The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou poster

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

2004119 minutesR
4.2
Arcplot Score
📝 Unconventional
Unverified
7.2IMDb
🍅 73%Rotten Tomatoes
Ⓜ️ 62/100Metacritic
🎬 7.1TMDb
📊 2.0Popularity
🏆3 wins & 10 nominations total
Directed by: Wes Anderson
Written by: Wes Anderson, Noah Baumbach
When his partner is killed by the mysterious and possibly nonexistent Jaguar Shark, Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) and his Team Zissou crew set off for an expedition to hunt down the creature. Along with his estranged wife, a beautiful journalist and a co-pilot who could possibly be Zissou's son, the crew set off for one wild expedition.

Box Office

Budget:$50.0M
Revenue:$34.8M
Profit:$-15.2M

Arcplot Score Breakdown

Beat Timing Precision4.6/10
Emotional Arc Impact1/10
Thematic Consistency7/10
Overall Score4.2/10

Beat Sheet

15 plot points

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Arcplot
1
Opening Image
1 min
2
Theme Stated
5 min
3
Set-Up
15 min
4
Catalyst
25 min
5
Debate
40 min
6
Break Into Two
50 min
7
B Story
60 min
8
Fun and Games
70 min
9
Midpoint
85 min
10
Bad Guys Close In
95 min
11
All Is Lost
105 min
12
Dark Night of the Soul
110 min
13
Break Into Three
115 min
14
Finale
118 min
15
Final Image
119 min

Emotional Arc

+100-10

Plot Points

#1

Opening Image

1 min

Steve Zissou and his eccentric crew are introduced aboard the Belafonte, embarking on a whimsical oceanic adventure.

#2

Theme Stated

5 min

Themes of legacy, revenge, friendship, and personal growth emerge: can a flawed hero reconcile with his past and lead effectively?

#3

Set-Up

15 min

The crew sets out to find the elusive Jaguar Shark. Steve’s personal flaws and unresolved tensions with his crew are established.

#4

Catalyst

25 min

The discovery of a rival oceanographer and the threat to Steve’s legacy forces the journey to take a higher-stakes turn.

#5

Debate

40 min

Steve questions his ability to lead, maintain respect, and achieve his personal and professional goals.

#6

Break Into Two

50 min

Steve commits fully to the adventure and sets a plan to confront his rival and the Jaguar Shark.

#7

B Story

60 min

Relationships between Steve and his crew, as well as his estranged family, provide emotional depth and stakes.

#8

Fun and Games

70 min

Whimsical and comedic encounters at sea highlight Zissou’s eccentricity and adventurous spirit.

#9

Midpoint

85 min

A major setback occurs: the crew faces danger, Steve confronts his own insecurities, and stakes rise dramatically.

#10

Bad Guys Close In

95 min

Rivalries, misunderstandings, and the perils of the sea threaten the mission and Steve’s authority.

#11

All Is Lost

105 min

Steve’s plans collapse; the crew’s loyalty is tested, and his personal goals appear unreachable.

#12

Dark Night of the Soul

110 min

Steve reflects on failures, relationships, and the legacy he wants to leave behind.

#13

Break Into Three

115 min

Steve takes decisive action to confront rivals and repair relationships.

#14

Finale

118 min

The Jaguar Shark is confronted, relationships are mended, and Steve embraces personal growth and leadership.

#15

Final Image

119 min

Steve and his crew sail on, wiser and united, retaining their quirky charm and adventurous spirit.