Your Highness
Throughout history, tales of chivalry have burnished the legends of brave, handsome knights who rescue fair damsels, slay dragons and conquer evil. But behind many a hero is a good-for-nothing younger brother trying just to stay out of the way of those dragons, evil and trouble in general. As two princes on a daring mission to save their land, they must rescue the heir apparent's fiancée before their kingdom is destroyed. Thadeous (McBride) has spent his life watching his perfect older brother Fabious (Franco) embark upon valiant journeys and win the hearts of his people. Tired of being passed over for adventure, adoration and the throne, he's settled for a life of wizard's weed, hard booze and easy maidens. But when Fabious' bride-to-be, Belladonna (Zooey Deschanel), gets kidnapped by the evil wizard Leezar (Justin Theroux), the king gives his deadbeat son an ultimatum: Man up and help rescue her or get cut off. Half-assedly embarking upon his first quest, Thadeous joins Fabious to trek across the perilous outlands and free the princess. Joined by Isabel (Natalie Portman)-an elusive warrior with a dangerous agenda of her own-the brothers must vanquish horrific creatures and traitorous knights before they can reach Belladonna. If Thadeous can find his inner hero, he can help his brother prevent the destruction of his land. Stay a slacker, and not only does he die a coward, he gets front row seats to the dawn of an all-new Dark Ages.
The film disappointed at the box office against its mid-range budget of $49.9M, earning $28.0M globally (-44% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unique voice within the action genre.
1 win & 3 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%)
Your Highness (2011) demonstrates deliberately positioned dramatic framework, characteristic of David Gordon Green's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 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 Prince Thadeous is shown as a lazy, lecherous failure living in his heroic brother Fabious's shadow, avoiding responsibility and seeking only pleasure in the kingdom of Mourne.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when The evil wizard Leezar crashes Fabious's wedding and kidnaps Belladonna, revealing he needs her for a ritual during the two moons convergence to create a dragon and conquer the world.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. 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 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Thadeous and Fabious ride out from the castle gates with their party, leaving the safety of the kingdom to embark on their quest through dangerous lands to save Belladonna., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The party successfully retrieves the Blade of Unicorn from the Minotaur's labyrinth. Thadeous proves himself in combat, and they now have the weapon capable of killing Leezar - a false victory as dangers still await., 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 (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The brothers are imprisoned and seemingly defeated. Fabious is broken by the betrayal, and Thadeous faces execution. Their quest appears to have failed completely, with Belladonna about to be violated in Leezar's ritual., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Thadeous engineers their escape from captivity. With Isabel's help from outside, they break free. Thadeous now leads the assault, combining his newfound courage with his brother's skills., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Your Highness's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Your Highness against these established plot points, we can identify how David Gordon Green utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Your Highness within the action genre.
David Gordon Green's Structural Approach
Among the 9 David Gordon Green films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Your Highness takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete David Gordon Green filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more David Gordon Green analyses, see Nutcrackers, Halloween Kills and Halloween.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Prince Thadeous is shown as a lazy, lecherous failure living in his heroic brother Fabious's shadow, avoiding responsibility and seeking only pleasure in the kingdom of Mourne.
Theme
King Tallious tells Thadeous that he must find his own path to greatness and stop hiding behind his brother's achievements, establishing the theme that true heroism comes from within.
Worldbuilding
The kingdom of Mourne is established with its medieval fantasy setting. Fabious returns triumphant with his rescued bride-to-be Belladonna, while Thadeous embarrasses himself and the kingdom. The brothers' contrasting natures are showcased.
Disruption
The evil wizard Leezar crashes Fabious's wedding and kidnaps Belladonna, revealing he needs her for a ritual during the two moons convergence to create a dragon and conquer the world.
Resistance
King Tallious commands Thadeous to join Fabious on the quest. Thadeous resists but is threatened with banishment. The brothers prepare and receive guidance about seeking the Blade of Unicorn from the wise wizard. Thadeous reluctantly commits to the journey.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Thadeous and Fabious ride out from the castle gates with their party, leaving the safety of the kingdom to embark on their quest through dangerous lands to save Belladonna.
Mirror World
The brothers encounter Isabel, a fierce warrior woman on her own quest for revenge against Leezar. She represents what Thadeous could become - a capable, self-reliant warrior fighting for something meaningful.
Premise
The quest unfolds with comedic adventure sequences: the brothers face the perverted Wise Wizard, battle a Minotaur (Thadeous claims his trophy), encounter treacherous environments, and gradually bond. Isabel joins their party after initial mistrust.
Midpoint
The party successfully retrieves the Blade of Unicorn from the Minotaur's labyrinth. Thadeous proves himself in combat, and they now have the weapon capable of killing Leezar - a false victory as dangers still await.
Opposition
Leezar's forces close in. Julie, one of Fabious's knights, is revealed as a traitor working for Leezar. The party is captured and separated. Leezar prepares the ritual with Belladonna as the two moons approach.
Collapse
The brothers are imprisoned and seemingly defeated. Fabious is broken by the betrayal, and Thadeous faces execution. Their quest appears to have failed completely, with Belladonna about to be violated in Leezar's ritual.
Crisis
In the dungeon, Thadeous finally accepts responsibility and rallies his brother. For the first time, Thadeous becomes the leader, reversing their lifelong dynamic. He refuses to let Fabious give up.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Thadeous engineers their escape from captivity. With Isabel's help from outside, they break free. Thadeous now leads the assault, combining his newfound courage with his brother's skills.
Synthesis
The final battle at Leezar's tower unfolds. The brothers fight through his forces together as equals. Thadeous faces Leezar directly, using the Blade of Unicorn. The ritual is interrupted, the dragon is defeated, and Belladonna is saved.
Transformation
Thadeous returns home a hero in his own right, no longer just Fabious's lesser brother. He has earned Isabel's respect and affection. The kingdom celebrates both princes as equals, and Thadeous has found his own path to greatness.