Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
During Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts, he finds a book that once belonged to the mysterious Half-Blood Prince that earns him the respect of his new Potions professor Horace Slughorn. In addition, Dumbledore must prepare Harry for the ultimate final confrontation by finding out the secret behind Voldemort's power. Meanwhile, a hidden enemy waits in the shadows to carry out a mission given to him by the Dark Lord.
Despite a massive budget of $250.0M, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince became a financial success, earning $934.0M worldwide—a 274% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, showing that audiences embrace distinctive approach even at blockbuster scale.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 9 wins & 39 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 Half-Blood Prince (2009) exhibits meticulously timed 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 33 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 3.9, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The Minister of Magic pleads with the Muggle Prime Minister for help as the wizarding world descends into chaos. Dark Mark appears over London as Death Eaters attack Diagon Alley, establishing a world already in crisis.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 17 minutes when Dumbledore reveals his plan: Harry must get a critical memory from Professor Slughorn about Horcruxes. This mission will define Harry's sixth year and is essential to defeating Voldemort.. 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 34 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 23% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Harry decides to use Felix Felicis (liquid luck) to get Slughorn's true memory. This represents his active choice to fully commit to Dumbledore's mission and take responsibility for the war effort., moving from reaction to action.
At 70 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 46% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Harry successfully retrieves Slughorn's true memory using Felix Felicis. The memory reveals Voldemort created multiple Horcruxes - at least six. What seemed like a victory becomes a crushing revelation of how difficult the task ahead truly is., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 102 minutes (66% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Dumbledore drinks the cursed potion in the cave to retrieve the locket Horcrux, becoming completely vulnerable and weakened. The mentor who seemed invincible is reduced to a broken, pleading figure - foreshadowing the "whiff of death" to come., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 112 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 73% of the runtime. Snape reveals he is the Half-Blood Prince, forcing Harry to confront that his success came from Voldemort's ally. Harry realizes he must continue Dumbledore's mission alone. The locket was a fake - R.A.B. Got there first. New information reshapes the quest., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'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 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 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 Half-Blood Prince within the action 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 Half-Blood Prince represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete David Yates filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more David Yates analyses, see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The Minister of Magic pleads with the Muggle Prime Minister for help as the wizarding world descends into chaos. Dark Mark appears over London as Death Eaters attack Diagon Alley, establishing a world already in crisis.
Theme
Dumbledore tells Harry, "Once again, I must ask too much of you, Harry." The film's theme: the burden of destiny and the sacrifices required to fight darkness, even when it costs everything.
Worldbuilding
Establishes the dark state of the wizarding world. Harry meets Dumbledore at a Muggle station, they recruit Slughorn together, Harry returns to the Burrow where the Weasleys provide warmth against the growing darkness. Romance subplots introduced.
Disruption
Dumbledore reveals his plan: Harry must get a critical memory from Professor Slughorn about Horcruxes. This mission will define Harry's sixth year and is essential to defeating Voldemort.
Resistance
Return to Hogwarts. Harry receives the mysterious Half-Blood Prince's textbook that helps him excel in Potions. Dumbledore begins private lessons showing Harry memories of young Tom Riddle. Harry struggles with how to approach Slughorn.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Harry decides to use Felix Felicis (liquid luck) to get Slughorn's true memory. This represents his active choice to fully commit to Dumbledore's mission and take responsibility for the war effort.
Mirror World
Harry and Ginny share their first truly intimate moment, hiding the Half-Blood Prince book together. Their romance subplot becomes the thematic counterpoint: love and human connection in the face of darkness.
Premise
The promise of a Harry Potter film: Quidditch matches, teenage romance, magical lessons, and mystery. Harry investigates Draco's suspicious behavior, navigates romantic tensions with Ginny, and continues memory lessons with Dumbledore while the Half-Blood Prince's book makes him a star student.
Midpoint
Harry successfully retrieves Slughorn's true memory using Felix Felicis. The memory reveals Voldemort created multiple Horcruxes - at least six. What seemed like a victory becomes a crushing revelation of how difficult the task ahead truly is.
Opposition
Pressure mounts from all sides. Katie Bell is cursed, Ron is poisoned, Death Eaters attack the Burrow. Draco's mission grows desperate. Harry becomes obsessed with proving Draco is a Death Eater while his use of the Prince's dark spells escalates. Romance complications intensify.
Collapse
Dumbledore drinks the cursed potion in the cave to retrieve the locket Horcrux, becoming completely vulnerable and weakened. The mentor who seemed invincible is reduced to a broken, pleading figure - foreshadowing the "whiff of death" to come.
Crisis
Return to Hogwarts under siege. Death Eaters have infiltrated the castle. Dumbledore and Harry reach the Astronomy Tower. Dumbledore is killed by Snape while Harry watches, paralyzed and helpless. Harry's world collapses as his mentor, protector, and guide is murdered.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Snape reveals he is the Half-Blood Prince, forcing Harry to confront that his success came from Voldemort's ally. Harry realizes he must continue Dumbledore's mission alone. The locket was a fake - R.A.B. got there first. New information reshapes the quest.
Synthesis
The school mourns Dumbledore. Fawkes flies away. Harry tells Ron and Hermione he won't return to Hogwarts - he must hunt Horcruxes. They pledge to join him. Harry and Ginny share a moment but understand their relationship must wait until Voldemort is defeated.
Transformation
Harry, Ron, and Hermione stand together at Hogwarts, looking toward an uncertain future. Where the opening showed a world in chaos with Harry as a student, the closing shows Harry as a leader accepting his destiny, no longer a boy but a young man ready for war.