The BFG
Ten-year-old Sophie is in for the adventure of a lifetime when she meets the Big Friendly Giant. Naturally scared at first, the young girl soon realizes that the twenty-four-foot behemoth is actually quite gentle and charming. As their friendship grows, Sophie's presence attracts the unwanted attention of Bloodbottler, Fleshlumpeater, and other giants. After travelling to London, Sophie and the BFG must convince Queen Elizabeth to help them get rid of all of the bad giants once and for all.
Working with a significant budget of $140.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $195.2M in global revenue (+39% profit margin).
Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award4 wins & 26 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%)
The BFG (2016) demonstrates deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Steven Spielberg's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 57 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.3, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Sophie lies awake at 3am in her orphanage bed, alone and restless in the witching hour. She is isolated, sleepless, living in a regimented world where she doesn't belong.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when The BFG's enormous hand reaches through Sophie's window and snatches her from her bed. She is pulled from her ordinary world into the terrifying unknown, kidnapped by a giant.. At 10% 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 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 45% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The evil giants led by Fleshlumpeater invade the BFG's cave, discovering Sophie's presence and threatening both of them. The stakes raise dramatically - the fun is over, and real danger enters their world. False defeat., 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 (66% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The BFG reveals his deepest pain and isolation - he has been alone and mocked his entire life, unable to stop the giants or be accepted anywhere. His hope dies; he believes nothing can change., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 71% of the runtime. The finale: giving the Queen the nightmare-dream, the royal breakfast, convincing the military, capturing the giants, and the BFG finding acceptance and a home. Sophie and BFG execute their plan and triumph together., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The BFG'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 The BFG against these established plot points, we can identify how Steven Spielberg utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The BFG within the adventure genre.
Steven Spielberg's Structural Approach
Among the 33 Steven Spielberg films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 5.8, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. The BFG represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Steven Spielberg filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more Steven Spielberg analyses, see E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, 1941 and West Side Story.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Sophie lies awake at 3am in her orphanage bed, alone and restless in the witching hour. She is isolated, sleepless, living in a regimented world where she doesn't belong.
Theme
The BFG tells Sophie that "words is oh such a twitch-tickling problem to me all my life" - establishing the theme of communication, understanding across differences, and finding your voice despite feeling inadequate.
Worldbuilding
Sophie's life at Mrs. Clonkers' orphanage is established - strict rules, the witching hour, her isolation and inability to sleep. She witnesses something mysterious outside her window.
Disruption
The BFG's enormous hand reaches through Sophie's window and snatches her from her bed. She is pulled from her ordinary world into the terrifying unknown, kidnapped by a giant.
Resistance
Sophie resists and debates in Giant Country. She is terrified, wants to go home, doesn't trust the BFG. He explains he took her because she saw him. She learns about the man-eating giants and begins to understand the BFG is different.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The "fun and games" of Giant Country: Sophie and BFG adventure together catching dreams, drinking frobscottle, creating whizzpoppers, exploring Dream Country, and bonding. The promise of a magical friendship in a wondrous world.
Midpoint
The evil giants led by Fleshlumpeater invade the BFG's cave, discovering Sophie's presence and threatening both of them. The stakes raise dramatically - the fun is over, and real danger enters their world. False defeat.
Opposition
The evil giants intensify their threat and continue eating human beans. Sophie and BFG feel helpless and small against the massive bullies. The BFG's isolation and inadequacy are exposed as obstacles mount.
Collapse
The BFG reveals his deepest pain and isolation - he has been alone and mocked his entire life, unable to stop the giants or be accepted anywhere. His hope dies; he believes nothing can change.
Crisis
Sophie and the BFG sit in darkness and despair, processing their powerlessness. The emotional low point as they contemplate their inability to stop the evil giants.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale: giving the Queen the nightmare-dream, the royal breakfast, convincing the military, capturing the giants, and the BFG finding acceptance and a home. Sophie and BFG execute their plan and triumph together.