Breaking the Cycle: A Proppian Analysis of It Ends With Us as a Modern Hero’s Narrative

Abstract

This study investigates the narrative structure of the film It Ends with Us (2025), adapted from Colleen Hoover’s novel, using Vladimir Propp’s theory of narrative functions. Through a descriptive qualitative method, the research examines how the 31 narrative elements proposed by Propp are present, adapted, or subverted in the film’s storyline. The findings reveal that the story maintains several classical components of the hero’s journey, such as trials, confrontation, and symbolic resolution. However, it also reinterprets certain roles and plot movements to emphasize contemporary themes like female autonomy, psychological healing, and the cycle of domestic violence. The protagonist’s journey reflects both internal and external conflict, resulting in personal transformation rather than a traditional heroic conquest. This analysis proves that Propp’s structural framework remains applicable in analyzing modern narratives, especially those centered on social and emotional resilience. The film stands as a powerful example of adapting folkloric structure to modern-day storytelling.