Personally, I think the best films are those where audiences can emotionally connect with the protagonist, mainly because the protagonist is the main focus of the film. From the opening scene to the closing credits, we watch their transformation unfold on screen. With all the scripts I've read, very few writers are able accomplish this, and that's okay.
Even as an audience member watching films, I've noticed that, most of the time, it's hard to connect emotionally with the protagonist. But that doesn't mean the movie is bad. I like to look at it as, "If I can't connect emotionally to them, someone else will." Audiences love someone they can relate to, because they see a part of themselves portrayed on screen.
The first thing you want to do is map out who your protagonist is. Who are they as a person? What are they like? What excites them? What are they afraid of? What do they need to overcome? What's their relationship with family like? Do they have a family? Who do they spend time with? What's their fatal flaw? What are their needs and wants?
Exercise: Take about 10 minutes to envision your protagonist in front of you. Imagine interviewing them and asking them some questions. Once you have a clear idea of who they are, write it all out. Reflect on the conversation you had with the protagonist, and start placing it into the beat sheet.
Within the first ten pages, we need to get a sense of who the protagonist is, what they're struggling with, and how they'll go about solving the problem. Remember, no journey is simple from point A to point B.
Let's take a look at Elphaba from Wicked, for example. She wants acceptance through usefulness. She firmly believes that if she can be powerful, brilliant, and indispensable, she'll be loved. However, she needs to believe she has value without having to earn it. This is something audiences can relate to. "If I'm good enough, maybe they won't reject me." Think about it like this: when she first appears at Shiz, she's not greeted warmly by others. Even Glinda hesitates for a moment when she says, "You're...green." Elphaba pauses, takes a good look at herself, and responds, "I am."
Now, as we see her journey unfold, she's clearly flawed: no matter how hard she tries to be good, she gets punished for it. Anyone who has tried to do the right thing and has faced consequences for it can fully relate. They might ask themselves, "What if doing the right thing costs you everything?"
Near the end of Wicked, we see her transform into the villain everyone knows from the Wizard of Oz as she belts "Defying Gravity". That's where the transformation is complete because what she's really saying is, "I refuse to ask permission to exist anymore." The emotional punch comes from years of repression, one moment of clarity, and a choice to burn bridges forever. Although she knows she's going to be hated anyway, she chooses herself.
By the film's end, audiences emotionally connect with her and even do some self-reflection. Personally, I've had to do some self-reflection.
If you want some more guidance or have any questions, please reach out to me! I'm always happy to help!