Luck
The curtain is pulled back on the millennia-old battle between the organizations of good luck and bad luck that secretly affects everyday lives.
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%)
Luck (2022) showcases strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of Peggy Holmes's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 45 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Sam Greenfield wakes up in her small apartment, experiencing yet another stroke of bad luck as things go comically wrong around her, establishing her as the unluckiest person in the world.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Sam discovers a magical lucky penny dropped by Bob the black cat, and suddenly her terrible luck reverses completely, giving her hope that things can change.. 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 indicates the protagonist's commitment to Sam follows Bob through the portal and enters the Land of Luck, a magical realm where luck is manufactured and distributed to humans, making the active choice to pursue a lucky penny for Hazel., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Sam successfully obtains a lucky penny after an elaborate heist through the luck factory, believing she has accomplished her mission and can return to give Hazel good luck. False victory as she doesn't realize the consequences., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Sam is captured and the lucky penny is destroyed. Bob abandons her to save himself. Sam faces the reality that her bad luck has now endangered everyone, and she may never be able to help Hazel or return home., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Bob returns to rescue Sam, having realized that true luck comes from the connections we make with others. Sam understands that being there for people matters more than magical good fortune. Together they decide to restore balance to the Land of Luck., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Luck'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 Luck against these established plot points, we can identify how Peggy Holmes utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Luck within the animation genre.
Peggy Holmes's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Peggy Holmes films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Luck takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Peggy Holmes filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower. For more Peggy Holmes analyses, see Tinker Bell and the Pirate Fairy.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Sam Greenfield wakes up in her small apartment, experiencing yet another stroke of bad luck as things go comically wrong around her, establishing her as the unluckiest person in the world.
Theme
At the foster care facility, it's suggested that luck isn't something you're born with but something that can be shared and created through connection with others.
Worldbuilding
Sam's life as the unluckiest person is established. She works helping children at a foster home get adopted, having aged out herself. She particularly bonds with Hazel, a young girl she hopes will find a family.
Disruption
Sam discovers a magical lucky penny dropped by Bob the black cat, and suddenly her terrible luck reverses completely, giving her hope that things can change.
Resistance
Sam experiences good luck for the first time but accidentally loses the penny down the drain. She follows Bob the cat and debates whether to pursue him to the Land of Luck to get another penny for Hazel.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Sam follows Bob through the portal and enters the Land of Luck, a magical realm where luck is manufactured and distributed to humans, making the active choice to pursue a lucky penny for Hazel.
Mirror World
Bob reluctantly agrees to help Sam navigate the Land of Luck. Their partnership introduces the thematic counterpoint: Bob, who has always had luck, begins to understand what it means to help others despite the risk to himself.
Premise
Sam explores the fantastical Land of Luck with Bob, encountering leprechauns, lucky rabbits, and the massive luck-manufacturing facility. They attempt various schemes to obtain a lucky penny, with Sam's bad luck causing chaos in the perfectly ordered realm.
Midpoint
Sam successfully obtains a lucky penny after an elaborate heist through the luck factory, believing she has accomplished her mission and can return to give Hazel good luck. False victory as she doesn't realize the consequences.
Opposition
Sam's actions have disrupted the balance of luck. The Dragon, guardian of the Land of Luck, pursues them. Sam and Bob's friendship is tested as they flee through increasingly dangerous territory. Sam learns Bob has his own troubled past and fears of abandonment.
Collapse
Sam is captured and the lucky penny is destroyed. Bob abandons her to save himself. Sam faces the reality that her bad luck has now endangered everyone, and she may never be able to help Hazel or return home.
Crisis
Sam is imprisoned and reflects on her life of bad luck and loneliness. She questions whether she deserves good things and whether her attempts to help Hazel were selfish. She accepts that maybe luck isn't the answer.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Bob returns to rescue Sam, having realized that true luck comes from the connections we make with others. Sam understands that being there for people matters more than magical good fortune. Together they decide to restore balance to the Land of Luck.
Synthesis
Sam and Bob work together to restore the balance of luck, confronting the Dragon and proving that bad luck and good luck are both necessary parts of life. Sam's unique ability to generate bad luck becomes the key to saving everyone.
Transformation
Sam returns home, no longer the unluckiest person. Hazel finds her forever family. Sam realizes she has made her own luck through love and connection. She adopts Bob, and they become a family - the thing she always truly needed.