Onward
In a suburban fantasy world, two teenage elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, go on a journey to discover if there is still a little magic left out there in order to spend one last day with their father, who died when they were too young to remember him. Like any good quest, their journey is filled with magic spells, cryptic maps, impossible obstacles and unimaginable discoveries. When the boys' fearless mom, Laurel, realizes that her sons are missing, she teams up with the legendary winged-lion-scorpion former warrior -- The Manticore -- and heads off to find them. Perilous curses aside, this one magical day could mean more than any of them ever dreamed.
The film disappointed at the box office against its enormous budget of $200.0M, earning $141.9M globally (-29% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unconventional structure within the animation genre.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 4 wins & 64 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%)
Onward (2020) exhibits deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Dan Scanlon's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.5, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Ian Lightfoot
Barley Lightfoot
Laurel Lightfoot
The Manticore
Wilden Lightfoot
Colt Bronco
Main Cast & Characters
Ian Lightfoot
Played by Tom Holland
A shy, insecure teenage elf who embarks on a quest to spend one day with his deceased father using a magical staff.
Barley Lightfoot
Played by Chris Pratt
Ian's enthusiastic older brother, a devoted fan of a Dungeons & Dragons-style game who believes in the old ways of magic.
Laurel Lightfoot
Played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus
The supportive single mother of Ian and Barley who raised them after their father's death.
The Manticore
Played by Octavia Spencer
Once a legendary warrior who guided adventurers on quests, now the owner of a family restaurant who rediscovers her adventurous spirit.
Wilden Lightfoot
Played by Kyle Bornheimer
The deceased father of Ian and Barley who left behind a magical gift to spend one more day with his sons.
Colt Bronco
Played by Mel Rodriguez
A centaur police officer who is dating Laurel and tries to maintain a good relationship with her sons.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ian Lightfoot wakes on his 16th birthday in a suburban fantasy world where magic has been replaced by modern technology. He's anxious, insecure, and feels incomplete without ever having known his father.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Ian and Barley receive their father's magical staff and a spell to bring him back for one day. This gift disrupts their ordinary world and offers Ian the chance to meet his dad.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Ian actively chooses to embark on the quest with Barley, stealing Barley's van "Guinevere" and leaving their safe suburban world behind to find the Phoenix Gem before time runs out., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Ian successfully casts a growth spell to cross the canyon - a moment of triumph and false victory. He feels powerful and capable, but also begins dismissing Barley's guidance, creating tension that will lead to consequences., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 76 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Ian realizes he caused Barley to be cursed and nearly killed. Guinevere is destroyed (death of their quest vehicle). Ian confesses he's been a bad brother, his lowest emotional point as he faces losing both Barley and his chance to meet his dad., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Ian realizes Barley has been the father figure all along, teaching him confidence and believing in him. Armed with this synthesis of magic skills and emotional truth, Ian is ready for the final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Onward's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Onward against these established plot points, we can identify how Dan Scanlon utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Onward within the animation genre.
Dan Scanlon's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Dan Scanlon films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.5, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Onward exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Dan Scanlon filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll. For more Dan Scanlon analyses, see Monsters University.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ian Lightfoot wakes on his 16th birthday in a suburban fantasy world where magic has been replaced by modern technology. He's anxious, insecure, and feels incomplete without ever having known his father.
Theme
Laurel tells Ian that his father believed he had greatness in him. The theme: discovering that the father figure you need has been with you all along, and having confidence in yourself.
Worldbuilding
Ian's awkward day at high school, his insecurity and yearning for connection. Barley is introduced as the bold, reckless brother obsessed with magic and the past. Their mother Laurel presents a gift from their late father.
Disruption
Ian and Barley receive their father's magical staff and a spell to bring him back for one day. This gift disrupts their ordinary world and offers Ian the chance to meet his dad.
Resistance
Ian attempts the spell but only manifests his father's legs. They have 24 hours before he disappears. Barley convinces Ian they must quest for a Phoenix Gem to complete the spell. Ian resists undertaking this dangerous journey.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ian actively chooses to embark on the quest with Barley, stealing Barley's van "Guinevere" and leaving their safe suburban world behind to find the Phoenix Gem before time runs out.
Mirror World
Ian and Barley's brotherly dynamic deepens as they begin their adventure. Barley serves as Ian's guide to magic and confidence, representing the thematic relationship that will teach Ian what he truly needs.
Premise
The fun quest begins: following the map, encountering the Manticore, escaping pixie bikers, solving riddles, Ian learning magic and growing more confident. The brothers bond while pursuing the Phoenix Gem.
Midpoint
Ian successfully casts a growth spell to cross the canyon - a moment of triumph and false victory. He feels powerful and capable, but also begins dismissing Barley's guidance, creating tension that will lead to consequences.
Opposition
Ian's newfound confidence becomes arrogance. He clashes with Barley, rejecting his brother's help and instincts. The curse on Barley begins. The brothers argue and separate. Meanwhile, their mother and the Manticore pursue them, racing against time.
Collapse
Ian realizes he caused Barley to be cursed and nearly killed. Guinevere is destroyed (death of their quest vehicle). Ian confesses he's been a bad brother, his lowest emotional point as he faces losing both Barley and his chance to meet his dad.
Crisis
Ian processes his failure and recognizes what truly matters. He risks his one chance with his father to save Barley from the curse, choosing his living brother over his dead father's memory.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Ian realizes Barley has been the father figure all along, teaching him confidence and believing in him. Armed with this synthesis of magic skills and emotional truth, Ian is ready for the final confrontation.
Synthesis
Ian battles the dragon curse to protect Barley and their town. He uses all the magic he's learned, fully confident in himself. He allows Barley to have the final moments with their father while he fights, sacrificing his own wish.
Transformation
Ian, now confident and complete, embraces Barley. He doesn't need to meet his dad because Barley gave him everything a father would have. The closing image shows Ian fearless, playing with Barley, transformed from the anxious boy we met.