End of Days
Cynical bodyguard Jericho is hired by a man possessed by Satan, who is in search of his bride. When Jericho realizes what is happening, he must do everything he can to save the woman and the world.
Despite a considerable budget of $100.0M, End of Days became a commercial success, earning $212.0M worldwide—a 112% 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%)
End of Days (1999) exhibits carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Peter Hyams's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 2 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jericho Cane, a broken alcoholic ex-cop turned security specialist, wakes up alone in his disheveled apartment, surrounded by liquor bottles. His suicidal despair and spiritual emptiness establish him as a man who has lost faith after his family's murder.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when An old priest attempts to assassinate Jericho's client, a Wall Street banker, by opening fire in the street. The shocking attack on what seemed like a routine security job thrusts Jericho into a supernatural conspiracy he doesn't understand.. 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 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to After Satan's forces attack and kill innocent people before his eyes, Jericho makes the active choice to protect Christine York, committing himself to a battle against supernatural evil despite his lack of faith. He enters a world where the Devil is real., moving from reaction to action.
At 61 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False defeat: Satan reveals his true power by possessing Jericho's partner Bobby and demonstrating he can take anyone, anywhere. The stakes escalate from protection mission to cosmic battle. Jericho realizes guns and tactics won't be enough—this requires faith he doesn't have., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 92 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Bobby is killed—the whiff of death. Jericho's last true ally dies, and Satan captures Christine, taking her to consummate their union. Jericho is beaten, alone, and faithless. The Devil has won, and the apocalypse seems inevitable., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 98 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Finale: Jericho storms Satan's lair, fights through minions, and confronts the Devil directly. When overpowered, he uses faith instead of violence—rejecting Satan's offers, praying for God's help, and ultimately sacrificing himself by impaling his own body to destroy Satan's host before midnight strikes., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
End of Days's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping End of Days against these established plot points, we can identify how Peter Hyams utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish End of Days within the action genre.
Peter Hyams's Structural Approach
Among the 14 Peter Hyams films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. End of Days takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Peter Hyams filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Peter Hyams analyses, see The Presidio, Timecop and Running Scared.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jericho Cane, a broken alcoholic ex-cop turned security specialist, wakes up alone in his disheveled apartment, surrounded by liquor bottles. His suicidal despair and spiritual emptiness establish him as a man who has lost faith after his family's murder.
Theme
Father Kovak tells fellow priests, "Faith is not just what we believe, but what we do in the face of evil." This statement of faith versus despair becomes the film's central question as Jericho must rediscover belief to fight Satan.
Worldbuilding
Establish Jericho's security work with partner Bobby, the Vatican's awareness of Satan's arrival in New York, and the mystical setup of Christine York as the chosen vessel. Cross-cut between Jericho's mundane protection jobs and supernatural forces gathering in the city as the millennium approaches.
Disruption
An old priest attempts to assassinate Jericho's client, a Wall Street banker, by opening fire in the street. The shocking attack on what seemed like a routine security job thrusts Jericho into a supernatural conspiracy he doesn't understand.
Resistance
Jericho investigates the shooter, discovers references to Christine York, and tracks her down. He debates whether to believe the impossible supernatural explanations while witnessing increasingly disturbing events. The rational ex-cop resists accepting that Satan literally walks the Earth.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
After Satan's forces attack and kill innocent people before his eyes, Jericho makes the active choice to protect Christine York, committing himself to a battle against supernatural evil despite his lack of faith. He enters a world where the Devil is real.
Mirror World
Christine York becomes Jericho's B-Story, representing innocence and faith that needs protecting. Her pure terror and desperate need for salvation mirror Jericho's lost capacity for belief. She is what he must save to redeem himself.
Premise
The "fun and games" of an action-horror premise: Jericho and Bobby protect Christine from Satan's minions, engage in supernatural combat, discover the millennium prophecy, and navigate possessed humans and demonic attacks. The promise: Arnold Schwarzenegger versus the Devil.
Midpoint
False defeat: Satan reveals his true power by possessing Jericho's partner Bobby and demonstrating he can take anyone, anywhere. The stakes escalate from protection mission to cosmic battle. Jericho realizes guns and tactics won't be enough—this requires faith he doesn't have.
Opposition
Satan tightens his grip: Jericho's faith wavers as the Devil offers temptations (resurrecting his family), the Vatican Knights turn against them seeking to kill Christine, and Satan's powers grow stronger as midnight approaches. Every sanctuary becomes compromised.
Collapse
Bobby is killed—the whiff of death. Jericho's last true ally dies, and Satan captures Christine, taking her to consummate their union. Jericho is beaten, alone, and faithless. The Devil has won, and the apocalypse seems inevitable.
Crisis
Jericho's dark night: he contemplates suicide, questions God's existence, and nearly gives up entirely. He sits in a church, broken and faithless, processing the loss of Bobby and his apparent failure to save Christine or stop Satan.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Finale: Jericho storms Satan's lair, fights through minions, and confronts the Devil directly. When overpowered, he uses faith instead of violence—rejecting Satan's offers, praying for God's help, and ultimately sacrificing himself by impaling his own body to destroy Satan's host before midnight strikes.