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) demonstrates meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Felix Fuchssteiner's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-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.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Gwen is an ordinary teenage girl living with her mother and navigating high school, unaware of her family's time-traveling legacy.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Gwen unexpectedly time travels for the first time during school, discovering she—not Charlotte—is the true gene carrier, the Ruby in the Circle of Twelve.. 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.
At 62 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Gwen discovers that the Lodge may not be trustworthy and that Count Saint-Germain has a hidden agenda involving the complete Circle of blood; the stakes escalate as she realizes she might be in danger., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 93 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Gwen learns devastating truths about her family's betrayal and Count Saint-Germain's manipulation; she feels utterly alone and betrayed, with her relationship with Gideon seemingly shattered by lies., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 99 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Gwen and Gideon work together to outsmart the Lodge and Count Saint-Germain, completing the chronograph ritual while protecting themselves; Gwen embraces her identity as both a modern girl and the Ruby., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Ruby Red's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. 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 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Conan the Barbarian and Batman Forever. For more Felix Fuchssteiner analyses, see Sapphire Blue.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Gwen is an ordinary teenage girl living with her mother and navigating high school, unaware of her family's time-traveling legacy.
Theme
Gwen's mother tells her about family destiny and trust: "You have to be prepared for what's coming," hinting at the theme of embracing one's true identity and heritage.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Gwen's world: her family history of time travelers, her cousin Charlotte being trained as the expected gene carrier, the mysterious Count Saint-Germain, and the secret Lodge of Watchmen.
Disruption
Gwen unexpectedly time travels for the first time during school, discovering she—not Charlotte—is the true gene carrier, the Ruby in the Circle of Twelve.
Resistance
Gwen is brought to the Lodge headquarters where she meets Gideon, her time-traveling partner (the Diamond), and receives initial guidance about her powers, though she resists accepting this new reality.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The "fun and games" of time travel: Gwen explores different historical periods, learns to control her powers, attends an 18th-century ball, and uncovers mysteries about the Circle of Twelve and the chronograph.
Midpoint
Gwen discovers that the Lodge may not be trustworthy and that Count Saint-Germain has a hidden agenda involving the complete Circle of blood; the stakes escalate as she realizes she might be in danger.
Opposition
The Lodge's pressure intensifies; Gwen and Gideon face increasing danger from historical threats and Lodge manipulation; secrets about her grandfather's past emerge; trust between characters fractures.
Collapse
Gwen learns devastating truths about her family's betrayal and Count Saint-Germain's manipulation; she feels utterly alone and betrayed, with her relationship with Gideon seemingly shattered by lies.
Crisis
Gwen processes the betrayal and loss, questioning everything she's been told and whether she can trust anyone, including Gideon, while facing her darkest emotional moment.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Gwen and Gideon work together to outsmart the Lodge and Count Saint-Germain, completing the chronograph ritual while protecting themselves; Gwen embraces her identity as both a modern girl and the Ruby.