadem begins. Harry seeks help from Luna and the Grey Lady. Snape's regime is exposed. McGonagall and the Order prepare Hogwarts for battle. The school's magical defenses are raised as Voldemort's army approaches.
Midpoint
Voldemort's forces arrive and lay siege to Hogwarts. The protective shield is bombarded. The battle begins in earnest—a false defeat as the overwhelming dark forces attack and the scale of destruction becomes clear.
Opposition
The Battle of Hogwarts intensifies. Death Eaters breach the castle. Ron and Hermione destroy the cup Horcrux with a basilisk fang. Harry finds and destroys the diadem in the Room of Requirement. Casualties mount: Fred Weasley dies. The opposition closes in.
Collapse
Snape is killed by Nagini on Voldemort's order. In his dying moments, Snape gives Harry his memories. This death contains the "whiff of death" and devastating loss just as hope seemed possible.
Crisis
Harry views Snape's memories in the Pensieve, learning the truth: Snape loved his mother, protected Harry all along, and Harry himself is a Horcrux who must die. Harry processes this devastating revelation in his darkest moment.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Voldemort strikes Harry down. In limbo, Dumbledore explains Harry can choose to return. Harry awakens; Narcissa lies to Voldemort. Neville kills Nagini. The final battle erupts. Harry reveals himself alive and duels Voldemort, who is destroyed by his own rebounding curse.