The Green Inferno
In New York, college student Justine joins a group of activists led by Alejandro and travels to Peru to protest against a timber industry that is destroying the Amazon rain forest. When the group is returning to civilization, the plane blows-up and crashes into the forest. Soon the survivors discover that they are not alone and they are abducted by a tribe of cannibals.
Despite its modest budget of $5.0M, The Green Inferno became a commercial success, earning $12.9M worldwide—a 159% return.
1 win & 6 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 Green Inferno (2013) reveals meticulously timed plot construction, characteristic of Eli Roth's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 40 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Justine, a naive college freshman in New York, attends classes and lives a sheltered, privileged life disconnected from global issues. She witnesses an activist protest but remains a passive observer.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False victory becomes false defeat: the plane engine fails catastrophically. The aircraft crashes in the remote jungle, killing several students. The survivors emerge from the wreckage only to be captured by the indigenous cannibalistic tribe they unknowingly saved. The fun and games are over., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 76 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Alejandro is killed and consumed by the tribe. Justine's romantic ideal dies with him. She realizes the full cost of their naive intervention: they saved the forest only to doom themselves. The leader's death represents the death of idealistic activism., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Justine executes her plan: she uses drug-laced food to incapacitate the tribe, then she and two others escape during the chaos. They navigate the jungle and eventually encounter loggers (the very people they protested against) who rescue them. The irony is complete., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Green Inferno'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 Green Inferno against these established plot points, we can identify how Eli Roth utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Green Inferno within the adventure genre.
Eli Roth's Structural Approach
Among the 9 Eli Roth films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Green Inferno takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Eli Roth filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more Eli Roth analyses, see Borderlands, The House with a Clock in Its Walls and Knock Knock.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Justine, a naive college freshman in New York, attends classes and lives a sheltered, privileged life disconnected from global issues. She witnesses an activist protest but remains a passive observer.
Theme
Alejandro, the activist leader, states the theme: "If you want to make a difference, you have to be willing to sacrifice everything." This foreshadows the cost of naive activism and privileged intervention.
Worldbuilding
Justine's world at college is established: her roommate Kaycee, her father who works at the UN, and her growing awareness of social activism. She becomes intrigued by Alejandro's passionate environmental group and their mission to save the Amazon rainforest from deforestation.
Resistance
Justine debates joining the dangerous mission. She researches the cause, bonds with group members including Alejandro and Jonah, and prepares for the trip. Despite warnings from her roommate and her own fears, she becomes increasingly committed to the cause.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The activists execute their protest, chaining themselves to trees and live-streaming to expose the deforestation. The mission succeeds—they stop the bulldozers and go viral. On the return flight, the group celebrates their victory, experiencing the thrill of successful activism they came for.
Midpoint
False victory becomes false defeat: the plane engine fails catastrophically. The aircraft crashes in the remote jungle, killing several students. The survivors emerge from the wreckage only to be captured by the indigenous cannibalistic tribe they unknowingly saved. The fun and games are over.
Opposition
Imprisoned in the village, the group faces escalating horror as tribe members are systematically killed and cannibalized. Justine witnesses brutal deaths including Jonah's. Alejandro is revealed to be manipulative—he used the group as pawns. Trust collapses, hope fades, and survival becomes increasingly impossible.
Collapse
Alejandro is killed and consumed by the tribe. Justine's romantic ideal dies with him. She realizes the full cost of their naive intervention: they saved the forest only to doom themselves. The leader's death represents the death of idealistic activism.
Crisis
In her darkest moment, Justine confronts the reality that they will all die here. She processes the horror, the betrayal, and her own complicity. The remaining survivors—Justine, Daniel, Amy, and Lars—face their imminent deaths with despair.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Justine executes her plan: she uses drug-laced food to incapacitate the tribe, then she and two others escape during the chaos. They navigate the jungle and eventually encounter loggers (the very people they protested against) who rescue them. The irony is complete.
Transformation
Back in New York, Justine lies to protect the tribe, claiming they were peaceful and the others died in the crash. She has transformed from naive idealist to someone who understands complexity, complicity, and moral ambiguity. She withholds the truth, neither fully condemning nor celebrating what happened.