We see the hero in their normal, everyday life, establishing a baseline and highlighting their flaws or personal stresses.
The energy of the dark side. This is typically the villain or antagonist who creates the central conflict. The Writer's Journey
The audience's eyes and ears. They are willing to sacrifice their own needs on behalf of others and drive the central narrative. We see the hero in their normal, everyday
The ultimate, most severe test at the threshold of home. The hero must use everything they have learned to prove they have truly transformed. confronts their greatest fear
The central crisis of the story. The hero hits rock bottom, confronts their greatest fear, and undergoes a metaphorical "death and rebirth".