I decided to analyse the movie Klaus (2019) directed by Sergio Pablos. This is the “Man in the Hole (Fall-Rise)” storyline, discussed by Kurt Vonnegut.
Breakdown of the story arc (the 8 stages):
- The character is in a zone of comfort (lounging at the Postal Academy).
- Jesper wants to keep his current status, but his father forces him to challenge himself.
- He enters an unfamiliar situation – the post office of Smeerensburg.
- He gets to know the town, its residents and the problems with collecting mail.
- However, with help from Klaus, he starts sending correspondence and fulfilling his challenge.
- After completing the task, he almost accepts the offer to return home, making the other characters think he has abandoned them. This almost leads to the triumph of the shadows.
- Jesper manages to save the gift-giving mission and reunites with his friends.
- His life goals have completely changed and he decides to stay in Smeerensburg. He found his family, home and purpose in life.
Protagonist’s timeline:
We first meet Jesper Johansen, the spoiled descendant of a politically influential family, who spends his free time at the Postal Academy. He plans to get passed through and pushed into the world, where he’ll coast on family money and connections. Instead, Jesper’s father assigns him to a remote town on the island of Smeerensburg that has not sent or received mail for years.
Arriving in Smeerensburg by ferry, the place seems like a hope-sucking panorama, devoid of colour. A nice detail was Klaus’s slow colour transformation later in the film. A warm golden glow slowly spreads across the cold blue landscape of Smeerensburg as the city gradually begins to change.
After the hero’s efforts to convince anyone to send a letter to have an excuse to leave this awful place, Jesper meets a mysterious craftsman (Klaus) in a remote patch of woods and the origin story begins. Jesper becomes less obnoxious as he discovers the secrets of the place. There is a constant feud between the two clans. Alva, a teacher turned fishmonger, is starting to pursue her career after having previously abandoned it.
This thematic journey towards understanding the truth about people and the world finally allows him to solve the central problem. However, before that happens, he almost abandoned his newfound dream of improving life on the island to return to his home. Ultimately, Jesper decides to stay in Smeerensberg and save Klaus from the plot of the villains. This lets the other characters see how much he’s changed, and he wins his bittersweet happy ending with Alva as his wife, two kids, and a new task to continue Klaus’ legacy.
Some of the changes we see in his character arc are:
- A personality change.
- A change in a character’s behaviour.
- A change in goal from one extreme to another.
- A change from ignorance to wisdom.
- A change in relationship to another character or characters.
- A change in values and beliefs.
- A betrayal of a friend or loved one.
- A change from one role to another.
Archetypes:
Hero: Jesper Johansen is Klaus‘ protagonist (2019, Netflix). He answers the challenge of reviving the post office in Smeerensburg. Completing the quest helps restore balance to the island and improve the lives of its inhabitants. In addition, we as viewers experience the journey through Jesper’s eyes.
Mentor: Initially a loner, a large woodworker who makes toys, Klaus is the mentor archetype. He motivates Jesper on missions, trains him in toy making, and helps him mature as a person.
Threshold Guardian: Mogens, a sarcastic ferryman from Smeerensburg who enjoys humour at the expense of others. He guards the way to the island and forces Jesper to challenges. This is often at the expense of the main character. He does not reveal much information, but he is a harbinger of change, so he can be considered the archetype of the Herald or even the Trickster.
Shadow: Families of Smeerensburg (adults). They want to keep the old order on the island. Dissatisfied with the changes Jesper and Klaus are bringing, they try to get rid of them. Lord Aksel Ellingboe, the patriarch of the Ellingboe clan, carries on an ancient feud of his clan with the Krums. Mrs Tammy Krum, the matriarch of the Krum clan, has an ancient feud between her clan and the Ellingboes.
Trickster: Alva, a teacher turned fishmonger, becomes the love interest of Jesper. She uses ridicule to help us see the absurdity of the situation and force change.
Allies (helpers): Márgu, a young Sámi girl who gets to know Jesper well despite the language barrier. The Lapps represent the virtues of the hero. With their helpfulness and cordiality, they support Jesper and Klaus.
Bibliography:
Klaus (2019) Directed by Sergio Pablos [Film]. Netflix.
StoryMasterAcademy (2011) Hero’s Journey Archetypes explained. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rnV9aszXbQ (Accessed: 05 November 2022).
Will Schoder (2016) Every Story is the Same. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuD2Aa0zFiA (Accessed: 05 November 2022).