King Kong
Carl Denham needs to finish his movie and has the perfect location; Skull Island. But he still needs to find a leading lady. This 'soon-to-be-unfortunate' soul is Ann Darrow. No one knows what they will encounter on this island and why it is so mysterious, but once they reach it, they will soon find out. Living on this hidden island is a giant gorilla and this beast now has Ann is its grasps. Carl and Ann's new love, Jack Driscoll must travel through the jungle looking for Kong and Ann, whilst avoiding all sorts of creatures and beasts. But Carl has another plan in mind.
Despite a enormous budget of $207.0M, King Kong became a box office success, earning $562.4M worldwide—a 172% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, confirming that audiences embrace fresh perspective even at blockbuster scale.
3 Oscars. 47 wins & 104 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%)
King Kong (2005) showcases carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Peter Jackson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 3 hours and 8 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ann Darrow struggles as an out-of-work vaudeville actress in Depression-era New York, desperate and alone, watching her world collapse around her.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 24 minutes when Carl Denham convinces the starving Ann Darrow to join his film expedition by promising her the lead role and invoking her idol, Fay Wray. She accepts out of desperation and dreams of stardom.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 47 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to The ship crashes through the rocks surrounding Skull Island and the crew goes ashore, actively choosing to enter a world of prehistoric danger and ancient horror despite all warnings to turn back., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 141 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Kong breaks free during the Broadway spectacle and rampages through New York searching for Ann. The commodification of wonder leads to destruction. Carl's dream dies as his "triumph" becomes catastrophe., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 150 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Atop the Empire State Building, Kong and Ann share a final moment watching the sunrise—a callback to their sunset on Skull Island. Biplanes attack. Ann tries to save him but cannot stop the inevitable., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
King Kong's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping King Kong against these established plot points, we can identify how Peter Jackson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish King Kong within the action genre.
Peter Jackson's Structural Approach
Among the 9 Peter Jackson films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.3, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. King Kong represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Peter Jackson filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Peter Jackson analyses, see The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Lovely Bones.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ann Darrow struggles as an out-of-work vaudeville actress in Depression-era New York, desperate and alone, watching her world collapse around her.
Theme
Carl Denham quotes Conrad: "The thing that makes a man grab at the world is not the desire for fame or riches, but the desire for a moment of transcendence." The film explores what we sacrifice for beauty, connection, and wonder.
Worldbuilding
Depression-era New York is established: Ann's theater closes, Carl Denham desperately seeks to save his exotic adventure film, Jack Driscoll writes plays nobody produces. Economic desperation drives all characters.
Disruption
Carl Denham convinces the starving Ann Darrow to join his film expedition by promising her the lead role and invoking her idol, Fay Wray. She accepts out of desperation and dreams of stardom.
Resistance
The Venture sails toward Skull Island. Jack and Ann develop a tentative connection. The crew debates the mysterious destination. Carl hides the true danger from everyone, pushing forward despite warnings.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The ship crashes through the rocks surrounding Skull Island and the crew goes ashore, actively choosing to enter a world of prehistoric danger and ancient horror despite all warnings to turn back.
Mirror World
Ann is taken by Kong to his mountain lair. Their relationship begins—he is a mirror to her loneliness and need for connection. Both are performers, both are captive to others' expectations.
Premise
The promise of the premise: spectacular adventure on Skull Island. Kong and Ann's relationship develops through her vaudeville performance. The crew battles dinosaurs and island horrors while searching for Ann.
Opposition
Jack rescues Ann from Kong, breaking their bond. Carl captures Kong and transports him to New York. The natural world's majesty is replaced by human exploitation and commodification. Kong is chained and displayed.
Collapse
Kong breaks free during the Broadway spectacle and rampages through New York searching for Ann. The commodification of wonder leads to destruction. Carl's dream dies as his "triumph" becomes catastrophe.
Crisis
Kong and Ann reunite in Central Park, sharing a brief moment of peace on the frozen lake, but both know this cannot last. The military closes in. Ann must choose between safety and connection.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Atop the Empire State Building, Kong and Ann share a final moment watching the sunrise—a callback to their sunset on Skull Island. Biplanes attack. Ann tries to save him but cannot stop the inevitable.
Transformation
Ann cradles the dying Kong in the street while Carl Denham delivers his final line: "It wasn't the airplanes. It was Beauty killed the Beast." Ann, transformed by love and loss, knows the terrible cost of wonder commodified.