How To Write A Survival Story Arc

3. Establish the Stakes

Survival movies are all about high stakes.

Whether your characters are fighting to survive against the elements, wild animals, or other people, the stakes should be clear from the outset.

Try to create a clear goal for your characters. For example, they might be trying to find their way back to civilization, or searching for a source of clean water. By giving your characters a specific goal, you can create a sense of purpose and direction in the story.

• In “The Road” (2009), a father and son must navigate a post-apocalyptic world while avoiding cannibalistic gangs and finding enough food to survive.
• In “The Revenant” (2015), a frontiersman is left for dead in the wilderness and must fight to survive and seek revenge on the men who left him behind.
• In “The Grey” (2011), a group of oil rig workers must fend off a pack of wolves after crashing in the Alaskan wilderness.
• In “The Way Back” (2010), a group of prisoners must trek through the Siberian wilderness to reach safety after escaping from a Soviet gulag.
• In “Open Water” (2003), a couple is left stranded in the middle of the ocean after their diving excursion goes wrong, and must find a way to survive with limited resources and the ever-present threat of sharks.
• In “The Impossible” (2012), a family is caught in the devastating aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and must fight to stay alive and find each other amidst the chaos and destruction.
• In “All Is Lost” (2013), a lone sailor is stranded at sea when his sailboat is damaged, and must use all of his skills and resources to survive against the elements and find a way back to civilization.

4. Develop the Plot

The plot of your survival story should be driven by the characters’ struggle to survive.

As such, the plot should be focused on the challenges they face and the ways in which they overcome them. This could involve finding food and water, building shelter, or defending themselves against threats.

As you’re developing the plot, try to keep the story moving forward. Try to focus on the action and conflict that drives the story. Consider using cliffhangers, unexpected twists and make the audience eager to see what happens next.

5. Create a Sense of Progression

Survival stories can quickly become repetitive if there is no sense of progression (Walking Dead ahem…)

Create a sense of forward momentum as the characters work to overcome their challenges. This could be the gradual improvement of their living conditions, the discovery of new resources, or the development of new skills.

For example, they might learn how to build a fire or catch fish, or they might develop a closer bond with one another. By showing your characters growing and changing over the course of the story, you can keep the story fresh and interesting.

• In “The Revenant” (2015), Hugh Glass begins his journey as a nearly helpless invalid, but gradually becomes stronger and more determined as he seeks revenge on the men who left him for dead.
• In “The Martian” (2015), Mark Watney uses his scientific knowledge to grow crops and produce water on an inhospitable planet, slowly working his way towards rescue.
• In “The Way Back” (2010), the group of prisoners gradually learns to work together and overcome their differences as they trek through the Siberian wilderness.
• In “The Edge” (1997), the characters begin the story as bickering rivals, but gradually learn to rely on and trust one another as they fight to survive.
• In “The Road” (2009), the father and son slowly accumulate supplies and improve their living conditions as they make their way towards the coast.
• In “The Descent” (2005), the characters initially struggle to find a way out of the cave system, but gradually discover new passages and escape routes as they explore further.
• In “Wild” (2014), Cheryl Strayed begins her journey as a novice hiker, but gradually becomes more skilled and confident as she makes her way along the Pacific Crest Trail.

6. Craft a Satisfying Conclusion

Survival stories often end with the characters either being rescued or succumbing to their circumstances.

Regardless of the outcome, it’s important to craft a satisfying conclusion that ties up any loose ends and provides a sense of closure.

Make your ending satisfying by avoiding tying up every loose end in a neat bow, but make sure that the major questions and conflicts in the story are resolved. Consider leaving some room for interpretation or ambiguity, as this can add depth and complexity to the story.

• In “The Way Back” (2020), the group of prisoners finally reaches safety after surviving their long trek through the Siberian wilderness. The film ends with a shot of the survivors walking towards freedom, with the knowledge that they have overcome incredible odds to survive.
• In “The Snow Walker” (2003), the main character and an Inuit girl he is traveling with finally make it to civilization after being stranded in the wilderness. The final shot shows them arriving at a small town, with the knowledge that they have forged a powerful bond through their shared experience.
• In “The River Wild” (1994), the main character and her family finally make it through the rapids and reach safety after being pursued by a group of criminals. The final shot shows them being reunited with their loved ones, with the knowledge that they have come through a harrowing experience with a newfound appreciation for each other.
• In “The Naked Prey” (1965), the main character finally escapes from the African tribe that has been hunting him and makes it back to civilization. The final shot shows him arriving at a British outpost, with the knowledge that he has survived an incredible ordeal and emerged stronger for it.
• In “The Way” (2010), the main character finally reaches the end of his long trek along the Camino de Santiago. The final shot shows him looking out at the Atlantic Ocean, with the knowledge that he has completed an incredible journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
• In “Arctic” (2018), the main character is finally rescued after being stranded in the frozen tundra. The film ends with a shot of him being airlifted to safety, with the knowledge that he has survived against incredible odds and can now return to his life with a newfound appreciation for it.

7. Use Foreshadowing

Consider setting up clues or hints that suggest future events in the story, such as a character’s survival skills, or the way they react to a particular situation.

For example, you might introduce a character who is an expert at wilderness survival, and then later in the story, have them use those skills to save the group. By foreshadowing events in this way, you can create a sense of anticipation and build suspense in your story.

• In “The Edge of Seventeen” (2016), the main character’s friend mentions that he has a survival kit in his car. Later in the film, the main character must use the survival kit to stay alive.
• In “The Way Back” (2010), the main character is shown drinking his own urine early in the film. Later in the story, he must teach the other prisoners how to do the same in order to survive.
• In “The Snow Walker” (2003), the main character is shown building an igloo early in the film. Later, he and his companion must rely on the igloo for shelter.
• In “The Revenant” (2015), the main character is told by a Native American that he will be killed by a “white-haired grizzly.” Later, he is attacked by a bear with white fur.
• In “Wild” (2014), the main character is shown struggling to pack her backpack early in the film. Later, she is forced to discard much of her gear in order to lighten her load.
• In “Adrift” (2018), the main character is shown setting up a sextant early in the film. Later, she uses the sextant to navigate while stranded at sea.
• In “The Grey” (2011), the main character is shown sharpening a piece of glass early in the film. Later, he uses the glass to improvise a weapon to defend himself against the wolves.

8. Vary the Challenges

As you develop the plot, it’s important to vary the challenges that your characters face to keep the story fresh, interesting, and prevent it from becoming too predictable.

Introduce new obstacles, or change existing ones to keep the story moving forward.

For example, if your characters are initially struggling to find food and water, introduce a new threat like a dangerous predator, that forces them to change their strategy. 

9. Show the Consequences

Survival stories are high stakes, so the cost of failure should be equally as high.

If your characters fail to find food, water, or shelter, they may suffer from hunger, thirst, exposure or even death. Consequences help to create a sense of urgency and tension in the story.

Be realistic though and avoid melodrama. Show the characters struggling to survive, but also show them adapting and finding solutions to their problems.

10. Revise and Edit

Once you have a draft of your survival story arc, take the time to revise and edit it.

Look for ways to tighten the plot, develop the characters, and improve the pacing. Get feedback from other writers or readers to help you identify areas that need improvement.

Good luck!