Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
When Puss in Boots discovers that his passion for adventure has taken its toll and he has burned through eight of his nine lives, he launches an epic journey to restore them by finding the mythical Last Wish.
Despite a considerable budget of $90.0M, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish became a box office success, earning $484.7M worldwide—a 439% return.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 8 wins & 57 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%)
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) demonstrates precise narrative design, characteristic of Joel Crawford's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 43 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Puss in Boots
Kitty Softpaws
Death
Perrito
Goldilocks
Big Jack Horner
Mama Bear
Papa Bear
Main Cast & Characters
Puss in Boots
Played by Antonio Banderas
A legendary outlaw cat who discovers he's down to his last life and must find the Wishing Star to restore his lost lives.
Kitty Softpaws
Played by Salma Hayek Pinault
A skilled thief cat and Puss's former fiancée who teams up with him to find the Wishing Star.
Death
Played by Wagner Moura
A mysterious wolf bounty hunter who relentlessly pursues Puss, personifying death itself.
Perrito
Played by Harvey Guillén
An optimistic therapy dog disguised as a cat who befriends Puss and helps him on his journey.
Goldilocks
Played by Florence Pugh
A crime boss who leads the Three Bears crime family in pursuit of the Wishing Star.
Big Jack Horner
Played by John Mulaney
A ruthless and greedy pastry mogul collecting magical artifacts who wants the Wishing Star for himself.
Mama Bear
Played by Olivia Colman
Goldilocks' adoptive mother and member of the Three Bears crime family.
Papa Bear
Played by Ray Winstone
Goldilocks' adoptive father and member of the Three Bears crime family.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Puss in Boots is the fearless legend, celebrating after defeating a giant with his signature arrogance and bravado, beloved by the town and living his best life as an invincible hero.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when The bell crushes Puss, and he wakes in the doctor's office to learn he has died 8 times and is on his last life. For the first time, Puss experiences true fear of death.. 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 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Puss decides to seek the Wishing Star to wish for his nine lives back. He actively chooses to leave retirement and embark on the quest, breaking out of the cat lady's house., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The Wolf appears and engages Puss in a brutal fight. Puss is completely overpowered and terrified, experiencing a panic attack. The Wolf reveals he is Death himself, and he's come for Puss. The stakes are now life and death., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Puss reaches the Wishing Star but realizes his selfishness has cost him everything. Kitty leaves him, revealing he left her at the altar. Puss is alone, exposed, and Death is coming. The dream of reclaiming his old life dies., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 83 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Puss destroys the map and chooses not to make the wish. He accepts his mortality and decides to fight for the life he has rather than wish for more lives. This realization transforms him., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish'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 Puss in Boots: The Last Wish against these established plot points, we can identify how Joel Crawford utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Puss in Boots: The Last Wish within the animation genre.
Joel Crawford's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Joel Crawford films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Joel Crawford filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll. For more Joel Crawford analyses, see The Croods: A New Age.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Puss in Boots is the fearless legend, celebrating after defeating a giant with his signature arrogance and bravado, beloved by the town and living his best life as an invincible hero.
Theme
The Governor warns Puss during the party: "You are no longer in your prime. You should retire." The theme of mortality, legacy, and valuing life over legend is introduced.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Puss as the overconfident, immortal legend who laughs at danger. His world is one of adoration, parties, and reckless heroism where he believes he cannot be touched.
Disruption
The bell crushes Puss, and he wakes in the doctor's office to learn he has died 8 times and is on his last life. For the first time, Puss experiences true fear of death.
Resistance
Puss debates retirement, struggling with his newfound mortality. He retreats to a cat lady's home, attempting to hide from danger and live as an ordinary cat, but hears about the Wishing Star.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Puss decides to seek the Wishing Star to wish for his nine lives back. He actively chooses to leave retirement and embark on the quest, breaking out of the cat lady's house.
Mirror World
Puss reunites with Kitty Softpaws in the forest. She represents the relationship subplot and thematic counterpoint—someone Puss betrayed in the past who challenges his selfish approach to life.
Premise
The adventure through the Dark Forest begins. Puss, Kitty, and Perrito journey toward the Wishing Star, facing magical obstacles and exploring the premise of the quest while Puss avoids confronting his fear.
Midpoint
The Wolf appears and engages Puss in a brutal fight. Puss is completely overpowered and terrified, experiencing a panic attack. The Wolf reveals he is Death himself, and he's come for Puss. The stakes are now life and death.
Opposition
Puss's fear intensifies as Death stalks him. His relationships strain—Kitty discovers his map deception, Perrito questions his friendship. All forces close in as they near the star, and Puss's cowardice threatens everything.
Collapse
Puss reaches the Wishing Star but realizes his selfishness has cost him everything. Kitty leaves him, revealing he left her at the altar. Puss is alone, exposed, and Death is coming. The dream of reclaiming his old life dies.
Crisis
Puss sits in darkness with Perrito, confronting his fear and loneliness. He opens up about being afraid to die and reflects on what he's lost by living only for legend. Perrito's friendship offers a glimmer of hope.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Puss destroys the map and chooses not to make the wish. He accepts his mortality and decides to fight for the life he has rather than wish for more lives. This realization transforms him.
Synthesis
Puss faces Death in a final battle, but now fights not out of arrogance but appreciation for life. He reconciles with Kitty, defeats Jack Horner with his team, and proves he's changed by valuing others over himself.
Transformation
Puss walks away with Kitty and Perrito, no longer the arrogant legend but a humble hero who values life and connection. Death acknowledges Puss has changed and lets him live. Puss has transformed from fearless to genuinely brave.