The Ash Lad: In the Hall of the Mountain King
Espen “Ash Lad”, a poor farmer’s son, embarks on a dangerous quest with his brothers to save the princess from a vile troll known as the Mountain King – in order to collect a reward and save his family’s farm from ruin.
The film earned $4.5M 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%)
The Ash Lad: In the Hall of the Mountain King (2017) reveals deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Mikkel Brænne Sandemose's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 40 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Espen (the Ash Lad) lives as the scorned youngest brother on a struggling farm, dreaming of adventure but stuck doing menial tasks by the hearth while his older brothers mock him.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when The King announces that Princess Kristin has been kidnapped by the troll Mountain King and offers her hand in marriage to whoever can rescue her—a challenge that seems impossible and has already claimed many lives.. 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 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Espen makes the active choice to leave home and journey to the Mountain King's hall to rescue the princess, defying his brothers' mockery and setting off on his quest into the magical world., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Espen reaches the Mountain King's hall and either confronts the Mountain King directly for the first time or achieves a false victory (perhaps winning a challenge or getting close to Kristin), but the stakes are raised when the Mountain King reveals greater power or a deeper trap., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 75 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Espen is captured or defeated by the Mountain King, the princess appears lost forever, and/or a companion sacrifices themselves. Espen faces the "death" of his quest and his belief in himself—the whiff of death moment., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 80 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Espen synthesizes the lessons learned (cleverness plus self-belief) and discovers the key to defeating the Mountain King—often through a final riddle, recognizing the troll's weakness, or using a magical item in an unexpected way., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Ash Lad: In the Hall of the Mountain King'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 The Ash Lad: In the Hall of the Mountain King against these established plot points, we can identify how Mikkel Brænne Sandemose utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Ash Lad: In the Hall of the Mountain King within the adventure genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Espen (the Ash Lad) lives as the scorned youngest brother on a struggling farm, dreaming of adventure but stuck doing menial tasks by the hearth while his older brothers mock him.
Theme
A village elder or character tells Espen that true worth isn't determined by birth order or others' opinions, but by courage and cleverness—planting the theme of self-worth and proving oneself.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the Norwegian kingdom, the struggling farm family, Espen's low status among his brothers, the kingdom's prosperity, and introduction of Princess Kristin who has been cursed and taken by the Mountain King (Dovregubben).
Disruption
The King announces that Princess Kristin has been kidnapped by the troll Mountain King and offers her hand in marriage to whoever can rescue her—a challenge that seems impossible and has already claimed many lives.
Resistance
Espen's brothers plan to attempt the rescue for glory and gold. Espen debates whether he should try, facing ridicule from his family. He receives guidance (possibly from a helper figure) about the dangers ahead and what it truly means to be a hero.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Espen makes the active choice to leave home and journey to the Mountain King's hall to rescue the princess, defying his brothers' mockery and setting off on his quest into the magical world.
Mirror World
Espen encounters Princess Kristin (either in person or learns about her true nature) and/or meets magical helper companions who represent the theme—those who see worth in cleverness and heart rather than status.
Premise
The "fun and games" of the fairy tale quest: Espen navigates the magical realm, outsmarts various troll creatures and obstacles using wit rather than strength, collects magical items, and proves his cleverness repeatedly while getting closer to the Mountain King's hall.
Midpoint
Espen reaches the Mountain King's hall and either confronts the Mountain King directly for the first time or achieves a false victory (perhaps winning a challenge or getting close to Kristin), but the stakes are raised when the Mountain King reveals greater power or a deeper trap.
Opposition
The Mountain King and his troll forces intensify their efforts to stop Espen. Espen's cleverness is tested to its limits, his companions may be captured or endangered, and the challenges become life-threatening as the antagonist closes in.
Collapse
Espen is captured or defeated by the Mountain King, the princess appears lost forever, and/or a companion sacrifices themselves. Espen faces the "death" of his quest and his belief in himself—the whiff of death moment.
Crisis
Espen's dark night of the soul where he processes his failure, doubts his worth, and must dig deep to find the internal truth he's learned—that his value comes from within, not from others' validation.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Espen synthesizes the lessons learned (cleverness plus self-belief) and discovers the key to defeating the Mountain King—often through a final riddle, recognizing the troll's weakness, or using a magical item in an unexpected way.
Synthesis
The finale: Espen executes his plan, outsmarts the Mountain King in a climactic confrontation using wit over strength, frees Princess Kristin from the curse/captivity, and the troll hall collapses or the Mountain King is defeated.
Transformation
Espen returns home transformed—no longer the scorned Ash Lad but a proven hero. He has won the princess and the kingdom's respect, but more importantly, he has proven his worth to himself, mirroring the opening but showing complete transformation.