The Million Dollar Baby The Hero’s Journey By: Mehrdad Haghi

The Call to Adventure Call to Adventure – where the hero is pushed to resolve a challenge. Maggie needs to escape her southern red neck roots and Frankie needs to solve the problems concerning his daughter.

Refusal of the Call Refusal of the Call – where there is refusal. Frankie refuses to train Maggie

Supernatural Aid Supernatural Aid – where a powerful advisor encourages the hero to do the work. Eddie begins to help Maggie with her training and also guides Frankie towards Maggie.

The Crossing of the First Threshold The Crossing of the First Threshold – where a point of no return is crossed. Maggie works hard in the gym. There is no going back for her.

Belly of the Whale Belly of the Whale – where the hero physically separates from his Old World and heads into the Transformation. Willie leaves Frankie and Frankie has nothing else to do except train Maggie.

Road of Trials Road of Trials – where the hero transforms but not completely. Maggie becomes a professional boxer.

The Meeting with the Goddess The meeting with the goddess – where the hero faces a difficult choice. Maggie buys her family a house and Frank takes on the role of the father.

Woman as the Temptress When Maggie does not know what to do about the Bear and wants to give up.

Atonement with the Father Atonement with the Father – where the hero confronts the obstacle. Maggie fights and loses to the blue Bear.

Apotheosis Apotheosis – where the hero has the ecstasy state. Maggie realizes that she should have listened to Frankie and protected herself.

Ultimate Boon Ultimate Boon – the achievement of the goal of the quest. It is what the person went on the journey to get. Both Frankie and Maggie get a family.

Refusal of the Return Refusal of the Return – where the hero is repulsed by his Old Self or there is refusal on some level. Frankie refuses to go back to the gym.

Magic Flight Magic Flight – where the hero attempts to escape from the antagonism or, for some reason, is unable to confront it. Frankie takes Maggie away and attempts to find doctors who can reverse the situation.

Rescue from Without Rescue from Without – where the hero is pulled back toward his or her challenges. Maggie's family return and Frankie wants to replace them and resists their arrival.

Crossing the Return Threshold Crossing the Return Threshold – where the hero confronts the antagonism. Maggie loses her legs and asks Frankie to kill her.

Master of the Two Worlds Master of the Two Worlds – where the antagonism is defeated. Frankie kills Maggie.

Freedom to Live Freedom to Live – where the hero is freed from the antagonism. Frankie does not return to the gym.