The script potential score of The Handmaiden is 0.29 (predicted 230-256MM, performance similar to Doctor Strange)
The script of The Handmaiden will appeal to 8.4 – 9.3 % of the population
93% events in The Handmaiden are borrowed from 4 mythological tales
The script of The Handmaiden will appeal to 8.4 – 9.3 % of the population
Any story is the quest to fulfil a human desire. We have identified universal quests for every human desire. These universal quests reveal the invisible plot structure of stories. An analysis of Blockbuster, Hit & Flop plots led to the discovery of Mythosis Code. The Code reveals the story principles shared by all Blockbusters. We use the Code to estimate and unlock a story’s Blockbuster potential.
All Blockbusters have at least 3 universal quests. The Handmaiden has 4 universal quests of Tranquillity, Accumulation, Vengeance & Idealism.
In Blockbusters, each universal quest is mirrored by ONLY ONE character. Sookee mirrors the universal quest of Idealism. Hideko mirrors the quest of Tranquillity. Count mirrors the quest of Accumulation & Uncle mirrors the quest of Vengeance.
Every Blockbuster character borrows at least 35% of the universal quest. Sookee’s character borrows 38% of the universal quest of Idealism. Hideko borrows 36% of the quest of Idealism. Count borrows 21% of the quest of Accumulation. Uncle’s character borrows 13% of the quest of Vengeance.
Blockbusters interweave different quests to create a tight plot structure. Interweaving occurs when events of 2 quests occur simultaneously in the story. Blockbusters have a quest interweaving threshold of 0.5. The Handmaiden’s quest interweaving score is 0.5 and at par. An example of interweaving of Hideko’s & Uncle’s quests:
Blockbusters have a script score of at least 0.64 whereas The Handmaiden’s script score is 0.29. Based on the script score we estimate that the movie will appeal to 8.4 – 9.3 % of the population.
The plot structure of The Handmaiden borrows from 4 universal quests and 2 of those quests, Sookee & Hideko, are quite powerful. Enhancing the depth of Count’s & Uncle’s quest would have unlocked the script’s blockbuster potential.
93% events in The Handmaiden are borrowed from 4 mythological tales
At Mythosis, we have identified 32 mythological tales. Each mythological tale uniquely represents a human quest to fulfil a desire. These tales are the super set of thousands of tales across cultures.
We have codified the events of each mythological tale. Every tale has 5 major arcs. Each arc has a sequence of events. These events culminate into a major event. Here is the mapping of each character’s quest to the major events in their respective mythological tale.
Quest 1: Sookee mirrors 38% of Prometheus’ quest for Idealism (above threshold of 35%)
Sookee’s desire for Idealism stems from the need for fairness & justice. The tale of Prometheus from Greek mythology is the universal quest for Idealism.
Quest 2: Hideko mirrors 36% of Odysseus’ quest for Tranquillity (above threshold of 35%)
Hideko’s desire for Idealism stems from the need to be in secure surroundings. The tale of Odysseus from Greek mythology is the universal quest for Tranquillity.
Quest 3: Uncle mirrors 13% of Circe’s quest for Power (below threshold of 35%)
Uncle’s desire for Power stems from the need to dominate others. The tale of Circe from Greek mythology is the universal quest for Power.
Quest 4: Count mirrors 21% of Valmiki's quest for Accumulation (below threshold of 35%)
Count's desire for Accumulation stems from the need to collect & own. The tale of Valmiki from Hindu mythology has a robust expression in Dicken’s character of Scrooge which is the universal quest for Accumulation.
Tags:Accumulation, Amazon Prime 2016, Box office, Character development, Circe, CJ Entertainment, Idealism, Moho Film, Movie Review, Mythology, Odysseus, Park Chan-wook, Power, Prometheus, Script, Story plot, Tranquillity, Valmiki, Yong Film
