1. The Hero’s Journey Arc
The protagonist goes on a transformative journey, facing obstacles and challenges, and eventually emerging as a hero.
The Hero’s Journey Character Examples:
- Luke Skywalker in Star Wars
- Neo in The Matrix
- Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
- The Ordinary World: Establishes the protagonist’s normal life before the central conflict begins.
- Call to Adventure: The hero is presented with a challenge or opportunity that disrupts their ordinary world.
- Refusal of the Call: The hero initially hesitates or refuses the call to adventure due to fear or uncertainty.
- Meeting with the Mentor: The hero encounters a mentor who provides guidance, tools, or inspiration to embark on the journey.
- Crossing the Threshold: The hero commits to the adventure and leaves their ordinary world behind, entering a new, unfamiliar realm.
- Tests, Allies, and Enemies: The hero faces trials, meets allies, and confronts enemies, gaining experience and insight.
- Approach to the Inmost Cave: The hero prepares for a major challenge or confrontation that lies ahead in the heart of the adventure.
- Ordeal: The hero faces a significant crisis or confrontation, testing their abilities and resolve.
- Reward: After overcoming the ordeal, the hero obtains a prize or achievement, often symbolic of their growth.
- The Road Back: The hero begins the journey back to their ordinary world, often facing additional challenges.
- Resurrection: The hero undergoes a final transformation or climactic test that signifies their ultimate growth and readiness.
- Return with the Elixir: The hero returns to their ordinary world with a newfound wisdom or boon, benefiting both themselves and their community.
2. The Redemption Arc
The protagonist starts off as a flawed or negative character and goes through a process of transformation, ultimately becoming a better person.
The Redemption Arc Examples:
- Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol
- Tony Stark in Iron Man
- Severus Snape in Harry Potter
- The negative traits of the character are established.
- The character experiences a pivotal moment that forces them to reassess their values and behavior.
- The character goes through a period of self-reflection and attempts to make amends for their past actions.
- The character is given an opportunity to demonstrate their newfound goodness.
- The character is finally able to achieve redemption.
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3. The Coming-of-Age Arc
The protagonist undergoes a significant transformation from childhood to adulthood, often through a series of challenges and experiences.
The Coming-of-Age Arc Examples:
- Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye
- Andy in The Shawshank Redemption
- Simba in The Lion King
How To Write The Coming Of Age Arc
- The character is introduced as a child or adolescent.
- The character faces challenges or obstacles that force them to grow up.
- The character experiences a turning point that leads to a period of self-reflection.
- The character makes a choice that shows their maturity and growth.
- The character emerges as an adult or fully-realized person.
4. The Tragic Arc
The protagonist starts off with a sense of hope or promise, but ultimately meets with failure or tragedy.
The Tragic Character Arc Examples:
- Romeo and Juliet in Romeo and Julie
- Tony Montana in Scarface
- Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
How To Write The Tragic Character Arc
- The character has a sense of promise or hope.
- The character makes choices or takes actions that ultimately lead to their downfall.
- The character experiences a moment of crisis or realization that they cannot overcome.
- The character meets with failure or tragedy.
- The character’s story serves as a cautionary tale.
5. The Transformation Arc
The protagonist undergoes a significant change or transformation, often through profound, supernatural or otherworldly means.
The Transformative Character Arc Examples:
- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
- Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk
- Michael Corleone in The Godfather
How To Write The Transformative Arc
- The character undergoes a transformation, often triggered by a specific event or experience.
- The character struggles to come to terms with their new identity or abilities.
- The character experiences a turning point that leads them to accept their transformation.
- The character uses their new abilities or identity to achieve their goals.
- The character emerges as a new or transformed person.
6. The Love Story Arc
The protagonist experiences a romantic relationship, often with obstacles or challenges to overcome.
The Love Story Arc Examples:
- Noah and Allie in The Notebook
- Jack and Rose in Titanic
- Rocky and Adrian in Rocky
How To Write The Love Story Arc
- The character meets and falls in love with someone, often in a unique or unexpected way.
- The character faces challenges or obstacles to their relationship, such as distance, disapproval from others, or personal issues.
- The character and their partner work to overcome these challenges, often through sacrifice or compromise.
- The character experiences a turning point in their relationship, either positive or negative.
- The character’s love story concludes, either happily or tragically.
7. The Rebellion Arc
The protagonist rebels against an oppressive system or authority, often leading a larger movement for change.
The Rebellion Arc Examples:
- Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games
- Morpheus in The Matrix
- William Wallace in Braveheart
How To Write The Rebellion Arc
- The character becomes aware of an oppressive system or authority.
- The character decides to take action against the system, often leading others to join their cause.
- The character and their rebellion face challenges and setbacks, often from the oppressors.
- The character experiences a turning point that either inspires them to continue or causes them to doubt their cause.
- The character and their rebellion either achieve their goals or face defeat.
8. The Revenge Arc
The protagonist seeks vengeance against those who have wronged them, often to the point of obsession.
The Revenge Arc Examples:
- Maximus in Gladiator
- The Bride in Kill Bill
- John Wick in John Wick
- The character experiences a traumatic event that motivates them to seek revenge.
- The character begins to plan and execute their revenge, often using extreme methods.
- The character becomes increasingly consumed by their obsession with revenge.
- The character experiences a turning point that causes them to question their actions.
- The character either achieves their revenge or realizes that revenge is not the answer.
9. The Survival Arc
The protagonist must survive in a dangerous or hostile environment, often facing physical and psychological challenges.
The Survival Arc Examples:
- Tom Hanks in Cast Away
- Ellen Ripley in Alien
- Aron Ralston in 127 Hours
- The character is thrust into a dangerous or hostile environment.
- The character faces physical and psychological challenges in order to survive.
- The character experiences a turning point that either increases their chances of survival or puts them at greater risk.
- The character either survives their ordeal or succumbs to the environment.
These are just a few examples of common character arcs in movies, but there are many others. The important thing to remember is that a good character arc should involve growth, transformation, and change, and should ultimately be satisfying and fulfilling for the audience.
