Noah
Noah is chosen by God to undertake a momentous mission before an apocalyptic flood cleanses the world.
Despite a considerable budget of $125.0M, Noah became a box office success, earning $362.6M worldwide—a 190% return.
1 win & 19 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Young Noah witnesses his father Lamech's murder by Tubal-cain's men, inheriting the serpent skin relic. The world is shown as barren and violent, descendants of Cain dominating the earth.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 23 minutes when Noah receives a vivid vision from the Creator showing the coming flood that will destroy all flesh. He sees animals seeking refuge and understands he must build an ark to preserve innocent creation while humanity faces judgment.. At 17% 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 38 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 27% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Noah fully commits to building the ark. With the Watchers' help, construction begins. The family dedicates themselves completely to the divine mission, leaving their old life behind., moving from reaction to action.
At 74 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 53% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat The flood begins and the family is sealed in the ark. False victory: they've survived the initial onslaught. But Noah reveals his dark interpretation—humanity must end with them, no wives for Ham and Japheth. Tubal-cain secretly boards the ark. Stakes raised dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 100 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Noah discovers Ila's pregnancy and declares he will kill the infant if female. The family is horrified. Naameh condemns Noah's interpretation. Ila tries to escape but cannot. The whiff of death: hope for humanity's future seems lost to Noah's madness., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 115 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 83% of the runtime. Noah cannot kill the babies. He chooses mercy and kisses them. This is his realization that love and compassion are also divine qualities. Ham kills Tubal-cain, saving his father. The flood waters recede and land appears. Synthesis of justice and mercy achieved., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Noah'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 Noah against these established plot points, we can identify how Darren Aronofsky utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Noah within the action genre.
Darren Aronofsky's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Darren Aronofsky films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.2, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Noah exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Darren Aronofsky filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Darren Aronofsky analyses, see mother!, Black Swan and The Whale.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young Noah witnesses his father Lamech's murder by Tubal-cain's men, inheriting the serpent skin relic. The world is shown as barren and violent, descendants of Cain dominating the earth.
Theme
Lamech tells young Noah about the Creator's plan and protecting creation: "The choice is yours." Theme of justice versus mercy, and humanity's responsibility to creation is established.
Worldbuilding
Adult Noah lives with wife Naameh and sons in the devastated world. They rescue wounded Ila. Noah experiences disturbing dreams of a coming flood. The wickedness of Tubal-cain's industrial civilization is shown, contrasting with Noah's simple stewardship of the land.
Disruption
Noah receives a vivid vision from the Creator showing the coming flood that will destroy all flesh. He sees animals seeking refuge and understands he must build an ark to preserve innocent creation while humanity faces judgment.
Resistance
Noah seeks wisdom from his grandfather Methuselah. The family debates the vision's meaning. Methuselah gives Noah a seed from Eden that miraculously grows into a forest overnight, providing materials for the ark. The Watchers initially refuse to help but are swayed by the miracle.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Noah fully commits to building the ark. With the Watchers' help, construction begins. The family dedicates themselves completely to the divine mission, leaving their old life behind.
Mirror World
Ila and Shem's love story deepens, representing hope, compassion, and humanity's potential for goodness. This relationship becomes the thematic counterpoint to Noah's increasingly rigid interpretation of justice.
Premise
Ark construction montage. Animals arrive in pairs by divine instinct. Ham ventures out seeking a wife and meets Na'el, but she's killed in a stampede fleeing Tubal-cain's army. The Watchers defend the ark from attackers. The epic scale of the mission unfolds.
Midpoint
The flood begins and the family is sealed in the ark. False victory: they've survived the initial onslaught. But Noah reveals his dark interpretation—humanity must end with them, no wives for Ham and Japheth. Tubal-cain secretly boards the ark. Stakes raised dramatically.
Opposition
Tension escalates inside the ark. Noah becomes fanatical about ending humanity. Ila is miraculously pregnant. Noah vows to kill the baby if it's a girl. Tubal-cain manipulates Ham, exploiting his resentment. The family turns against Noah's extremism. Internal and external enemies close in.
Collapse
Noah discovers Ila's pregnancy and declares he will kill the infant if female. The family is horrified. Naameh condemns Noah's interpretation. Ila tries to escape but cannot. The whiff of death: hope for humanity's future seems lost to Noah's madness.
Crisis
Ila gives birth to twin girls. Noah approaches with a knife to kill them as the family watches in horror. Ham releases Tubal-cain who fights Noah. This is Noah's dark night—the moral crisis between justice and mercy, duty and love.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Noah cannot kill the babies. He chooses mercy and kisses them. This is his realization that love and compassion are also divine qualities. Ham kills Tubal-cain, saving his father. The flood waters recede and land appears. Synthesis of justice and mercy achieved.
Synthesis
The ark lands. The family exits to the new world. Noah isolates himself in shame and guilt, drinking in despair. Ila confronts him, explaining the Creator chose him knowing he would choose mercy. Noah blesses his family and accepts his role. Ham leaves to find his own path.
Transformation
The family stands together beneath the rainbow—God's covenant with creation. Noah has accepted his choice of mercy. New life and hope for humanity begins. Transformation from the opening murder and fall to redemption and renewal. The cycle breaks.