Unpacking the storytelling techniques behind Finding Nemo

Disney’s 2003 hit film Finding Nemo is an animated classic that is still captivating and entertaining audiences - both adult and children alike - some 20+ years after its release.

The film has aged well because it relies on timeless storytelling techniques that bring the audience in to a transformative experience for its main characters Marlin and Nemo.

In addition, the key themes explored in the movie - parental love, perseverance, overcoming fears - are constant features of the human experience.

Finding Nemo relies on a popular storytelling framework known as the hero’s journey. This framework can be found in other popular films such as Star Wars, The Matrix and The Wizard of Oz.

Here’s how it works:

Here’s how the this framework is applied in Finding Nemo:

I. The Ordinary World:

• Nemo's Reef: We are introduced to Marlin and Nemo's peaceful, albeit slightly overprotective, life on the anemone in the Great Barrier Reef. Nemo is a young clownfish eager to explore, while Marlin is still traumatized by the loss of his wife and other children. This establishes Nemo's normal, sheltered existence.

II. The Call to Adventure:

• Nemo's Defiance: During a school field trip, Nemo, in an act of rebellion against his father's overbearing caution, swims out to touch the "butt" boat. This act of defiance leads to his capture by a diver.

• Marlin's Desperation: Nemo's capture acts as the call to adventure for Marlin. Driven by love and guilt, he must leave the safety of his ordinary world and venture into the unknown ocean to find his son.

  

III. Refusal of the Call:

• Marlin's Fear: Initially, Marlin is hesitant and overwhelmed by the vastness and dangers of the ocean. His fear of the unknown and his past trauma make him want to retreat. However, his love for Nemo overrides this reluctance.

IV. Meeting the Mentor:

• Dory: Marlin encounters Dory, a regal blue tang with short-term memory loss. Despite her limitations, Dory possesses valuable knowledge of the ocean and a relentlessly optimistic spirit. She becomes Marlin's unlikely but essential mentor, guiding and supporting him on his journey.

V. Crossing the Threshold:

• Leaving the Reef: Marlin and Dory leave the familiar safety of the reef and enter the open ocean. This signifies their commitment to the quest and their entry into the special world of adventure.

VI. Tests, Allies, and Enemies:

• The Shark Trio: Marlin and Dory encounter Bruce, Anchor, and Chum, seemingly menacing sharks who are trying to be vegetarian. This presents an initial threat but ultimately leads to an uneasy alliance and a test of Marlin's trust.

• The Jellyfish Forest: A dangerous obstacle that tests Marlin and Dory's ability to navigate and protect each other.

• Crush and Squirt: Marlin and Dory hitch a ride on Crush, a laid-back sea turtle, and his son Squirt. This encounter provides crucial transportation and a lesson in letting go and trusting.

• Nigel the Pelican: Nigel, a friendly pelican, becomes an unexpected ally, providing Marlin with vital information about Nemo's whereabouts in Sydney.

• Darla: Darla, the dentist's niece, represents a recurring threat to Nemo in his captivity. Her rough handling of fish puts Nemo in constant danger.

VII. Approach to the Inmost Cave:

• Sydney Harbour: Marlin and Dory finally reach Sydney Harbour, the location of the dentist's office. This marks their approach to the central ordeal, the place where Nemo is being held.

• The Dentist's Office: For Marlin, the dentist's office is the "inmost cave" – a place of unknown dangers where his son is being held captive.

VIII. The Ordeal:

• Marlin Believes Nemo is Dead: Marlin witnesses what he believes to be Nemo's death in the toilet. This is his greatest crisis, a moment of profound despair where he believes his journey has been in vain. This "death" of hope forces him to confront his deepest fears and insecurities.

• Nemo's Ordeal: Simultaneously, Nemo faces his own ordeal in the fish tank, including Darla's presence and the uncertainty of his fate. His "playing dead" is his own moment of crisis and a test of his courage and resourcefulness.

IX. The Reward (Seizing the Sword):

• Marlin's Transformation: Believing Nemo is dead, Marlin begins his journey back home, a changed fish. He has learned to trust, to let go, and to be less fearful. This inner transformation is his primary reward.

• Nemo's Escape Plan: Nemo, having survived, successfully executes his plan to clog the filter and escape the dentist's office. This demonstrates his courage and newfound independence.

X. The Road Back:

• Nigel's Help: Nigel carries Marlin back towards the dentist's office after hearing about Nemo's survival.

• The Filter Clogging: Marlin witnesses the effects of Nemo's plan and realizes his son is alive and capable.

XI. The Resurrection:

• Reunion: Marlin and Nemo are reunited in a chaotic but joyful encounter at the harbor. Marlin fully embraces Nemo for who he is, accepting his adventurous spirit.

• Nemo's Bravery: Nemo actively participates in saving Dory from the fishing net, demonstrating his courage and the lessons he has learned. This signifies his own resurrection as a confident and capable young fish.

XII. Return with the Elixir:

• A Changed Reef: Marlin and Nemo return to the reef, their relationship fundamentally changed. Marlin is no longer driven by fear but by trust and love. He allows Nemo the freedom to explore.

• The Elixir of Trust: The "elixir" is the newfound trust and understanding between father and son. Marlin has learned to let go of his overprotective nature, and Nemo has learned the importance of courage and responsibility. The reef community is also enriched by the stories of their adventure and the inclusion of Dory as part of their family.

These storytelling techniques can be applied in any professional setting. For example, if you’re in Sales and you’re trying to persuade a client to buy from you, you can position yourself as the guide (Dory) partnering with your client (Marlin) on their mission (to find Nemo).

These storytelling techniques can also be used to demonstrate the transformative impact of your solution for your client’s business and their career. For example, if you’re a professional athlete trying to expand your brand beyond sports, you can explain the transformative impact (e.g. fashion advice) on your clients life (e.g. more confidence, more opportunities, perceived as a leader, access to new events).