The Little Mermaid
A young mermaid makes a deal with a sea witch to trade her beautiful voice for human legs so she can discover the world above water and impress a prince.
Working with a major studio investment of $297.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $569.6M in global revenue (+92% profit margin).
3 wins & 31 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 Little Mermaid (2023) reveals strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Rob Marshall's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 15 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ariel explores a sunken ship, collecting human artifacts with wonder and joy. She is fascinated by the human world above, showing her restless spirit and desire for something beyond her underwater kingdom.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Ariel surfaces during a storm and witnesses Prince Eric on his ship. She is immediately captivated by him and his world. When the ship crashes and Eric nearly drowns, Ariel saves his life, singing to him on the beach.. 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 33 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Ariel makes a deal with Ursula: she will become human for three days, but must get Eric to kiss her or belong to Ursula forever. She trades her voice for human legs, making an irreversible choice to leave her world., moving from reaction to action.
At 67 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Ariel and Eric nearly kiss during a romantic boat ride with the lagoon scene ("Kiss the Girl"). This false victory moment shows them on the brink of success, but Ursula's eels overturn the boat, preventing the kiss. Stakes are raised., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 100 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The sun sets on the third day before Eric can kiss Ariel. She transforms back into a mermaid and belongs to Ursula now. Ursula drags Ariel into the ocean, claiming her as part of the deal. Ariel has lost everything - her voice, her legs, her freedom, and Eric., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 107 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Eric, now free from Ursula's spell and understanding the truth, chooses to fight for Ariel. Ariel finds her agency and fights back against Ursula. They synthesize their strengths - Ariel's courage and Eric's determination - to face Ursula together., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Little Mermaid's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Little Mermaid against these established plot points, we can identify how Rob Marshall utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Little Mermaid within the adventure genre.
Rob Marshall's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Rob Marshall films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Little Mermaid represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Rob Marshall filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more Rob Marshall analyses, see Chicago, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Memoirs of a Geisha.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ariel explores a sunken ship, collecting human artifacts with wonder and joy. She is fascinated by the human world above, showing her restless spirit and desire for something beyond her underwater kingdom.
Theme
King Triton warns Ariel: "If you go up there, you will be a fish out of water." This statement encapsulates the central theme about identity, belonging, and the cost of choosing between two worlds.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Ariel's underwater world, her fascination with human objects, her relationship with Flounder and Sebastian, her strained relationship with her overprotective father Triton, and the upcoming concert where she's expected to perform.
Disruption
Ariel surfaces during a storm and witnesses Prince Eric on his ship. She is immediately captivated by him and his world. When the ship crashes and Eric nearly drowns, Ariel saves his life, singing to him on the beach.
Resistance
Ariel becomes obsessed with Eric and the human world. Triton discovers her grotto of human artifacts and destroys it in rage. Heartbroken and defiant, Ariel is vulnerable when Ursula's eels appear, offering a solution to her pain.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ariel makes a deal with Ursula: she will become human for three days, but must get Eric to kiss her or belong to Ursula forever. She trades her voice for human legs, making an irreversible choice to leave her world.
Mirror World
Eric discovers Ariel on the beach and brings her to the palace. He is drawn to her but doesn't recognize her as his rescuer because she cannot speak. Their relationship begins, representing the thematic exploration of communication and true connection.
Premise
Ariel experiences the human world she's always dreamed of. She and Eric bond through activities and adventures in the kingdom, developing genuine feelings despite her inability to speak. The "promise of the premise" - a mermaid exploring the human world.
Midpoint
Ariel and Eric nearly kiss during a romantic boat ride with the lagoon scene ("Kiss the Girl"). This false victory moment shows them on the brink of success, but Ursula's eels overturn the boat, preventing the kiss. Stakes are raised.
Opposition
Ursula transforms herself into Vanessa, using Ariel's voice to hypnotize Eric. Eric becomes engaged to Vanessa, forgetting Ariel. Time runs out as Ariel watches helplessly, unable to speak or break the spell. Everything falls apart.
Collapse
The sun sets on the third day before Eric can kiss Ariel. She transforms back into a mermaid and belongs to Ursula now. Ursula drags Ariel into the ocean, claiming her as part of the deal. Ariel has lost everything - her voice, her legs, her freedom, and Eric.
Crisis
Triton arrives and offers himself in exchange for Ariel's freedom. Ursula accepts, transforming Triton into a polyp and claiming his crown and trident. Ariel witnesses her father's sacrifice, the ultimate consequence of her choices. Dark night of the soul.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Eric, now free from Ursula's spell and understanding the truth, chooses to fight for Ariel. Ariel finds her agency and fights back against Ursula. They synthesize their strengths - Ariel's courage and Eric's determination - to face Ursula together.
Synthesis
Epic battle with giant Ursula. Eric harpoons Ursula with a ship's bow, defeating her. Ursula's death releases all her captives, including Triton. Seeing Ariel's love for Eric and Eric's love for Ariel, Triton grants Ariel her wish to become human permanently.
Transformation
Ariel, now permanently human, marries Eric on a ship with both worlds - sea and land - united in celebration. Mirror to the opening: she is no longer restlessly seeking, but has found her place, bridging both worlds through love and acceptance.