Butchers Book Two: Raghorn
A car accident leaves the victims in the hands of brutal cannibals who plan to hack them up for meat.
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%)
Butchers Book Two: Raghorn (2024) exemplifies precise plot construction, characteristic of Adrian Langley's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 28 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The protagonists are shown in their current life, attempting to move past the traumatic events of the first film, establishing a fragile sense of normalcy.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when A brutal murder or disappearance occurs, signaling that the danger has returned and their sanctuary has been compromised.. 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 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to The protagonists make the active decision to confront the threat rather than run, committing to enter dangerous territory to uncover the truth behind the killings., moving from reaction to action.
At 44 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat A false victory turns into devastating defeat: the group believes they've gained the upper hand or identified the killer, only to discover they're outnumbered or the threat is far worse than anticipated., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 66 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, A major character death or the protagonist's complete tactical failure; they are cornered, seemingly defeated, facing their own mortality with no apparent escape., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 70 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. A revelation about the killers' weakness or a burst of desperate resolve allows the protagonist to synthesize survival instincts with newfound ruthlessness for a final stand., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Butchers Book Two: Raghorn'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 Butchers Book Two: Raghorn against these established plot points, we can identify how Adrian Langley utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Butchers Book Two: Raghorn within the horror genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The protagonists are shown in their current life, attempting to move past the traumatic events of the first film, establishing a fragile sense of normalcy.
Theme
A secondary character warns that "some wounds never heal, they just wait," foreshadowing the return of past trauma and the film's exploration of inescapable violence.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the survivors' attempts at recovery, their relationships, lingering PTSD, and the isolated rural setting where they've sought refuge.
Disruption
A brutal murder or disappearance occurs, signaling that the danger has returned and their sanctuary has been compromised.
Resistance
The group debates whether to flee or investigate, gathering information about the new threat while confronting their fear and reluctance to face danger again.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The protagonists make the active decision to confront the threat rather than run, committing to enter dangerous territory to uncover the truth behind the killings.
Mirror World
Introduction or deepening of a key relationship (possibly with a local who knows the area's dark history) that will challenge the protagonist's approach to survival and revenge.
Premise
The hunt begins as protagonists track the killer through treacherous terrain, encountering gruesome discoveries and engaging in cat-and-mouse survival horror sequences.
Midpoint
A false victory turns into devastating defeat: the group believes they've gained the upper hand or identified the killer, only to discover they're outnumbered or the threat is far worse than anticipated.
Opposition
The antagonists close in with increasing brutality, picking off members of the group; trust erodes, mistakes compound, and the protagonists' flaws lead to catastrophic consequences.
Collapse
A major character death or the protagonist's complete tactical failure; they are cornered, seemingly defeated, facing their own mortality with no apparent escape.
Crisis
The darkest moment where the surviving protagonist(s) must process their losses and confront whether to give up or find the will to fight back despite overwhelming odds.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
A revelation about the killers' weakness or a burst of desperate resolve allows the protagonist to synthesize survival instincts with newfound ruthlessness for a final stand.
Synthesis
The final confrontation unfolds with extreme violence as the protagonist turns the tables, using the killers' methods against them in a brutal, visceral finale.
Transformation
The closing image shows the survivor(s) transformed by violence—hollowed out, scarred beyond recognition, suggesting that survival came at the cost of their humanity.