Black Adam
Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the Egyptian gods--and imprisoned just as quickly--Black Adam is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world.
Working with a major studio investment of $200.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $393.5M in global revenue (+97% profit margin).
1 win & 12 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Teth-Adam / Black Adam
Hawkman / Carter Hall
Doctor Fate / Kent Nelson
Adrianna Tomaz
Cyclone / Maxine Hunkel
Atom Smasher / Albert Rothstein
Ishmael Gregor / Sabbac
Amon Tomaz
Main Cast & Characters
Teth-Adam / Black Adam
Played by Dwayne Johnson
An ancient antihero awakened in modern times, seeking vengeance with godlike powers but learning the cost of heroism.
Hawkman / Carter Hall
Played by Aldis Hodge
The leader of the Justice Society, a winged warrior who believes in honor and following the rules.
Doctor Fate / Kent Nelson
Played by Pierce Brosnan
A mystical sorcerer who sees the future and serves as the wise elder of the Justice Society.
Adrianna Tomaz
Played by Sarah Shahi
A university professor and resistance fighter who awakens Black Adam to free her country from oppression.
Cyclone / Maxine Hunkel
Played by Quintessa Swindell
A young Justice Society member with wind powers who believes in redemption and second chances.
Atom Smasher / Albert Rothstein
Played by Noah Centineo
A size-changing hero and newest Justice Society member eager to prove himself and follow his uncle's legacy.
Ishmael Gregor / Sabbac
Played by Marwan Kenzari
The leader of the Intergang mercenaries who seeks demonic power to rule Kahndaq.
Amon Tomaz
Played by Bodhi Sabongui
Adrianna's resourceful young son who idolizes superheroes and befriends Black Adam.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ancient Kahndaq prologue: A narrator describes the brutal enslavement of the people of Kahndaq under King Ahk-Ton, who forces them to mine for Eternium to forge the Crown of Sabbac, establishing the nation's history of oppression and the origin of the champion.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Cornered by Intergang mercenaries in the underground tomb, Adrianna reads the incantation that awakens Teth-Adam from his 5,000-year slumber. He erupts from the earth and violently decimates the mercenaries, disrupting the entire power balance of modern Kahndaq.. At 12% 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 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to The Justice Society arrives in Kahndaq and confronts Teth-Adam in the city square. Rather than surrender, he chooses to fight, making the irreversible decision to position himself against the world's established heroes and cementing his role as an anti-hero rather than a villain or a traditional champion., moving from reaction to action.
At 63 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Doctor Fate reveals to Hawkman a vision showing that if they continue fighting Teth-Adam, it will lead to catastrophic destruction. This false defeat shifts the stakes from "stop Black Adam" to "work with Black Adam," fundamentally changing the game as heroes and anti-hero must now find common ground., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 94 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Ishmael captures Amon and threatens to kill him unless Teth-Adam surrenders his powers. Forced to choose between his power and an innocent child who reminds him of his lost son, Adam speaks "Shazam" and becomes mortal, allowing himself to be killed. The champion falls, seemingly defeated forever., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 100 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Doctor Fate sacrifices himself to trap Sabbac temporarily, buying time for Hawkman to resurrect Teth-Adam by speaking the magic word over his body. Adam is reborn, now fighting not for vengeance but for the people of Kahndaq and to honor Fate's sacrifice—synthesizing his rage with purpose., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Black Adam's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Black Adam against these established plot points, we can identify how Jaume Collet-Serra utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Black Adam within the action genre.
Jaume Collet-Serra's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Jaume Collet-Serra films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Black Adam exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jaume Collet-Serra filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Jaume Collet-Serra analyses, see House of Wax, Jungle Cruise and Carry-On.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ancient Kahndaq prologue: A narrator describes the brutal enslavement of the people of Kahndaq under King Ahk-Ton, who forces them to mine for Eternium to forge the Crown of Sabbac, establishing the nation's history of oppression and the origin of the champion.
