ParaNorman
In the town of Blithe Hollow, Norman Babcock can speak to the dead, but no one other than his eccentric new friend believes his ability is real. One day, Norman's eccentric uncle tells him of a ritual he must perform to protect the town from a curse cast by a witch centuries ago.
Working with a mid-range budget of $60.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $107.3M in global revenue (+79% profit margin).
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%)
ParaNorman (2012) exhibits deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Sam Fell's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 33 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 Norman watches a zombie movie with his grandmother's ghost in their living room, establishing his ability to see and talk to the dead - a gift that isolates him from everyone else.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Norman's crazy uncle Mr. Prenderghast confronts him in the bathroom, revealing that Norman must perform an annual ritual to keep the witch's curse from raising the dead, and that he's dying - making Norman the only one who can do it.. At 13% 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Norman chooses to retrieve the book from his uncle's house and perform the ritual. He commits to his role as the one who can see the dead, accepting his supernatural responsibility despite his fear., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Norman discovers the ritual failed because the "grave" isn't a grave - it's where the witch was executed. The stakes raise as he realizes he doesn't understand the curse at all, and the zombies reveal they're not the villains - they're the ones who killed the witch., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 70 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Norman is rejected by everyone - his friends leave him, his family doesn't understand, the mob turns on him. He's completely alone, and the witch's supernatural rage threatens to destroy the entire town. His mission seems impossible., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 75 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Norman confronts the witch's spirit alone, speaking to her with empathy about her pain and loneliness. He helps her remember kindness before her death, breaking the cycle of vengeance. She finally lets go and passes on peacefully. The town is saved., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
ParaNorman's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping ParaNorman against these established plot points, we can identify how Sam Fell utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish ParaNorman within the family genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional family films include The Bad Guys, Like A Rolling Stone and Cats Don't Dance.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Norman watches a zombie movie with his grandmother's ghost in their living room, establishing his ability to see and talk to the dead - a gift that isolates him from everyone else.
Theme
Norman's father tells him "You can't stop bullying by being different" - stating the central thematic question of whether conformity or embracing difference is the path to acceptance.
Worldbuilding
Norman's ordinary world in Blithe Hollow: bullied at school, misunderstood by his family (except his grandmother's ghost), befriended only by the enthusiastic Neil. The town exploits its witch trial history for tourism.
Disruption
Norman's crazy uncle Mr. Prenderghast confronts him in the bathroom, revealing that Norman must perform an annual ritual to keep the witch's curse from raising the dead, and that he's dying - making Norman the only one who can do it.
Resistance
Norman resists his destiny, tries to ignore it, but his uncle dies. Norman sees his uncle's ghost who explains the ritual must be performed at the grave by sundown. Norman debates whether to believe it, struggles with the responsibility.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Norman chooses to retrieve the book from his uncle's house and perform the ritual. He commits to his role as the one who can see the dead, accepting his supernatural responsibility despite his fear.
Premise
The "fun and games" of Norman's supernatural adventure: retrieving the book, performing the ritual at the grave, accidentally raising the dead instead of stopping it, zombies rising, the town panicking, Norman and his misfit group running from both zombies and angry townspeople.
Midpoint
Norman discovers the ritual failed because the "grave" isn't a grave - it's where the witch was executed. The stakes raise as he realizes he doesn't understand the curse at all, and the zombies reveal they're not the villains - they're the ones who killed the witch.
Opposition
The witch's storm intensifies, the townspeople form an angry mob (mirroring the past), Norman's group fractures under pressure. Norman learns the truth: the witch was a little girl like him who could see the dead, and the "honorable" townspeople murdered her.
Collapse
Norman is rejected by everyone - his friends leave him, his family doesn't understand, the mob turns on him. He's completely alone, and the witch's supernatural rage threatens to destroy the entire town. His mission seems impossible.
Crisis
Norman sits alone in despair as destruction rages around him. He processes his isolation and recognizes his own pain in the witch's story - she was punished for being different, just as he is bullied for the same reason.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Norman confronts the witch's spirit alone, speaking to her with empathy about her pain and loneliness. He helps her remember kindness before her death, breaking the cycle of vengeance. She finally lets go and passes on peacefully. The town is saved.