Nice View
20-year-old Jing Hao came to Shenzhen to live with his young sister alone. The siblings live a warm yet straitened life. In an effort to pay for his sister's expensive surgery, Jing Hao gets an opportunity by chance, thinking that a better life is coming, but unexpectedly encounters a serious setback. Under the pressure of both time and money, Jing Hao, who has no way out, decides to take a desperate gamble. Can this ignite the spark of hope for his troubled ordinary life?
The film earned $211.0M at the global box office.
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%)
Nice View (2022) demonstrates meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Wen Muye's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 46 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jing Hao works as a deliveryman in Chongqing, struggling to make ends meet while caring for his younger sister Jing Tong who needs expensive medical treatment. We see his daily grind navigating the city's steep streets on his electric scooter.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Jing Hao learns that his sister's condition has worsened and she needs an expensive emergency surgery that costs 300,000 yuan, money he doesn't have and cannot borrow. The hospital demands payment upfront or they cannot proceed.. 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 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Jing Hao makes the active choice to accept a morally compromising offer from a wealthy stranger named Liang An to participate in a high-stakes scheme, crossing the line from legal desperation into dangerous territory to save his sister., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All is lost: Jing Yi is seriously hurt because of Jing Hao's choices, and his sister's surgery is jeopardized. The whiff of death is literal as his brother lies injured. Everything Jing Hao did to save his family has now destroyed it. He has become the thing he feared., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Jing Hao executes his plan to extract his family from danger while taking accountability. He confronts Liang An, protects his siblings, and makes amends. The finale brings resolution to the schemes and relationships, showing Jing Hao transformed by his journey through darkness., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Nice View's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Nice View against these established plot points, we can identify how Wen Muye utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Nice View within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jing Hao works as a deliveryman in Chongqing, struggling to make ends meet while caring for his younger sister Jing Tong who needs expensive medical treatment. We see his daily grind navigating the city's steep streets on his electric scooter.
Theme
A doctor tells Jing Hao that "Family is not just about blood, it's about sacrifice" when discussing his sister's treatment options, establishing the central theme of what one will sacrifice for family.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Jing Hao's difficult life: his delivery job, mounting medical debts for his sister's tumor treatment, his strained relationship with his younger brother Jing Yi who dreams of escaping poverty through education, and the precarious nature of their existence in the city.
Disruption
Jing Hao learns that his sister's condition has worsened and she needs an expensive emergency surgery that costs 300,000 yuan, money he doesn't have and cannot borrow. The hospital demands payment upfront or they cannot proceed.
Resistance
Jing Hao desperately tries every legal avenue: applying for loans, seeking help from former employers, crowdfunding online, selling possessions. His brother Jing Yi suggests questionable schemes. They debate how far they're willing to go, with Jing Hao resisting illegal options.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jing Hao makes the active choice to accept a morally compromising offer from a wealthy stranger named Liang An to participate in a high-stakes scheme, crossing the line from legal desperation into dangerous territory to save his sister.
Mirror World
Introduction of Liang An's world of wealth and moral ambiguity. He becomes a dark mirror to Jing Hao, showing what happens when you choose money over principles. Their relationship will force Jing Hao to confront what he's willing to become.
Premise
Jing Hao navigates the dangerous scheme, getting deeper into morally gray territory. He experiences the promise of the premise: the desperate brother will do anything for family. Each step compromises him further while the money comes closer, creating mounting tension and moral conflict.
Opposition
The consequences close in. Liang An demands more from Jing Hao. His brother Jing Yi becomes endangered by association. The police begin investigating. Jing Hao's compromises catch up with him as he tries to protect his family while trapped in an increasingly dangerous situation.
Collapse
All is lost: Jing Yi is seriously hurt because of Jing Hao's choices, and his sister's surgery is jeopardized. The whiff of death is literal as his brother lies injured. Everything Jing Hao did to save his family has now destroyed it. He has become the thing he feared.
Crisis
Jing Hao's dark night of the soul. He sits with the consequences of his choices, processing his guilt and pain. He reflects on what family truly means and realizes that saving them by becoming a monster defeats the purpose. He must find another way.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Jing Hao executes his plan to extract his family from danger while taking accountability. He confronts Liang An, protects his siblings, and makes amends. The finale brings resolution to the schemes and relationships, showing Jing Hao transformed by his journey through darkness.