Waves
A compromising record can change history.
Despite its limited budget of $3.5M, Waves became a box office success, earning $8.4M worldwide—a 140% 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%)
Waves (2024) showcases carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Jiří Mádl's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 11 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.7, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Tyler and his family appear successful and close-knit. Tyler excels at wrestling, has a girlfriend, and seems to have everything going for him in suburban Florida.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Tyler discovers he has a severe shoulder injury that could end his wrestling career. Despite doctor's orders to stop, he hides the injury and continues training, popping painkillers.. 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 After Alexis reveals her pregnancy and decides to keep the baby against Tyler's wishes, their relationship explodes. Tyler actively chooses to spiral deeper into drugs, anger, and reckless behavior., moving from reaction to action.
At 66 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Tyler learns Alexis may have miscarried or had an abortion. In a rage-fueled confrontation, he physically attacks her. The stakes raise catastrophically - violence replaces communication, point of no return., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 98 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Tyler is sentenced to life in prison. The family sits in court, destroyed. The death of Alexis, the death of Tyler's future, the death of the family's innocence - complete collapse., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 105 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Emily chooses to reach out to Luke, a boy interested in her. She also decides to help Luke reconcile with his dying father. She actively chooses connection and forgiveness over isolation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Waves's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Waves against these established plot points, we can identify how Jiří Mádl utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Waves within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Tyler and his family appear successful and close-knit. Tyler excels at wrestling, has a girlfriend, and seems to have everything going for him in suburban Florida.
Theme
Tyler's father Ronald pushes him relentlessly, stating "We are not afforded the luxury of being average" - establishing the theme of pressure, expectations, and the cost of pursuing perfection.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the Williams family dynamics, Tyler's wrestling career, his relationship with girlfriend Alexis, the pressure from his father, and the privileged but demanding world they inhabit.
Disruption
Tyler discovers he has a severe shoulder injury that could end his wrestling career. Despite doctor's orders to stop, he hides the injury and continues training, popping painkillers.
Resistance
Tyler struggles with his injury while maintaining appearances. He debates whether to come clean or keep pushing. Alexis becomes pregnant, adding pressure. Tyler's relationship with his father and his own identity fractures.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
After Alexis reveals her pregnancy and decides to keep the baby against Tyler's wishes, their relationship explodes. Tyler actively chooses to spiral deeper into drugs, anger, and reckless behavior.
Mirror World
Tyler confronts Alexis at a party, high and aggressive. Their toxic dynamic reveals the dark mirror of his father's pressure - Tyler becomes the oppressor, unable to handle vulnerability or loss of control.
Premise
Tyler's descent accelerates as he loses wrestling, his relationship, and his sense of self. His substance abuse worsens. The "promise" is the destruction of a golden boy under unbearable pressure.
Midpoint
Tyler learns Alexis may have miscarried or had an abortion. In a rage-fueled confrontation, he physically attacks her. The stakes raise catastrophically - violence replaces communication, point of no return.
Opposition
Tyler's final spiral: he kills Alexis in a moment of explosive violence. Arrested and imprisoned, his life and family are destroyed. The opposition is his own demons, manifested fatally.
Collapse
Tyler is sentenced to life in prison. The family sits in court, destroyed. The death of Alexis, the death of Tyler's future, the death of the family's innocence - complete collapse.
Crisis
The family processes the devastation. Emily (Tyler's sister) becomes the new protagonist. She and her parents navigate grief, guilt, and the question of whether healing is possible after such tragedy.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Emily chooses to reach out to Luke, a boy interested in her. She also decides to help Luke reconcile with his dying father. She actively chooses connection and forgiveness over isolation.
Synthesis
Emily and Luke take a road trip to find his estranged father. They facilitate reconciliation. Emily visits Tyler in prison and forgives him. The family begins to heal through grace, not achievement.
Transformation
Emily sits peacefully with her family, having learned that love means acceptance, not perfection. The final image mirrors the opening's movement and music, but with hard-won grace replacing pressure.