Aliens vs Predator: Requiem
No one can escape from the aggressive predatory Xenomorphs, and shortly after the Antarctic bloodshed in AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004), a crippled Predator ship crash-lands on the dense forest of Gunnison, Colorado. As a result, a vicious Predalien hybrid, along with numerous Stage 1 Xenomorphs, or Face-huggers, scatter in all directions, infecting everyone unfortunate enough to cross their path. Once more, the Earth is a battlefield, as both extraterrestrial species are fighting for supremacy, and the humans become stuck in the middle. Now, the fate of the entire city rests in the hands of Sheriff Eddie Morales, and a handful of residents. Can they ensure the fate of humankind?
Despite a moderate budget of $40.0M, Aliens vs Predator: Requiem became a commercial success, earning $130.3M worldwide—a 226% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Aliens vs Predator: Requiem (2007) showcases meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Colin Strause's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 34 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Dallas Howard
Kelly O'Brien
Ricky Howard
The Predator (Wolf)
Jesse Salinger
Sheriff Eddie Morales
Molly O'Brien
Main Cast & Characters
Dallas Howard
Played by Steven Pasquale
Recently returned Iraq War veteran struggling to reconnect with his daughter and brother while protecting his town from alien threats.
Kelly O'Brien
Played by Reiko Aylesworth
Tough returning soldier and mother who fights to survive and protect her daughter from the alien invasion.
Ricky Howard
Played by Johnny Lewis
Dallas's younger brother, a high school student and pizza delivery driver with a crush on Jesse.
The Predator (Wolf)
Played by Ian Whyte
Elite Predator warrior sent to clean up the Alien infestation and eliminate all evidence of extraterrestrial activity.
Jesse Salinger
Played by Kristen Hager
Popular high school student who becomes caught up in the alien conflict while dealing with relationship drama.
Sheriff Eddie Morales
Played by John Ortiz
Local sheriff who initially investigates strange occurrences before realizing the true scale of the threat.
Molly O'Brien
Played by Ariel Gade
Kelly's young daughter who must survive the nightmare of Aliens and Predators in her hometown.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The Predator ship in space after the events of AVP, seemingly returning home. The ordinary state before the crash establishes the containment of the alien threat.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when The Predator ship crashes in the forest outside Gunnison, releasing facehuggers and the Predalien into the Colorado woods. The alien threat breaches Earth.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to The aliens attack the town directly, bursting into the hospital and power plant. The characters can no longer ignore the threat - Dallas, Kelly, and others must actively choose to fight for survival., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The National Guard arrives - false hope of rescue. They're quickly slaughtered by the Aliens in the sewers. The realization that no help is coming and they're truly on their own., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 70 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Sheriff Morales is killed by the Predator. The military decides to sanitize the entire town with a tactical nuclear strike. The whiff of death: everyone and everything will be destroyed., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 75 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Dallas and Kelly synthesize their military and survival skills to lead the remaining civilians to the helicopter evac point. They stop running and commit to getting everyone out alive., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Aliens vs Predator: Requiem's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Aliens vs Predator: Requiem against these established plot points, we can identify how Colin Strause utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Aliens vs Predator: Requiem within the action genre.
Colin Strause's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Colin Strause films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Aliens vs Predator: Requiem takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Colin Strause filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Colin Strause analyses, see Skyline.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The Predator ship in space after the events of AVP, seemingly returning home. The ordinary state before the crash establishes the containment of the alien threat.
Theme
Dallas returns to Gunnison as an ex-con seeking redemption. His brother Ricky mentions "you can't run from your past" - the theme of confronting what you've tried to escape.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Gunnison, Colorado and its residents: Dallas the ex-con, Kelly the soldier returning from war, Sheriff Morales, the teenage subplot with Ricky and Jesse, and the town's mundane concerns before the invasion.
Disruption
The Predator ship crashes in the forest outside Gunnison, releasing facehuggers and the Predalien into the Colorado woods. The alien threat breaches Earth.
Resistance
The aliens begin hunting and spreading while the townspeople remain unaware. A lone Predator arrives to clean up the mess. Characters debate their personal problems, unaware of the real threat closing in.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The aliens attack the town directly, bursting into the hospital and power plant. The characters can no longer ignore the threat - Dallas, Kelly, and others must actively choose to fight for survival.
Mirror World
Kelly reunites with her husband Tim and daughter Molly, representing the family and community bonds worth fighting for - the human connection that contrasts with the alien horror.
Premise
The promise of the premise: Aliens vs Predator in small-town America. Survivors navigate the war zone between the two alien species while trying to escape the overrun town.
Midpoint
The National Guard arrives - false hope of rescue. They're quickly slaughtered by the Aliens in the sewers. The realization that no help is coming and they're truly on their own.
Opposition
The survivors fight through the sewers and streets while both alien forces close in. The Predator hunts the Aliens but sees humans as acceptable casualties. Losses mount and options dwindle.
Collapse
Sheriff Morales is killed by the Predator. The military decides to sanitize the entire town with a tactical nuclear strike. The whiff of death: everyone and everything will be destroyed.
Crisis
Dark night of the soul as the survivors process that their town will be obliterated. They have minutes to escape before the airstrike. Desperation and grief as they flee.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Dallas and Kelly synthesize their military and survival skills to lead the remaining civilians to the helicopter evac point. They stop running and commit to getting everyone out alive.
Synthesis
Final battle on the hospital rooftop as Dallas fights the Predator while Kelly protects the civilians. The helicopter extraction as the nuclear strike levels Gunnison. Escape and cover-up by the government.
Transformation
The government covers up the incident, taking the Predator weapon. Dallas and Kelly have survived but their home is destroyed, and the threat continues. Transformation through loss rather than victory.