Labyrinth
Teenager Sarah is forced by her father and her stepmother to babysit her baby brother Toby while they are outside home. Toby does not stop crying and Sarah wishes that her stepbrother be taken by the Goblin King Jareth. Out of the blue, Toby stops crying and when Sarah looks for him in the cradle, she learns that her wish was granted and the Goblin King Jareth has taken him to his castle in the Goblin City in the middle of a labyrinth. Sarah repents and asks Jareth to give Toby back; but the Goblin King tells her that she has to rescue her brother before midnight. Soon Sarah teams up with some allies. Will they rescue Toby in time?
The film underperformed commercially against its moderate budget of $25.0M, earning $12.7M globally (-49% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling within the adventure genre.
Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award4 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%)
Labyrinth (1986) exhibits precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Jim Henson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 41 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.4, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Sarah rehearses lines from her fantasy book in the park, lost in her own imaginary world, escaping responsibility and reality. She's dressed like her favorite character, romanticizing adventure while avoiding her real life as a teenage girl with a baby brother.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when In anger at crying baby Toby, Sarah wishes him away to the Goblin King: "I wish the goblins would come and take you away right now!" The goblins actually appear and take him. Her fantasy has become terrifyingly real.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Sarah actively chooses to enter the Labyrinth to rescue Toby, accepting the challenge despite her fear. She steps through the gate and into the maze, leaving the normal world behind and committing to the quest., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Sarah bites the poisoned peach Jareth gives her through Hoggle. She falls into a dream world/junkyard of her memories where an old woman tries to make her forget Toby by surrounding her with her toys and childhood things. False defeat—she's trapped in her own immaturity., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Sarah and her friends are separated. Jareth sends her into the Escher-like stairs room where she's completely alone and disoriented. He offers her "everything she's ever wanted" if she just gives up. She's isolated from her friends and nearly broken., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. The Labyrinth shatters. Sarah returns to her room with Toby safe. She reconciles her fantasy life with reality—putting away some childish things but keeping the magic. Her friends from the Labyrinth appear to celebrate, showing she can have both maturity and imagination., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Labyrinth's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Labyrinth against these established plot points, we can identify how Jim Henson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Labyrinth within the adventure genre.
Jim Henson's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Jim Henson films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Labyrinth takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jim Henson filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more Jim Henson analyses, see The Great Muppet Caper.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Sarah rehearses lines from her fantasy book in the park, lost in her own imaginary world, escaping responsibility and reality. She's dressed like her favorite character, romanticizing adventure while avoiding her real life as a teenage girl with a baby brother.
Theme
Jareth (disguised as the Goblin King in her book): "You say you want me to take the child, but you don't really mean it." The theme of being careful what you wish for and taking responsibility for your words is introduced through Sarah's own recitation of the story.
Worldbuilding
Sarah returns home late, argues with her stepmother about babysitting Toby. We see her bedroom filled with toys and fantasy items—she's caught between childhood and adulthood. Her resentment toward her baby brother and her self-centered worldview are established.
Disruption
In anger at crying baby Toby, Sarah wishes him away to the Goblin King: "I wish the goblins would come and take you away right now!" The goblins actually appear and take him. Her fantasy has become terrifyingly real.
Resistance
Sarah meets Jareth who offers her a deal: solve the labyrinth in 13 hours or Toby becomes a goblin forever. She debates whether this is real, tries to deny it, but realizes she must take responsibility. Jareth manipulates time and reality, showing her the stakes.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Sarah actively chooses to enter the Labyrinth to rescue Toby, accepting the challenge despite her fear. She steps through the gate and into the maze, leaving the normal world behind and committing to the quest.
Premise
Sarah explores the magical labyrinth, meeting strange creatures and allies (Hoggle, Ludo, Sir Didymus). She solves puzzles, escapes dangers, and experiences the wonder and terror of the fantasy world. This is the adventure she always wanted—but with real consequences.
Midpoint
Sarah bites the poisoned peach Jareth gives her through Hoggle. She falls into a dream world/junkyard of her memories where an old woman tries to make her forget Toby by surrounding her with her toys and childhood things. False defeat—she's trapped in her own immaturity.
Opposition
Sarah escapes the dream and reunites with her friends, but Jareth's obstacles intensify. The Bog of Eternal Stench, the Goblin City gates, increasingly difficult challenges. Jareth watches, manipulates, and tries to make her give up. Time is running out.
Collapse
Sarah and her friends are separated. Jareth sends her into the Escher-like stairs room where she's completely alone and disoriented. He offers her "everything she's ever wanted" if she just gives up. She's isolated from her friends and nearly broken.
Crisis
Sarah struggles emotionally in the disorienting maze while Jareth tempts her with dreams and illusions. She processes her loneliness and doubt, nearly giving in to his seduction and offers of escape from responsibility.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The Labyrinth shatters. Sarah returns to her room with Toby safe. She reconciles her fantasy life with reality—putting away some childish things but keeping the magic. Her friends from the Labyrinth appear to celebrate, showing she can have both maturity and imagination.