Mulan
When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Chinese Army to defend the country from Huns, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. She is spirited, determined and quick on her feet. Disguised as a man by the name of Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her innermost strength and embrace her true potential.
The film commercial failure against its major studio investment of $200.0M, earning $70.0M globally (-65% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its bold vision within the adventure genre.
Nominated for 2 Oscars. 11 wins & 42 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%)
Mulan (2020) demonstrates meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of Niki Caro's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 55 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Hua Mulan
Commander Tung
Xianniang
Böri Khan
Honghui
Hua Zhou
Hua Li
The Emperor
Main Cast & Characters
Hua Mulan
Played by Yifei Liu
A young woman who disguises herself as a man to take her father's place in the Imperial Army, discovering her true power through her journey.
Commander Tung
Played by Donnie Yen
The respected leader of the Imperial Army who becomes Mulan's mentor and recognizes her warrior spirit.
Xianniang
Played by Gong Li
A powerful witch aligned with the invaders who struggles between her loyalty and recognition of Mulan's similar gifts.
Böri Khan
Played by Jason Scott Lee
The ruthless leader of the Rouran warriors seeking revenge against the Emperor and China.
Honghui
Played by Yoson An
A skilled and confident soldier in Mulan's battalion who becomes her rival and ally.
Hua Zhou
Played by Tzi Ma
Mulan's aging father, a revered war veteran whose devotion to duty inspires his daughter.
Hua Li
Played by Rosalind Chao
Mulan's loving mother who wants her daughter to bring honor through marriage.
The Emperor
Played by Jet Li
The wise ruler of China whose kingdom is threatened by invasion.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Young Mulan chases a chicken across village rooftops, displaying her chi powers and fearless nature. She's spirited but out of step with societal expectations for women.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when The Emperor's decree arrives: one man from each family must join the Imperial Army to fight the Rouran invasion led by Böri Khan. Mulan's disabled father is conscripted.. 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 23% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Mulan steals her father's sword and armor and rides away in the night, making the active choice to disguise herself as a man and take her father's place in the army., moving from reaction to action.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 48% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat The army faces a devastating ambush in the mountains. Mulan uses her chi to trigger an avalanche, saving her battalion but getting wounded. False defeat: her identity may be exposed when treated for injuries., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 85 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The witch Xianniang dies protecting Mulan from an arrow, sacrificing herself. Xianniang's death represents the death of living a lie—she tells Mulan to be true to herself., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 91 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Mulan removes her armor and returns to the Imperial City as herself—no disguise. She warns the Emperor and her former battalion of the attack, now fighting as her true self with full chi power unleashed., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Mulan's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Mulan against these established plot points, we can identify how Niki Caro utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Mulan within the adventure genre.
Niki Caro's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Niki Caro films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Mulan takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Niki Caro filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include The Black Stallion, The Bad Guys and Puss in Boots. For more Niki Caro analyses, see Whale Rider, The Zookeeper's Wife and McFarland, USA.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young Mulan chases a chicken across village rooftops, displaying her chi powers and fearless nature. She's spirited but out of step with societal expectations for women.
Theme
Mulan's father tells her: "Your job is to bring honor to the family... be a good wife." The theme of true self versus duty is established.
Worldbuilding
Mulan struggles with matchmaker expectations and traditional gender roles. Her family prepares her to meet the matchmaker while her warrior father trains despite his war injuries. The peaceful village life is established.
Disruption
The Emperor's decree arrives: one man from each family must join the Imperial Army to fight the Rouran invasion led by Böri Khan. Mulan's disabled father is conscripted.
Resistance
Mulan debates internally whether to let her father go to certain death. She watches him practice despite his limp. Her family discusses duty and honor. Mulan wrestles with her obligation versus her true nature.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Mulan steals her father's sword and armor and rides away in the night, making the active choice to disguise herself as a man and take her father's place in the army.
Mirror World
Mulan meets Commander Tung at training camp, who becomes her mentor. She also connects with fellow soldiers Chen Honghui, Yao, Po, and Cricket, forming bonds while hiding her identity.
Premise
Mulan trains with the army while concealing her gender. She struggles initially but learns to harness her chi. The promise of the premise: watching Mulan navigate warrior training while maintaining her disguise.
Midpoint
The army faces a devastating ambush in the mountains. Mulan uses her chi to trigger an avalanche, saving her battalion but getting wounded. False defeat: her identity may be exposed when treated for injuries.
Opposition
Mulan's deception is revealed to the army. She's expelled and abandoned. The witch Xianniang reveals the enemy's plan to attack the Emperor. Mulan must choose between accepting exile or risking everything to warn the Imperial City.
Collapse
The witch Xianniang dies protecting Mulan from an arrow, sacrificing herself. Xianniang's death represents the death of living a lie—she tells Mulan to be true to herself.
Crisis
Mulan mourns Xianniang and processes the sacrifice. She reflects on truth, honor, and loyalty. She realizes she must embrace all aspects of herself—woman, warrior, daughter—to achieve true honor.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Mulan removes her armor and returns to the Imperial City as herself—no disguise. She warns the Emperor and her former battalion of the attack, now fighting as her true self with full chi power unleashed.
Synthesis
The final battle at the Imperial City. Mulan leads the defense, defeats Böri Khan, and saves the Emperor. She synthesizes her warrior skills with her true identity, no longer hiding who she is.
Transformation
Mulan returns home and presents her father with the Emperor's sword, bringing true honor to her family. Her father casts the sword aside and embraces her: "Your greatest gift is having you for a daughter." She is accepted for who she truly is.