Beast
A recently widowed man and his two teenage daughters travel to a game reserve in South Africa. However, their journey of healing soon turns into a fight for survival when a bloodthirsty lion starts to stalk them.
The film earned $56.0M at the global box office.
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%)
Beast (2022) demonstrates strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Baltasar Kormákur's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 32 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Dr. Nate Samuels
Martin Battles
Meredith "Mare" Samuels
Norah Samuels
The Lion
Main Cast & Characters
Dr. Nate Samuels
Played by Idris Elba
A recently widowed father who takes his daughters to South Africa for a reunion with an old family friend, facing a rogue lion protecting his family.
Martin Battles
Played by Sharlto Copley
A wildlife biologist and family friend who manages a game reserve and guides the Samuels family through their safari.
Meredith "Mare" Samuels
Played by Iyana Halley
Nate's older teenage daughter who is grieving her mother's death and struggling with resentment toward her father.
Norah Samuels
Played by Leah Jeffries
Nate's younger daughter who is more open with her father but also processing her mother's death.
The Lion
Played by N/A
A rogue male lion seeking revenge against poachers who killed his pride, attacking humans indiscriminately.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Dr. Nate Samuels arrives in South Africa with his daughters Meredith and Norah, visiting the land where their late mother grew up. The family is fractured by grief and estrangement.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when The family discovers a devastated Tsonga village with all inhabitants brutally killed. They realize a rogue lion is responsible, hunting humans for revenge after poachers killed its pride.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to The rogue lion attacks their vehicle, severely injuring Martin. Nate makes the active choice to fight for survival and protect his daughters, transitioning from passive father to active protector., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Nate ventures out to the vehicle to retrieve a tranquilizer gun and discovers Martin is still barely alive. False hope that they might signal for rescue is crushed when the lion returns and the radio is destroyed., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 69 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Nate is severely mauled by the lion while protecting his daughters. Separated from them and critically injured, he appears to be dying. The girls witness their father's apparent death, mirroring their mother's loss., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The daughters choose to fight back and rescue their father. Nate, barely conscious, realizes he must summon his last strength. He understands that being present for his children means fighting even when it seems hopeless., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Beast's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Beast against these established plot points, we can identify how Baltasar Kormákur utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Beast within the thriller genre.
Baltasar Kormákur's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Baltasar Kormákur films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Beast represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Baltasar Kormákur filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional thriller films include Eye for an Eye, Lake Placid and Operation Finale. For more Baltasar Kormákur analyses, see Contraband, 2 Guns.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Dr. Nate Samuels arrives in South Africa with his daughters Meredith and Norah, visiting the land where their late mother grew up. The family is fractured by grief and estrangement.
Theme
Martin Battles, their family friend and wildlife biologist, tells them about the delicate balance of nature and how "everything here has a purpose." The theme of man vs. nature and protective instinct is established.
Worldbuilding
Nate attempts to reconnect with his daughters while dealing with their resentment over his absence during their mother's illness. Martin takes them on a tour of the reserve, showing them the beauty of the African wildlife and explaining the poaching crisis.
Disruption
The family discovers a devastated Tsonga village with all inhabitants brutally killed. They realize a rogue lion is responsible, hunting humans for revenge after poachers killed its pride.
Resistance
Martin debates whether to report the attacks and risk the lion being killed. He tries to track the lion while keeping the family safe. Nate resists leaving immediately, wanting to salvage the trip and his relationship with his daughters.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The rogue lion attacks their vehicle, severely injuring Martin. Nate makes the active choice to fight for survival and protect his daughters, transitioning from passive father to active protector.
Mirror World
Stranded and wounded, Nate must connect with his daughters on a primal level. Meredith reveals her anger about his absence when their mother was dying, forcing Nate to confront his failures as a father.
Premise
The family fights to survive in the disabled vehicle and abandoned school, with Nate using his wits to protect his daughters from the relentless lion. They attempt various survival strategies including hiding, seeking shelter, and trying to signal for help.
Midpoint
Nate ventures out to the vehicle to retrieve a tranquilizer gun and discovers Martin is still barely alive. False hope that they might signal for rescue is crushed when the lion returns and the radio is destroyed.
Opposition
The lion hunts them relentlessly through the school. Nate's attempts to protect his daughters become increasingly desperate. The family's unity is tested as injuries mount and escape seems impossible. Martin dies from his wounds.
Collapse
Nate is severely mauled by the lion while protecting his daughters. Separated from them and critically injured, he appears to be dying. The girls witness their father's apparent death, mirroring their mother's loss.
Crisis
Meredith and Norah must decide whether to save themselves or try to rescue their wounded father. They process their grief and fear, recognizing their father's sacrifice and finding strength in each other.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The daughters choose to fight back and rescue their father. Nate, barely conscious, realizes he must summon his last strength. He understands that being present for his children means fighting even when it seems hopeless.
Synthesis
Nate engages in a brutal final confrontation with the lion, using primitive tactics and pure willpower. His daughters assist in distracting the lion. Together, the family works as a unit to survive, ultimately defeating the beast.
Transformation
Rescued and recovering, the family embraces in the helicopter. Nate has proven himself as a protector and present father. The daughters have forgiven him, and the family is reunited through shared trauma and survival.