Theme
Adrianna tells her son Amon that heroes don't kill people, establishing the central thematic question: Can a violent anti-hero who kills without mercy be considered a true hero, or does heroism require restraint and moral boundaries?
Worldbuilding
Modern-day Kahndaq is established as a nation under occupation by Intergang mercenaries. Adrianna Tomaz, a resistance fighter and professor, searches for the Crown of Sabbac with her brother Karim to prevent Intergang from obtaining it. Her son Amon idolizes superheroes despite living in a land without them.
Disruption
Cornered by Intergang mercenaries in the underground tomb, Adrianna reads the incantation that awakens Teth-Adam from his 5,000-year slumber. He erupts from the earth and violently decimates the mercenaries, disrupting the entire power balance of modern Kahndaq.
Resistance
The world responds to Teth-Adam's awakening. Amanda Waller dispatches the Justice Society—Hawkman, Doctor Fate, Atom Smasher, and Cyclone—to intervene. Adrianna and Amon attempt to guide Teth-Adam, who struggles to understand the modern world while displaying brutal methods that disturb his would-be allies.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The Justice Society arrives in Kahndaq and confronts Teth-Adam in the city square. Rather than surrender, he chooses to fight, making the irreversible decision to position himself against the world's established heroes and cementing his role as an anti-hero rather than a villain or a traditional champion.
Mirror World
Amon begins teaching Teth-Adam about modern superhero culture—catchphrases, capes, and the code against killing. This surrogate father-son dynamic mirrors Adam's lost relationship with his own son Hurut and represents the thematic counterpoint: Can connection with innocence redeem a violent protector?
Premise
Black Adam clashes spectacularly with the Justice Society while protecting Kahndaq from Intergang. The "fun and games" delivers on the promise of the premise: a morally gray superpowered being with godlike abilities facing off against traditional heroes, with massive destruction and the question of whether he's savior or threat.
Midpoint
Doctor Fate reveals to Hawkman a vision showing that if they continue fighting Teth-Adam, it will lead to catastrophic destruction. This false defeat shifts the stakes from "stop Black Adam" to "work with Black Adam," fundamentally changing the game as heroes and anti-hero must now find common ground.
Opposition
Ishmael Gregor, revealed as the descendant of King Ahk-Ton, manipulates events to obtain the Crown of Sabbac. The Justice Society and Black Adam form an uneasy alliance. Teth-Adam's true origin is revealed: he was not the champion, but received powers from his son Hurut to save him, then killed the Council of Wizards in rage after Hurut's death.
Collapse
Ishmael captures Amon and threatens to kill him unless Teth-Adam surrenders his powers. Forced to choose between his power and an innocent child who reminds him of his lost son, Adam speaks "Shazam" and becomes mortal, allowing himself to be killed. The champion falls, seemingly defeated forever.
Crisis
With Teth-Adam dead and powerless, Ishmael dons the Crown of Sabbac and transforms into a demonic being. The Justice Society is overwhelmed. Doctor Fate sees that only one path leads to victory, and it requires his sacrifice. Kahndaq falls into darkness as the demon Sabbac rises.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Doctor Fate sacrifices himself to trap Sabbac temporarily, buying time for Hawkman to resurrect Teth-Adam by speaking the magic word over his body. Adam is reborn, now fighting not for vengeance but for the people of Kahndaq and to honor Fate's sacrifice—synthesizing his rage with purpose.
Synthesis
Black Adam and the Justice Society unite against Sabbac in an epic final battle. Adam embraces his role as Kahndaq's protector, channeling his fury with newfound purpose. He defeats Sabbac by ripping him in half, demonstrating that while he'll never be a traditional hero, he can be the champion his people need.
Transformation
Teth-Adam sits on the throne of Kahndaq, not as a conqueror but as a protector. He declares that Kahndaq is under his protection and the world's heroes should not interfere. The enslaved boy from the prologue has become the sovereign guardian—transformed from weapon of vengeance to champion of his people.