Wonder Woman 1984
In 1984, after saving the world in Wonder Woman (2017), the immortal Amazon warrior, Princess Diana of Themyscira, finds herself trying to stay under the radar, working as an archaeologist at the Smithsonian Museum. With the memory of the brave U.S. pilot, Captain Steve Trevor, etched on her mind, Diana Prince becomes embroiled in a sinister conspiracy of global proportions when a transparent, golden-yellow citrine gemstone catches the eye of the power-hungry entrepreneur, Maxwell Lord. Now, as a dear old friend from the past miraculously enters the picture, and Barbara Minerva, Diana's insecure gemologist colleague gives in to desire, suddenly, deceit, greed, and false promises catapult Maxwell into the limelight. More and more, cataclysmic events push the world to the brink, and emotionally vulnerable Diana must address a cruel dilemma. Can mighty Wonder Woman save humankind once again?
The film underperformed commercially against its major studio investment of $200.0M, earning $169.6M globally (-15% loss).
27 wins & 48 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%)
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) exhibits precise plot construction, characteristic of Patty Jenkins's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 31 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Young Diana competes in the Themyscira games, showing her as eager but prone to taking shortcuts. Establishes her need to learn that truth and integrity matter more than winning.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 18 minutes when Diana discovers the Dreamstone - an ancient artifact that grants wishes. Though she doesn't yet know its power, this mystical object will disrupt her carefully maintained life and force her to confront her deepest desire.. 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 36 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Steve Trevor appears alive in another man's body. Diana chooses to accept this miracle without questioning it, crossing into a world where wishes can come true. She actively embraces the lie rather than seeking truth., moving from reaction to action.
At 77 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Diana realizes her powers are fading - the price of her wish. Max Lord's wish-granting creates global chaos. What seemed like a miracle (false victory) is revealed as a devil's bargain. The stakes raise dramatically as Diana must choose between love and duty., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 113 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Steve tells Diana she must renounce her wish - let him go - to save the world. Diana faces losing Steve again, the "death" of her deepest wish and happiness. This is her darkest moment: choosing between selfish desire and heroic sacrifice., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 122 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Diana renounces her wish, letting Steve go. She regains her full powers and clarity of purpose. Armed with the truth Steve helped her accept, she's ready for the final confrontation - combining her warrior strength with her learned wisdom about truth., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Wonder Woman 1984'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 Wonder Woman 1984 against these established plot points, we can identify how Patty Jenkins utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Wonder Woman 1984 within the action genre.
Patty Jenkins's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Patty Jenkins films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Wonder Woman 1984 represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Patty Jenkins filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Patty Jenkins analyses, see Monster, Wonder Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young Diana competes in the Themyscira games, showing her as eager but prone to taking shortcuts. Establishes her need to learn that truth and integrity matter more than winning.
Theme
Antiope tells young Diana: "No true hero is born from lies." This directly states the film's central theme about truth versus wish fulfillment and the cost of deception.
Worldbuilding
Diana's 1984 life is introduced: working at the Smithsonian, lonely despite her heroism, still mourning Steve Trevor. Barbara Minerva arrives as new colleague. The Dreamstone artifact is delivered to the museum for authentication.
Disruption
Diana discovers the Dreamstone - an ancient artifact that grants wishes. Though she doesn't yet know its power, this mystical object will disrupt her carefully maintained life and force her to confront her deepest desire.
Resistance
Diana and Barbara study the Dreamstone. Diana unknowingly wishes for Steve back. Barbara wishes to be like Diana. Max Lord pursues the stone for power. Diana wrestles with strange feelings and hope that something impossible might happen.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Steve Trevor appears alive in another man's body. Diana chooses to accept this miracle without questioning it, crossing into a world where wishes can come true. She actively embraces the lie rather than seeking truth.
Mirror World
Diana and Steve's rekindled romance deepens. Their relationship serves as the thematic mirror - it represents everything Diana wants but is built on a lie. Steve will ultimately teach her the lesson about truth and sacrifice.
Premise
Diana and Steve adventure together in the 1980s - the "fun and games" of having him back. Meanwhile, Max Lord becomes the Dreamstone itself, granting wishes to gain power. Barbara grows more confident and powerful. Diana loses her powers gradually but doesn't notice.
Midpoint
Diana realizes her powers are fading - the price of her wish. Max Lord's wish-granting creates global chaos. What seemed like a miracle (false victory) is revealed as a devil's bargain. The stakes raise dramatically as Diana must choose between love and duty.
Opposition
Diana weakens as she clings to Steve. Max Lord gains godlike power, creating global chaos. Barbara fully transforms into Cheetah, rejecting her friendship with Diana. The world spirals toward destruction while Diana refuses to renounce her wish.
Collapse
Steve tells Diana she must renounce her wish - let him go - to save the world. Diana faces losing Steve again, the "death" of her deepest wish and happiness. This is her darkest moment: choosing between selfish desire and heroic sacrifice.
Crisis
Diana grieves the impossible choice. Steve helps her see that holding onto the lie makes her less than she is. In their final goodbye, Diana processes that truth requires sacrifice, and real love means letting go.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Diana renounces her wish, letting Steve go. She regains her full powers and clarity of purpose. Armed with the truth Steve helped her accept, she's ready for the final confrontation - combining her warrior strength with her learned wisdom about truth.
Synthesis
Diana battles Cheetah and confronts Max Lord. Rather than defeating him with force, she appeals to truth and humanity through the Lasso, convincing the world to renounce their wishes. Max chooses his son over power. Global catastrophe is averted through truth, not violence.
Transformation
Diana stands in the city at Christmas, no longer isolated. She smiles at a young girl and reconnects with humanity. She's learned to live in truth, accept loss, and find hope without shortcuts - transformed from the girl who cheated in the Themyscira games.