Over the Hedge
A scheming raccoon fools a mismatched family of forest creatures into helping him repay a debt of food, by invading the new suburban sprawl that popped up while they were hibernating – and learns a lesson about family himself.
Despite a substantial budget of $80.0M, Over the Hedge became a financial success, earning $343.4M worldwide—a 329% return.
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%)
Over the Hedge (2006) exemplifies deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Karey Kirkpatrick's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 24 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 RJ the raccoon raids a vending machine and lives as a lone scavenger, establishing his solitary, opportunistic lifestyle driven by hunger and greed.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 8 minutes when RJ discovers the suburban neighborhood filled with food and spots Verne's family—realizing he can manipulate them to gather Vincent's food for him. The collision of these two story worlds.. At 10% 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 20 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to The family actively chooses to cross the hedge together for the first time, venturing into the human world to gather food. Verne reluctantly agrees, and they commit to RJ's plan., moving from reaction to action.
At 41 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False victory: The animals succeed in gathering the massive wagon full of food—everything RJ needs for Vincent. But Gladys calls the Verminator, raising the stakes. RJ has the food but must now choose between his survival and the family., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 61 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Verne discovers RJ's true motives and exposes him to the family. The entire family is captured by the Verminator. RJ's deception dies, and he loses the only real friends he ever had. He takes the food to Vincent, completely alone., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 66 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. RJ makes the choice to sacrifice Vincent's food and his own safety to save the family. He returns, tricks Vincent, and formulates a plan combining his street smarts with Verne's family unity., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Over the Hedge's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Over the Hedge against these established plot points, we can identify how Karey Kirkpatrick utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Over the Hedge within the family genre.
Karey Kirkpatrick's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Karey Kirkpatrick films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Over the Hedge represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Karey Kirkpatrick filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional family films include The Bad Guys, Like A Rolling Stone and Cats Don't Dance. For more Karey Kirkpatrick analyses, see Imagine That.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
RJ the raccoon raids a vending machine and lives as a lone scavenger, establishing his solitary, opportunistic lifestyle driven by hunger and greed.
Theme
Vincent the bear tells RJ, "That's my stuff! You take somebody's stuff and they will come after you." Theme of consequences and the value we place on possessions vs. relationships.
Worldbuilding
RJ tries to steal Vincent's massive food cache but destroys it. Vincent gives RJ one week to replace everything or be killed. Meanwhile, Verne's family awakens from hibernation to find a massive hedge has appeared, dividing their forest from a new suburb.
Disruption
RJ discovers the suburban neighborhood filled with food and spots Verne's family—realizing he can manipulate them to gather Vincent's food for him. The collision of these two story worlds.
Resistance
RJ ingratiates himself with the forest animals, teaching them about human food and the suburbs. Verne is skeptical and cautious, creating tension. RJ manipulates their fears and desires while building their trust.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The family actively chooses to cross the hedge together for the first time, venturing into the human world to gather food. Verne reluctantly agrees, and they commit to RJ's plan.
Mirror World
RJ experiences genuine fun and camaraderie with the family during their first successful raids. Hammy the squirrel and the others show RJ what real friendship looks like, contrasting with his manipulative intentions.
Premise
Heist sequences and montages of the animals raiding suburbia, gathering food, having close calls with Gladys and the Verminator. RJ gets closer to his goal while growing attached to the family despite himself.
Midpoint
False victory: The animals succeed in gathering the massive wagon full of food—everything RJ needs for Vincent. But Gladys calls the Verminator, raising the stakes. RJ has the food but must now choose between his survival and the family.
Opposition
The Verminator sets traps. Gladys intensifies her assault. Verne grows more suspicious of RJ. RJ's deception becomes harder to maintain. The animals face increasing danger, and RJ's internal conflict between self-preservation and genuine care intensifies.
Collapse
Verne discovers RJ's true motives and exposes him to the family. The entire family is captured by the Verminator. RJ's deception dies, and he loses the only real friends he ever had. He takes the food to Vincent, completely alone.
Crisis
RJ delivers the food to Vincent but cannot enjoy his survival. He watches the family being taken away and wrestles with his conscience. The moment of dark realization that stuff means nothing without relationships.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
RJ makes the choice to sacrifice Vincent's food and his own safety to save the family. He returns, tricks Vincent, and formulates a plan combining his street smarts with Verne's family unity.
Synthesis
The family works together with RJ to escape the Verminator and Gladys. Massive finale involving Hammy's energy drink sprint, the hedge destruction, and Vincent being defeated by his own greed. RJ and Verne unite their approaches.
Transformation
RJ is now part of the family, sharing a small amount of food together in the forest. Mirror to opening: RJ went from solitary scavenger hoarding food to someone who values relationships over possessions, eating together with loved ones.