Wonderland Scenario

Have you ever watched two movies like Spirited Away (2001) and The Shawshank Redemption (1984) and thought to yourself: “Huh, these two movies are really similar…” Well, that’s because they are! You see…these movies are using a structure I like to call the Wonderland Scenario.

So, what exactly is the Wonderland Scenario? In my own definition, it is a story structure that usually features a character — traditionally a young girl — who gets trapped in an unfamiliar world, her main goal being to escape and return to her “normal world.” This term is derived from Lewis Caroll’s Fantasy Novel, Alice in Wonderland (1865), where all its elements were born. Another early story that uses this is The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900). Like Alice in Wonderland, Dorothy gets lost in a world she’s unfamiliar with (Oz) and has a desire to leave it.

Now, how do all these relate back to Spirited Away and The Shawshank Redemption? Well, let’s look at the elements again: In Spirited Away, Chihiro gets trapped in the land of the Spirits. In The Shawshank Redemption, on the other hand, Andy Dufresne is sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. They both enter a world they are unfamiliar with and have a desire to leave it. In a way, these said movies are more of an evolved reincarnation of Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz as both movies have compelling themes and emotional beats.

The Wonderland Scenario structure, to me, is one of my favorite story structures – mainly because despite its ridiculous stories, it’s a relatable story for us growing teens. What do I mean by this? Remember your first day in school? Remember how nervous you were when you walked through those gates and you didn’t know anybody or where your classroom even was? Or do you remember the first time you went outside and had to cross the street all by yourself? Remember how you got lost but managed to eventually find your way home? ‘Cause these are what Wonderland Scenarios are truly all about – growing up, adaptation, and maturity among many other themes.

About the author:

Dominic "Bryle" Tayzon is an ENTJ-T, who loves watching and reviewing movies/TV shows, reading books, listening to music, and writing short stories. He's someone who believes in creativity, but most importantly putting his best foot forward.