The Third Act is where we find arguably the greatest similarities between the flat character arc and the positive change arc, since in both types of story the protagonist will have a full grasp on the Truth by this point. The primary difference, of course, is that the protagonist in a flat character arc will have already been in possession of that Truth almost universally throughout the story.
The other difference is that, in a flat arc, select supporting characters (who are representative of the world around the protagonist) will have reached the point in their change arcs where the protagonist’s Truth will have convinced them to reject the Lie. The protagonist will still be facing overwhelming odds, but he won’t be facing them alone. Even should he die now, his cause will continue thanks to the converts he’s made along the way.
However, this does not necessarily mean all flat arcs will demonstrate deep themes. Every flat arc will present a protagonist whose views are opposed to the antagonist-influenced world. But those views may not be deep moral issues. Sometimes the Truth can be as simple as the evergreen “the bad guy will destroy the world if he isn’t stopped.” Flat arcs of this type are popular in action stories, and while their thematic elements aren’t as obvious, they’re still viable story forms. In Writing Screenplays That Sell, Michael Hauge comments:
Lots of excellent, entertaining, emotionally involving, and profitable [stories] don’t explore theme at all. I think Raiders of the Lost Ark is a terrific movie, but I don’t see anything more there than what’s on the surface. That’s fine. It is your choice as the [writer] to explore these underlying meanings or not.
The Third Plot Point
After what seemed to be a great victory at the end of the Second Act, the tables will be completely turned on your protagonist and he’ll be smacked back down into his most intense defeat yet. No matter what kind of arc your character is pursuing, this is going to be his low moment—his breaking point. He’s going to face down death, figuratively or literally, and he’s going to come to terms with his fears, re-embrace the Truth, and rise with renewed determination and vigor.