The Wave
Based on the fact that mountain pass Åkneset, located in the Geiranger fjord in Norway, will one day collapse and create a violent tsunami of over 80 meters that will crush everything in its path before it hits land in Greenland. A geologist gets caught in the middle of it and a race against time begins.
Despite its limited budget of $5.9M, The Wave became a box office success, earning $13.0M worldwide—a 120% return.
7 wins & 9 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 Wave (2015) demonstrates carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Roar Uthaug's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 45 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.7, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Kristian works as a geologist monitoring the unstable Åkerneset mountain above Geiranger fjord. His family is preparing to move away for a new job in the city.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when On his last day of work, Kristian notices anomalous sensor readings from the mountain - water disappearing from crevices. His instincts tell him something is wrong.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Kristian chooses to stay and investigate rather than join his family, insisting the sensors are showing pre-collapse patterns. He commits to proving the mountain will collapse., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False defeat: The mountain collapses. Massive rockslide crashes into Geiranger fjord. The alarm sounds - only 10 minutes until the tsunami hits. Kristian was right, but now disaster is inevitable., 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 (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The hotel is engulfed by the wave. Kristian is swept away and nearly drowns. Idun and Julia are trapped in a flooded basement shelter. Literal death surrounds them - people are dying, the family is separated and drowning., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Kristian hears Julia's voice through a ventilation pipe. New information: they're alive but trapped. He knows the building's structure. Synthesis of his geological knowledge and father's determination - he can save them., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Wave'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 Wave against these established plot points, we can identify how Roar Uthaug utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Wave within the action genre.
Roar Uthaug's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Roar Uthaug films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.5, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Wave represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Roar Uthaug filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Roar Uthaug analyses, see Magic Silver.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kristian works as a geologist monitoring the unstable Åkerneset mountain above Geiranger fjord. His family is preparing to move away for a new job in the city.
Theme
Colleague Jacob mentions the 1905 rockslide disaster: "We can't prevent it, only warn people." Theme of responsibility versus helplessness against nature.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Geiranger as tourist paradise, Kristian's monitoring station work, family dynamics with wife Idun (hotel worker) and children Sondre and Julia. His dedication to the mountain sensors.
Disruption
On his last day of work, Kristian notices anomalous sensor readings from the mountain - water disappearing from crevices. His instincts tell him something is wrong.
Resistance
Kristian debates whether to trust his gut or leave as planned. Returns to the monitoring station despite family obligations. Colleagues dismiss his concerns. He researches historical data and becomes increasingly convinced.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Kristian chooses to stay and investigate rather than join his family, insisting the sensors are showing pre-collapse patterns. He commits to proving the mountain will collapse.
Mirror World
Interaction with Idun at the hotel. She represents normal life, family stability, and the choice to walk away. Their tension embodies the theme: duty to strangers versus duty to family.
Premise
The promise of the disaster thriller: monitoring equipment, rising tension, reading geological signs, debate with colleagues, attempts to convince authorities. Racing against time as evidence mounts.
Midpoint
False defeat: The mountain collapses. Massive rockslide crashes into Geiranger fjord. The alarm sounds - only 10 minutes until the tsunami hits. Kristian was right, but now disaster is inevitable.
Opposition
The wave is coming. Chaos in evacuation. Kristian races to reach his family at the hotel. Idun and Julia try to evacuate guests. Sondre is in the bomb shelter. Separation. The tsunami hits with devastating force.
Collapse
The hotel is engulfed by the wave. Kristian is swept away and nearly drowns. Idun and Julia are trapped in a flooded basement shelter. Literal death surrounds them - people are dying, the family is separated and drowning.
Crisis
Kristian struggles to surface and survive. Idun and Julia are trapped underwater in darkness. Sondre is alone and terrified. Each faces death separately, processing fear and despair.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Kristian hears Julia's voice through a ventilation pipe. New information: they're alive but trapped. He knows the building's structure. Synthesis of his geological knowledge and father's determination - he can save them.
Synthesis
Kristian dives repeatedly into the flooded hotel, using his knowledge of structural stability and water pressure. Rescues Julia. Returns for Idun. Reunites with Sondre. The family escapes the ruins together.
Transformation
The family stands together amid the devastation of Geiranger. Kristian, who began as a man leaving his post, has become the man who warned everyone and saved his family. The cost of being right, the weight of survival.