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CATEGORY #1: A STRANGER COMES TO TOWN

A bad guy (e.g. monster, henchman, PERCY JACKSON AND THE LIGHTNING THIEF
villain, etc.) arrives and wreaks
havoc that often (but not always) THELMA & LOUISE
results in death.

The protagonist meets (or has an PRETTY WOMAN

unusual encounter with) a potential LETHAL WEAPON
love interest (or a future friend).
Also known as the “meet-cute.”

Here, the stranger raises the THE TRUMAN SHOW

specter of the past, frequently
causing the protagonist to confront THE OTHER DAUGHTER
personal demons the protagonist
would prefer to avoid. CREED III

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CATEGORY #2: THE OFFER YOUR PROTAGONIST CAN’T REFUSE

What it sounds like. The offer contains an BRUCE ALMIGHTY

element of intrigue (often ironic).
MEAN GIRLS

The offer is associated with an institution DEVIL WEARS PRADA

whose ranks the protagonist will join
upon accepting the offer. SWEET HOME ALABAMA

GLADIATOR

The protagonist is assigned a case—or SILENCE OF THE LAMBS

anything that has the feel of a mission. A
great option if your protagonist is a A FEW GOOD MEN
sleuth, lawyer, or undercover agent.
NEVER BEEN KISSED

CATEGORY #3: A SPIN ON THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE

The protagonist’s destiny will go into COMING TO AMERICA

effect on a date that has been specified
in advance. GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS

Luck deals the protagonist a cold hand HUNGER GAMES

(e.g. some kind of misfortune). A
common way to incite sympathy for the THE FUGITIVE
protagonist. THE VOW

The protagonist accidentally stumbles THE HUSBAND’S SECRET

upon, or is unexpectedly given,
something (good or bad).
DIVERGENT
ERIN BROCKOVICH

Magic is unleashed. Alternatively, the GHOST, 13 GOING ON

protagonist acquires a magical object or 30, THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, WHAT WOMEN WANT,
otherworldly powers. LIAR LIAR, CLICK, LIMITLESS, AND SPIDER-MAN.

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