Wonder Woman
Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when a pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers and her true destiny.
Despite a significant budget of $149.0M, Wonder Woman became a commercial success, earning $824.0M worldwide—a 453% return.
38 wins & 76 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 (2017) demonstrates strategically placed dramatic framework, 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 21 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Diana receives the photograph from Bruce Wayne at the Louvre, triggering memories. Young Diana trains on Themyscira, sheltered and eager to become a warrior despite her mother's protection.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 17 minutes when Steve Trevor crashes through the barrier into Themyscira, bringing World War I to the Amazons' doorstep. German soldiers follow, and Antiope is killed in the beach battle. The outside world violently intrudes.. 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 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Diana actively chooses to leave Themyscira with Steve, stealing the God Killer sword and crossing into the world of men. She believes she must stop Ares and end the war. An irreversible choice to leave paradise., moving from reaction to action.
At 71 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Diana crosses No Man's Land and liberates Veld village. A false victory—she believes she's succeeding in her mission, the team celebrates, and she dances with Steve. But Ludendorff and Dr. Poison are still active. Stakes secretly rise., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 105 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Diana realizes Ludendorff wasn't Ares and the war continues despite his death. Her faith in humanity collapses. She believes humans don't deserve her help. Sir Patrick reveals himself as Ares, confirming mankind's inherent corruption. Diana faces existential despair., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 116 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 82% of the runtime. Steve sacrifices himself to destroy the poison gas, telling Diana "I love you." His act of selfless love proves humanity is worth saving. Diana synthesizes her Amazon training with her newfound understanding: it's not about deserving, it's about love., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Wonder Woman'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 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 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 takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. 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 1984.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Diana receives the photograph from Bruce Wayne at the Louvre, triggering memories. Young Diana trains on Themyscira, sheltered and eager to become a warrior despite her mother's protection.
Theme
Antiope tells Diana: "You are stronger than you believe. You have greater powers than you know." The theme of discovering one's true power and purpose through love and sacrifice is introduced.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Themyscira, the Amazons' hidden paradise. Diana's sheltered upbringing, her training with Antiope, and the mythology of Ares and mankind's corruption. Diana is isolated from the world but yearns to fulfill her destiny.
Disruption
Steve Trevor crashes through the barrier into Themyscira, bringing World War I to the Amazons' doorstep. German soldiers follow, and Antiope is killed in the beach battle. The outside world violently intrudes.
Resistance
Steve reveals the Great War. Diana believes Ares is behind it and that killing him will restore peace. Hippolyta forbids Diana from leaving, but gives her the God Killer sword and armor. Diana debates her duty versus her mother's wishes.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Diana actively chooses to leave Themyscira with Steve, stealing the God Killer sword and crossing into the world of men. She believes she must stop Ares and end the war. An irreversible choice to leave paradise.
Mirror World
Diana and Steve's relationship deepens in London. Steve represents humanity's complexity—flawed but noble. Their partnership and growing attraction will teach Diana about human nature, love, and the gray areas between good and evil.
Premise
Diana experiences the world of men—London, the trenches, assembling the team. The "fish out of water" fun as Diana navigates 1910s society. She demonstrates her powers, fights German forces, and liberates Veld village, believing she's close to finding Ares.
Midpoint
Diana crosses No Man's Land and liberates Veld village. A false victory—she believes she's succeeding in her mission, the team celebrates, and she dances with Steve. But Ludendorff and Dr. Poison are still active. Stakes secretly rise.
Opposition
The German high command moves forward with Dr. Poison's weapon. Diana confronts and kills Ludendorff, believing he is Ares. When the war doesn't stop, her worldview shatters. Steve tries to explain human nature's capacity for evil without divine influence.
Collapse
Diana realizes Ludendorff wasn't Ares and the war continues despite his death. Her faith in humanity collapses. She believes humans don't deserve her help. Sir Patrick reveals himself as Ares, confirming mankind's inherent corruption. Diana faces existential despair.
Crisis
Diana battles Ares but is conflicted. Steve pleads with her to see the good in humanity. Ares offers Diana a partnership to destroy mankind. Diana wavers between vengeance and hope, processing her shattered worldview and Steve's sacrifice.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Steve sacrifices himself to destroy the poison gas, telling Diana "I love you." His act of selfless love proves humanity is worth saving. Diana synthesizes her Amazon training with her newfound understanding: it's not about deserving, it's about love.
Synthesis
Diana unleashes her full power as the God Killer (herself, daughter of Zeus). She defeats Ares using love rather than hate, rejecting his vision. The armistice is signed. Diana chooses to remain in the world of men as its protector, embracing both strength and compassion.
Transformation
Present day Diana at the Louvre, looking at the photograph of her team. She is no longer the naive warrior seeking simple answers, but a guardian who understands humanity's complexity and chooses to protect it through love. She emails Bruce: "I will fight."