The Pyramid
An archaeological team attempt to unlock the secrets of a lost pyramid only to find themselves hunted by an insidious creature.
Despite its modest budget of $6.5M, The Pyramid became a box office success, earning $16.9M worldwide—a 159% return.
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 Pyramid (2014) demonstrates precise story structure, characteristic of Grégory Levasseur's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 29 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 Documentary crew filming archaeologists Miles and Nora Holden at the dig site in Egypt. They're excited about discovering a unique three-sided pyramid buried in the desert, establishing their professional confidence and ambition.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 9 minutes when The team detects air flow and unexplained readings from inside the sealed pyramid. Their robot probe (Shorty) discovers a passage inside but then stops transmitting. They must decide whether to enter despite orders to evacuate due to civil unrest.. At 11% 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 21 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to The team makes the active choice to enter the pyramid despite warnings and evacuation orders. They descend into the structure, crossing from the safe ordinary world into the dangerous unknown of the ancient tomb., moving from reaction to action.
At 42 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 47% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The entrance they used collapses, trapping them inside the pyramid with no way out. The stakes raise dramatically - this is no longer an expedition but a survival situation. They realize they're not just exploring, they're prey., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 63 minutes (71% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Miles is killed by the creature, representing the death of experience and authority. Nora witnesses her father's death, losing both her mentor and parent. This is the ultimate whiff of death - the person who should have kept her safe is gone., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 67 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 75% of the runtime. Nora realizes the pyramid is actually a prison for the creature (possibly the Egyptian god Anubis or a demon). She understands the hieroglyphs were warnings, not decorations. She must use this knowledge to survive rather than continuing to try escaping the same way., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Pyramid's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Pyramid against these established plot points, we can identify how Grégory Levasseur utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Pyramid within the horror genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Documentary crew filming archaeologists Miles and Nora Holden at the dig site in Egypt. They're excited about discovering a unique three-sided pyramid buried in the desert, establishing their professional confidence and ambition.
Theme
Discussion about disturbing ancient tombs and whether some things should remain buried. A character warns that "some doors are meant to stay closed," stating the film's theme about the consequences of human hubris and disturbing the past.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the archaeological team, the documentary crew, and the unique pyramid discovery. Political unrest forces them to wrap up quickly. Setup of father-daughter relationship between Miles and Nora, their differing approaches to archaeology, and the mysterious nature of the three-sided pyramid.
Disruption
The team detects air flow and unexplained readings from inside the sealed pyramid. Their robot probe (Shorty) discovers a passage inside but then stops transmitting. They must decide whether to enter despite orders to evacuate due to civil unrest.
Resistance
Debate about entering the pyramid versus evacuating. Miles insists on retrieving the expensive robot and exploring the find. Nora is more cautious. The documentary crew wants footage. They prepare equipment and discuss the risks while tension builds around the decision.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The team makes the active choice to enter the pyramid despite warnings and evacuation orders. They descend into the structure, crossing from the safe ordinary world into the dangerous unknown of the ancient tomb.
Mirror World
The team encounters ancient Egyptian death traps and hieroglyphs warning of Anubis and judgment. This introduces the thematic counterpoint - the ancient world's belief system and consequences for those who disturb the dead, mirroring their modern skepticism.
Premise
The team explores the pyramid's passages, discovering chambers, artifacts, and increasingly disturbing evidence. They find strange symbols, realize they're in a structure designed to trap, and encounter deadly traps. Tensions rise as they attempt to retrieve the robot and explore deeper.
Midpoint
The entrance they used collapses, trapping them inside the pyramid with no way out. The stakes raise dramatically - this is no longer an expedition but a survival situation. They realize they're not just exploring, they're prey.
Opposition
The team attempts to find another exit while being hunted by an unknown creature. They encounter more traps, become separated, and members are injured or killed. They discover evidence of a cult that worshipped something imprisoned in the pyramid. The creature picks them off one by one.
Collapse
Miles is killed by the creature, representing the death of experience and authority. Nora witnesses her father's death, losing both her mentor and parent. This is the ultimate whiff of death - the person who should have kept her safe is gone.
Crisis
Nora processes the loss of her father while trapped deeper in the pyramid. She grapples with terror and despair, facing her darkest moment alone with the creature still hunting. The documentary crew is dead or dying around her.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Nora realizes the pyramid is actually a prison for the creature (possibly the Egyptian god Anubis or a demon). She understands the hieroglyphs were warnings, not decorations. She must use this knowledge to survive rather than continuing to try escaping the same way.
Synthesis
Nora attempts to navigate the final chambers using her archaeological knowledge combined with desperate survival instinct. She faces the creature directly, confronting the consequences of disturbing the tomb. The finale reveals the true nature of the pyramid as she fights to escape.
Transformation
Nora either dies in the pyramid or is dragged back by the creature, transformed from confident archaeologist to victim of the very ancient forces she sought to study. The closing image shows the pyramid remaining sealed with its dark secret, suggesting the warnings were right - some doors should stay closed.