Understanding the Hero’s Journey in Screenwriting: Three Iconic Films

Understanding the Hero’s Journey in Screenwriting: A Guide Through Three Iconic Films

The Hero’s Journey is one of the most enduring storytelling structures in screenwriting.

First popularized by mythologist Joseph Campbell in his seminal work The Hero with a Thousand Faces and later adapted for writers by Christopher Vogler in The Writer’s Journey, the hero’s journey outlines a universal narrative arc in which a protagonist embarks on an adventure, faces trials, and emerges transformed.

It is important to note that not every story follows this formula, nor ought it. There are legitimate concerns that the Hero’s Journey itself is the product of a particular time, place and culture (think straight, white, arch-conservative men in the 1940s like the Big JC) and that by perpetuating this structure we may also be perpetuating the negatives of such things as well.

Frankly, there is some merit to this accusation, but let’s not be too quick to throw the baby out with the bathwater. The Hero’s Journey is a tried-and-true tool that has a long history in screenwriting. This is particularly true for children’s fare like Star Wars (yes, I said it) or 1990s-onward Disney films.

While few working screenwriters would admit to using a template like the Hero’s Journey specifically to map their scripts, more than a few have used Campbell (or Vogler) to provide structural help during edits.

In this piece, we’ll examine the key stages of the hero’s journey and show how they apply to three well-known films: The Lion King, The Matrix, and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

The 12 Stages of the Hero’s Journey

Before diving into the examples, let’s briefly outline the classic 12 stages of the Hero’s Journey as adapted by Vogler:

Ordinary World
Call to Adventure
Refusal of the Call
Meeting with the Mentor
Crossing the First Threshold
Tests, Allies, and Enemies
Approach to the Inmost Cave
Ordeal
Reward (Seizing the Sword)
The Road Back
Resurrection
Return with the Elixir

Each of these stages represents a phase in the hero’s psychological and emotional transformation and often maps directly onto a film’s narrative structure.

The Lion King (1994)

Disney’s The Lion King is a textbook example of the Hero’s Journey. Let’s break it down:

Ordinary World: Simba enjoys life as a carefree cub in the Pride Lands.
Call to Adventure: Mufasa teaches Simba about the Circle of Life and his future responsibilities.
Refusal of the Call: After Mufasa’s death, Simba flees, blaming himself.
Meeting with the Mentor: Rafiki, and in a spiritual sense, Mufasa’s ghost, act as mentors who guide Simba toward self-realization.
Crossing the First Threshold: Simba decides to return to the Pride Lands.
Tests, Allies, and Enemies: Timon and Pumbaa support him; Scar and the hyenas oppose him.
Approach to the Inmost Cave: Simba confronts the ruins of the Pride Lands and the truth of Scar’s betrayal.
Ordeal: Simba battles Scar, risking his life and legacy.
Reward: Simba defeats Scar and reclaims his rightful place.
The Road Back: He must now restore the balance of the Pride Lands.
Resurrection: Simba takes on the mantle of king, shedding his past guilt.
Return with the Elixir: The Circle of Life is restored; Simba begins a new legacy.

The emotional growth of Simba from self-doubt to noble leader mirrors the transformational arc of the hero in classical mythology.

The Matrix (1999)

The Matrix, directed by the Wachowskis, is not only a sci-fi action film but also a modern myth deeply rooted in the Hero’s Journey.

Ordinary World: Neo is a hacker living a double life in a mundane reality.
Call to Adventure: Mysterious messages and his meeting with Trinity invite him to discover the truth.
Refusal of the Call: Neo hesitates, refusing to trust Morpheus or accept the Matrix’s reality.
Meeting with the Mentor: Morpheus introduces Neo to the real world and his potential.
Crossing the First Threshold: Neo takes the red pill, waking up in the real world.
Tests, Allies, and Enemies: Training with Morpheus, fighting Agents, forming bonds with Trinity and others.
Approach to the Inmost Cave: Entering the Matrix to rescue Morpheus.
Ordeal: Neo confronts death at the hands of Agent Smith.
Reward: Trinity’s belief and kiss resurrect him; Neo realizes his true power.
The Road Back: He returns to the Matrix with newfound mastery.
Resurrection: Neo now controls the Matrix, no longer bound by its rules.
Return with the Elixir: He becomes a symbol of liberation and hope for humanity.

The Matrix uses the journey not only to tell a compelling story but to explore deeper themes of identity, freedom, and destiny.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic, brought to screen by Peter Jackson, is one of the most comprehensive examples of the Hero’s Journey in cinema.

Ordinary World: Frodo Baggins lives peacefully in the Shire.
Call to Adventure: Gandalf reveals the danger of the One Ring.
Refusal of the Call: Frodo is reluctant but agrees when the threat grows.
Meeting with the Mentor: Gandalf guides him early on.
Crossing the First Threshold: Frodo leaves the Shire with Sam, entering a dangerous world.
Tests, Allies, and Enemies: The Fellowship forms; they face Ringwraiths, orcs, and internal tensions.
Approach to the Inmost Cave: The Fellowship reaches Moria and later Lothlórien, close to Mordor.
Ordeal: Gandalf falls in Moria; Boromir succumbs to the Ring’s power.
Reward: Frodo realizes he must go alone; he gains clarity and determination.
The Road Back: He journeys toward Mordor, with Sam as his sole companion.
Resurrection: Frodo takes on the burden of the Ring alone, fully stepping into his role.
Return with the Elixir: While not complete in this film, Frodo’s willingness to sacrifice sets the tone for the restoration of peace.

The Fellowship of the Ring perfectly illustrates the hero’s journey as a collective enterprise, with each member of the Fellowship undergoing their own arc.

Why the Hero’s Journey Matters

The Hero’s Journey persists in screenwriting not because it’s a rigid formula, but because it reflects psychological and emotional growth within the individual. Viewers resonate with protagonists who face trials, make difficult choices, and emerge transformed because those arcs mirror (or potentially inspire) our own experiences.

For screenwriters, the Hero’s Journey offers a blueprint that can be adapted and reshaped to fit many genres or tones. It’s not about ticking boxes but about ensuring that your story has stakes, transformation, and emotional payoff.

Even when writers break the mold—as in non-linear narratives or ensemble pieces—understanding the Hero’s Journey can provide foundational strength and clarity. It helps balance external action with internal growth and ensures that a screenplay delivers on both a narrative and thematic level.

Final Thoughts

From Simba’s royal destiny to Neo’s digital awakening and Frodo’s selfless quest, the Hero’s Journey maps well to some of the most totally obvious examples in film history. The interesting thing, however, is when you see it used in, for example, character-driven independent films, e.g. Lady Bird or Moonlight.

Even if your structure doesn’t completely depend on the Hero’s Journey, understanding how to use it as an editing tool can help your story truly resonate with the audience. Film, and the Hero’s Journey, aren’t about literally saving the world–it’s (they are) about change, choice, and the courage to confront the unknown.

The Fellowship of the Ring perfectly illustrates the hero’s journey as a collective enterprise, with each member of the Fellowship undergoing their own arc.