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 significant 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) exemplifies deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of David Yates's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-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.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Harry Potter
Lord Voldemort
Hermione Granger
Ron Weasley
Severus Snape
Neville Longbottom
Albus Dumbledore
Minerva McGonagall
Bellatrix Lestrange
Draco Malfoy
Main Cast & Characters
Harry Potter
Played by Daniel Radcliffe
The Boy Who Lived, destined to face Voldemort in final battle while seeking and destroying Horcruxes to save the wizarding world.
Lord Voldemort
Played by Ralph Fiennes
The Dark Lord seeking immortality and absolute power, Harry's nemesis in the climactic battle for the fate of the wizarding world.
Hermione Granger
Played by Emma Watson
Harry's brilliant and loyal best friend, essential to the Horcrux hunt with her intelligence, planning, and magical skill.
Ron Weasley
Played by Rupert Grint
Harry's loyal best friend who stands by him through the final battle, providing courage, humor, and unwavering friendship.
Severus Snape
Played by Alan Rickman
Hogwarts headmaster with complex loyalties whose true allegiance and tragic past are revealed, proving instrumental to Voldemort's defeat.
Neville Longbottom
Played by Matthew Lewis
Once timid student who emerges as a courageous leader, playing a crucial role in destroying the final Horcrux and rallying Hogwarts defenders.
Albus Dumbledore
Played by Michael Gambon
Deceased headmaster who appears to Harry, having orchestrated events from beyond the grave to ensure Voldemort's defeat.
Minerva McGonagall
Played by Maggie Smith
Hogwarts professor who leads the defense of the school with fierce determination and powerful magic against Voldemort's forces.
Bellatrix Lestrange
Played by Helena Bonham Carter
Voldemort's most fanatically devoted Death Eater, sadistic and dangerous until her final confrontation with Molly Weasley.
Draco Malfoy
Played by Tom Felton
Conflicted Death Eater who struggles with his assigned role, ultimately unable to fully commit to Voldemort's cause.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Voldemort retrieves the Elder Wand from Dumbledore's tomb. The wizarding world is under his control, Hogwarts occupied by Death Eaters, and Harry is on the run with the weight of the Horcrux hunt upon him.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when The trio arrives at Gringotts with Hermione disguised as Bellatrix. The heist begins, committing them to an irreversible course of action that will alert Voldemort to their Horcrux hunt.. At 11% 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 23% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Harry has a vision showing Voldemort knows about the Horcrux hunt. He realizes a Horcrux is hidden at Hogwarts and actively chooses to return to the castle despite the extreme danger, setting the final confrontation in motion., moving from reaction to action.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 45% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Voldemort issues his ultimatum demanding Harry surrender by midnight, threatening to kill everyone. This is a false defeat moment as the battle pauses and Harry seems to have no way to win without sacrificing himself., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 88 minutes (68% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Harry views Snape's memories in the Pensieve and learns the devastating truth: he himself is a Horcrux and must die for Voldemort to be killed. Snape's love for Lily is revealed, along with Dumbledore's plan for Harry's sacrifice., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 94 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 72% of the runtime. Harry allows Voldemort to strike him with the Killing Curse. In the limbo of King's Cross, Dumbledore reveals Harry's sacrifice has destroyed the Horcrux within him and he can choose to return. Harry chooses life and the final fight., 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 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. 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 7 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 The Black Stallion, The Bad Guys and Puss in Boots. For more David Yates analyses, see The Legend of Tarzan, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Voldemort retrieves the Elder Wand from Dumbledore's tomb. The wizarding world is under his control, Hogwarts occupied by Death Eaters, and Harry is on the run with the weight of the Horcrux hunt upon him.
Theme
Griphook tells Harry: "If you seek to take the sword of Gryffindor from within my vault, I will require something in return." The negotiation with the goblin establishes the theme of sacrifice and what one is willing to give up to defeat evil.
Worldbuilding
The trio plans the Gringotts heist at Shell Cottage. Ollivander provides information about the wands, Griphook agrees to help in exchange for the Sword of Gryffindor, and preparations are made to infiltrate the wizarding bank.
Disruption
The trio arrives at Gringotts with Hermione disguised as Bellatrix. The heist begins, committing them to an irreversible course of action that will alert Voldemort to their Horcrux hunt.
Resistance
The Gringotts heist unfolds with the trio navigating security measures, the Thief's Downfall waterfall, and the dragon-guarded vault. They successfully retrieve Hufflepuff's Cup but are discovered, forcing a dramatic dragon escape.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Harry has a vision showing Voldemort knows about the Horcrux hunt. He realizes a Horcrux is hidden at Hogwarts and actively chooses to return to the castle despite the extreme danger, setting the final confrontation in motion.
Mirror World
Harry reunites with the Hogwarts community as students and Order members rally to defend the school. Luna guides Harry toward understanding Ravenclaw's Diadem, while Neville, Ginny, and others demonstrate the power of collective resistance rooted in love and loyalty.
Premise
The Battle of Hogwarts begins as protective enchantments are raised. Harry searches for the Diadem with help from the Grey Lady. Ron and Hermione destroy the Cup in the Chamber of Secrets. The school transforms into a warzone as defenders hold the line.
Midpoint
Voldemort issues his ultimatum demanding Harry surrender by midnight, threatening to kill everyone. This is a false defeat moment as the battle pauses and Harry seems to have no way to win without sacrificing himself.
Opposition
Harry witnesses Snape's murder by Voldemort to claim the Elder Wand's allegiance. The trio destroys the Diadem in the Room of Requirement as Crabbe's Fiendfyre consumes Crabbe. Fred Weasley, Remus, and Tonks are killed as the battle takes devastating tolls.
Collapse
Harry views Snape's memories in the Pensieve and learns the devastating truth: he himself is a Horcrux and must die for Voldemort to be killed. Snape's love for Lily is revealed, along with Dumbledore's plan for Harry's sacrifice.
Crisis
Harry accepts his fate and walks toward the Forbidden Forest to surrender himself. He uses the Resurrection Stone to summon the spirits of his parents, Sirius, and Lupin who accompany him, providing comfort as he prepares for death.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Harry allows Voldemort to strike him with the Killing Curse. In the limbo of King's Cross, Dumbledore reveals Harry's sacrifice has destroyed the Horcrux within him and he can choose to return. Harry chooses life and the final fight.
Synthesis
Harry feigns death while Neville kills Nagini, destroying the final Horcrux. The battle resumes as Harry reveals himself alive. Harry and Voldemort duel as Harry explains Draco was the true master of the Elder Wand, making Harry its current owner. Voldemort's curse rebounds, destroying him.
Transformation
Nineteen years later, Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione send their children to Hogwarts. Harry reassures his son Albus about being sorted into Slytherin. The scar has not pained Harry for nineteen years—all is well.