The Book of Eli
In a violent post-apocalyptic society, a drifter, Eli (Denzel Washington), has been wandering westward across North America for the last thirty years. He finds solace in a unique book which he carries on his person and guards closely, while surviving by hunting small animals and seeking goods in destroyed houses and vehicles to trade in villages for water and supplies. When he reaches a village ruled by the powerful mobster, Carnegie (Gary Oldman), the man views Eli's impressive fighting skills and offers Eli a place within his gang. Carnegie presses his blind lover Claudia (Jennifer Beals) to send her daughter, Solara (Mila Kunis), to at least convince Eli to spend the night by sleeping with him. However, Eli proves to be the better man when he gently declines her advances. The girl sees Eli's book, and when Carnegie finds out he beats her mother until she reveals what she saw. Carnegie sends his gang into the wasteland to take the book from Eli, but the man proves to be a formidable foe as he makes it more than clear that if they want the book, they must first take his life.
Working with a substantial budget of $80.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $157.1M in global revenue (+96% profit margin).
3 wins & 16 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 Book of Eli (2010) exhibits strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of Allen Hughes's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 58 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Eli walks alone through a desolate post-apocalyptic wasteland, hunting and surviving in solitude. He's a skilled warrior-survivor protecting a mysterious book, living a disciplined life of prayer and purpose in the ruins of civilization.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Carnegie's gang attacks Eli on the road, trying to steal his possessions. Though Eli defeats them easily, the encounter forces him into Carnegie's town, disrupting his westward journey and bringing him into conflict with the man who wants what Eli carries.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Carnegie's gang catches up to Eli at George and Martha's house. In the ensuing firefight, George and Martha are killed, and Carnegie shoots Eli, seemingly mortally wounding him. Carnegie takes the book. This false defeat raises the stakes: Eli appears to have failed his mission., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 89 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Eli collapses on the beach, his gunshot wound finally overwhelming him. He appears to be dying, his mission seemingly incomplete. This is the "whiff of death" - the moment where it seems Eli will die before delivering the book to its destination., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 95 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Eli dictates the Bible from memory while his body fails. The book is transcribed and printed. Carnegie, back in his dying town, realizes the book he stole is in Braille and useless to him. Solara arms herself with Eli's weapons and lessons, preparing to carry on his mission., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Book of Eli's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Book of Eli against these established plot points, we can identify how Allen Hughes utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Book of Eli within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Eli walks alone through a desolate post-apocalyptic wasteland, hunting and surviving in solitude. He's a skilled warrior-survivor protecting a mysterious book, living a disciplined life of prayer and purpose in the ruins of civilization.
Theme
In the bombed-out house, Eli encounters the hanging bodies and mutters his prayer about walking in the valley of the shadow of death. The visual imagery establishes the theme: faith as a weapon and shield in a world that has lost its way.
Worldbuilding
The post-apocalyptic world is established: society has collapsed after "the Flash," books were burned, cannibalism is rampant, and water is precious. Eli travels west with a sacred book, demonstrating his combat prowess, ritualistic faith, and solitary discipline.
Disruption
Carnegie's gang attacks Eli on the road, trying to steal his possessions. Though Eli defeats them easily, the encounter forces him into Carnegie's town, disrupting his westward journey and bringing him into conflict with the man who wants what Eli carries.
Resistance
Eli enters Carnegie's town seeking to recharge his music player. Carnegie discovers Eli has a book and becomes obsessed with possessing it. Solara is sent to seduce Eli, but he shares his prayer with her instead. Carnegie escalates pressure to obtain the book.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Eli and Solara journey west, pursued by Carnegie's forces. They encounter cannibals, George and Martha's trap, and various wasteland dangers. Eli demonstrates his faith-driven purpose and combat skills while Carnegie's obsession with the book intensifies. The cat-and-mouse chase delivers on the post-apocalyptic action premise.
Midpoint
Carnegie's gang catches up to Eli at George and Martha's house. In the ensuing firefight, George and Martha are killed, and Carnegie shoots Eli, seemingly mortally wounding him. Carnegie takes the book. This false defeat raises the stakes: Eli appears to have failed his mission.
Opposition
Despite his wound, Eli continues west with Solara, driven by faith. Carnegie rushes back to his town with the locked book. The opposition intensifies as Eli's physical condition deteriorates while Carnegie grows more desperate to access the book's power. Both men race toward their respective goals.
Collapse
Eli collapses on the beach, his gunshot wound finally overwhelming him. He appears to be dying, his mission seemingly incomplete. This is the "whiff of death" - the moment where it seems Eli will die before delivering the book to its destination.
Crisis
Eli is taken to Alcatraz, where the last remnants of civilization are preserving knowledge. In his final moments, Eli processes his journey and prepares for what comes next. Meanwhile, Carnegie discovers the devastating truth about the book he's pursued.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Eli dictates the Bible from memory while his body fails. The book is transcribed and printed. Carnegie, back in his dying town, realizes the book he stole is in Braille and useless to him. Solara arms herself with Eli's weapons and lessons, preparing to carry on his mission.