Robin Hood
A war-hardened Crusader and his Moorish commander mount an audacious revolt against the corrupt English crown.
The film disappointed at the box office against its considerable budget of $100.0M, earning $86.5M globally (-14% loss).
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%)
Robin Hood (2018) exhibits carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Otto Bathurst's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 56 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Robin of Loxley
Little John
Marian
Sheriff of Nottingham
Will Scarlet
Friar Tuck
Cardinal
Main Cast & Characters
Robin of Loxley
Played by Taron Egerton
A war-hardened Crusader who returns home to find corruption and becomes the hooded vigilante Robin Hood.
Little John
Played by Jamie Foxx
A Moorish warrior who trains Robin in combat and becomes his mentor and closest ally.
Marian
Played by Eve Hewson
Robin's former love interest who has moved on and become involved in the resistance movement.
Sheriff of Nottingham
Played by Ben Mendelsohn
The ruthless and corrupt enforcer who exploits the people and serves as Robin's primary antagonist.
Will Scarlet
Played by Jamie Dornan
Marian's current partner and a leader in the resistance against the Sheriff's oppression.
Friar Tuck
Played by Tim Minchin
A religious figure who aids the resistance and provides moral guidance to Robin's cause.
Cardinal
Played by F. Murray Abraham
The powerful church official orchestrating the war and corruption from behind the scenes.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Robin of Loxley lives as a wealthy nobleman in Nottingham, throwing lavish parties and enjoying his privileged life. He meets and falls in love with Marian, a spirited woman who challenges his sheltered worldview.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Robin is forcibly conscripted and sent to fight in the Arabian Crusades, torn away from Marian and his estate. His privileged life is shattered by the brutal reality of war.. 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Robin makes the conscious choice to become the hooded vigilante, accepting John's training to steal from the Sheriff and redistribute wealth to the people. He commits to living a double life., moving from reaction to action.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False victory: Robin executes a major heist at the Sheriff's treasury gala, stealing massive wealth in front of Nottingham's elite and humiliating the Sheriff. The Hood becomes a legendary hero, but this raises the stakes—the Sheriff vows to crush the rebellion and suspects someone from the inside., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 87 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Robin's identity is exposed by Will Scarlet, who betrays him to the Sheriff. The rebellion is crushed, resistance members are captured and executed. John is gravely wounded. Robin loses everything—his cover, his allies, and Marian's trust. The movement appears dead., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 92 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Robin discovers the Sheriff's ultimate plan: to use the Church's wealth to fund a coup and overthrow the King. Robin realizes this is bigger than Nottingham—he must stop a nationwide conspiracy. He rallies the remaining allies for one final stand., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Robin Hood'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 Robin Hood against these established plot points, we can identify how Otto Bathurst utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Robin Hood within the adventure genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include The Black Stallion, The Bad Guys and Puss in Boots.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Robin of Loxley lives as a wealthy nobleman in Nottingham, throwing lavish parties and enjoying his privileged life. He meets and falls in love with Marian, a spirited woman who challenges his sheltered worldview.
Theme
Marian tells Robin that the people are suffering under the Sheriff's corruption and taxation. She hints at the theme: those with power have a responsibility to fight for those without it.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Nottingham's social hierarchy, Robin's romance with Marian, and the oppressive rule of the Sheriff. The church and nobility exploit the common people through taxes for the Crusades.
Disruption
Robin is forcibly conscripted and sent to fight in the Arabian Crusades, torn away from Marian and his estate. His privileged life is shattered by the brutal reality of war.
Resistance
Robin experiences the horrors of the Crusades and meets John (later Little John), a Saracen warrior whose son Robin tries to save. After four years, Robin returns to find his estate seized, Marian presumed him dead, and the Sheriff in complete control. John finds Robin and proposes they work together to fight corruption.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Robin makes the conscious choice to become the hooded vigilante, accepting John's training to steal from the Sheriff and redistribute wealth to the people. He commits to living a double life.
Mirror World
Robin reconnects with Marian, who is now with Will Scarlet and working with the resistance. This relationship subplot will teach Robin about sacrifice, trust, and fighting for something greater than revenge.
Premise
The "fun and games" of Robin Hood's heists. Robin steals from the Sheriff's mining operation and redistribution centers, gaining the people's support. He infiltrates high society as Robin of Loxley while operating as "The Hood" at night, performing increasingly daring robberies.
Midpoint
False victory: Robin executes a major heist at the Sheriff's treasury gala, stealing massive wealth in front of Nottingham's elite and humiliating the Sheriff. The Hood becomes a legendary hero, but this raises the stakes—the Sheriff vows to crush the rebellion and suspects someone from the inside.
Opposition
The Sheriff intensifies his crackdown, turning Nottingham into a police state. Will Scarlet grows suspicious of Robin. The Cardinal arrives with the full backing of the Church, raising the stakes to a national level. Robin's double life becomes increasingly difficult to maintain.
Collapse
Robin's identity is exposed by Will Scarlet, who betrays him to the Sheriff. The rebellion is crushed, resistance members are captured and executed. John is gravely wounded. Robin loses everything—his cover, his allies, and Marian's trust. The movement appears dead.
Crisis
Robin retreats in despair, believing he's failed everyone. He must confront whether he's been fighting for revenge or true justice. John recovers enough to remind Robin of why they started—not for glory, but for the people.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Robin discovers the Sheriff's ultimate plan: to use the Church's wealth to fund a coup and overthrow the King. Robin realizes this is bigger than Nottingham—he must stop a nationwide conspiracy. He rallies the remaining allies for one final stand.
Synthesis
The finale battle: Robin and the people of Nottingham rise up against the Sheriff's forces. Robin confronts the Sheriff directly, using both his nobleman skills and Hood training. The rebellion succeeds in exposing the conspiracy. The Sheriff is defeated, and the people reclaim their city.
Transformation
Robin fully embraces his identity as the people's champion, no longer the naive nobleman from the opening. He and Marian reunite as equals. The legend of Robin Hood is born—not as a myth, but as a symbol of resistance against tyranny.