Ruby Red
On her 16th birthday, Gwendolyn Shepherd finds out that instead of her cousin, she has inherited a rare gene that allows her to travel through time.
The film earned $5.5M at the global box office.
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%)
Ruby Red (2013) reveals precise story structure, characteristic of Felix Fuchssteiner's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 2 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Gwendolyn Shepherd
Gideon de Villiers
Charlotte Montrose
Lesley Hay
Falk de Villiers
Paul de Villiers
Grace Shepherd
Main Cast & Characters
Gwendolyn Shepherd
Played by Maria Ehrich
A teenage girl who discovers she has inherited the ability to time travel through a gene passed down through her family.
Gideon de Villiers
Played by Jannis Niewöhner
A time traveler from an aristocratic family who initially appears cold and suspicious toward Gwendolyn.
Charlotte Montrose
Played by Laura Berlin
Gwendolyn's cousin who was raised believing she would be the time traveler, creating tension when Gwendolyn is revealed as the gene carrier.
Lesley Hay
Played by Josefine Preuß
Gwendolyn's best friend who provides comic relief and loyal support as Gwen navigates her new reality.
Falk de Villiers
Played by Johannes Silberschneider
The Grand Master of the secret society of time travelers who oversees thechronograph and the mission.
Paul de Villiers
Played by Florian Bartholomäi
A time traveler from the past and Gideon's ancestor who has a mysterious connection to the overall plot.
Grace Shepherd
Played by Katharina Thalbach
Gwendolyn's mother who knows about the time travel gene but has kept secrets to protect her daughter.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Gwen is an ordinary London teenager attending school, unaware of her family's time-traveling legacy, believing her cousin Charlotte is the destined gene carrier.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Gwen unexpectedly travels back in time for the first time during school, revealing she—not Charlotte—carries the time-travel gene. Her ordinary life is shattered.. 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 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Gwen makes her first deliberate time-travel journey with Gideon to collect her blood for the chronograph, actively choosing to step into her role as the Ruby despite her fears., moving from reaction to action.
At 61 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Gwen discovers evidence of betrayal within the Circle—the conspiracy involving Count Saint-Germain is real. She realizes the danger is greater than she thought and she cannot fully trust those around her., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 92 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Gwen is betrayed by Gideon and captured by the conspirators. She feels utterly alone, her trust shattered, facing the death of her hope that she could navigate this world safely or that Gideon truly cared., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 98 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Gwen realizes Gideon's betrayal was feigned to infiltrate the conspiracy. She understands she must trust her own instincts and power, synthesizing her newfound abilities with her inner strength to fight back., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Ruby Red'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 Ruby Red against these established plot points, we can identify how Felix Fuchssteiner utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Ruby Red within the fantasy genre.
Felix Fuchssteiner's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Felix Fuchssteiner films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Ruby Red takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Felix Fuchssteiner filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional fantasy films include Thinner, Ella Enchanted and Conan the Barbarian. For more Felix Fuchssteiner analyses, see Sapphire Blue.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Gwen is an ordinary London teenager attending school, unaware of her family's time-traveling legacy, believing her cousin Charlotte is the destined gene carrier.
Theme
Gwen's mother cryptically mentions that "sometimes destiny chooses you, not the other way around," hinting at the theme of accepting one's true nature and predetermined path.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Gwen's family, the legacy of the twelve time travelers, the Circle of Blood, and the preparation of Charlotte as the presumed Ruby. Establishes the secret society and temporal mechanics.
Disruption
Gwen unexpectedly travels back in time for the first time during school, revealing she—not Charlotte—carries the time-travel gene. Her ordinary life is shattered.
Resistance
Gwen is brought to the Temple, meets Falk de Villiers and the Count, learns about the chronograph, her role as the Ruby, and begins training. She resists her destiny while trying to understand the rules.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Gwen makes her first deliberate time-travel journey with Gideon to collect her blood for the chronograph, actively choosing to step into her role as the Ruby despite her fears.
Mirror World
Gwen and Gideon share a meaningful moment in the past. Their relationship begins to evolve beyond duty—he represents the possibility of trust and connection in this new world.
Premise
The "fun and games" of time travel: Gwen experiences various historical periods, learns to navigate temporal rules, dances at a ball, investigates the secret conspiracy, and develops her abilities and relationship with Gideon.
Midpoint
Gwen discovers evidence of betrayal within the Circle—the conspiracy involving Count Saint-Germain is real. She realizes the danger is greater than she thought and she cannot fully trust those around her.
Opposition
The conspiracy tightens around Gwen. She faces increasing danger in the past, Gideon's loyalty becomes questionable, her family is threatened, and the true stakes of the prophecy become clear. Trust erodes.
Collapse
Gwen is betrayed by Gideon and captured by the conspirators. She feels utterly alone, her trust shattered, facing the death of her hope that she could navigate this world safely or that Gideon truly cared.
Crisis
Gwen is imprisoned and confronts her darkest moment—questioning everything she believed about her destiny, her allies, and her own judgment. She must find strength within herself.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Gwen realizes Gideon's betrayal was feigned to infiltrate the conspiracy. She understands she must trust her own instincts and power, synthesizing her newfound abilities with her inner strength to fight back.
Synthesis
Gwen and Gideon work together to escape, confront the Count, expose the conspiracy, and complete the chronograph. She fully embraces her role as the Ruby and defeats the immediate threat.
Transformation
Gwen, now confident in her identity as a time traveler, shares a kiss with Gideon. She has transformed from an uncertain girl into someone who accepts her destiny and her power.