Hellboy
In the final days of World War II, the Nazis attempt to use black magic to aid their dying cause. The Allies raid the camp where the ceremony is taking place, but not before they summon a baby demon who is rescued by Allied forces and dubbed "Hellboy". Sixty years later, Hellboy serves the cause of good rather than evil as an agent in the Bureau of Paranormal Research & Defense, along with Abe Sapien - a merman with psychic powers, and Liz Sherman - a woman with pyrokinesis, protecting America against dark forces.
Working with a moderate budget of $66.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $99.3M in global revenue (+50% profit margin).
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%)
Hellboy (2004) reveals meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Guillermo del Toro's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-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 1944 flashback: Nazi occultist Rasputin opens portal to summon apocalyptic force. Young Professor Broom and Allied forces discover the aftermath - a demon baby with a stone right hand. Establishes Hellboy's origin as something meant to destroy the world.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Rasputin returns after 60 years, resurrected by his followers. He sends Nazi assassin Kroenen to attack the BPRD. This disrupts the fragile status quo - the force that created Hellboy has returned to complete its apocalyptic mission, directly threatening Broom and everything Hellboy knows.. 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 demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Hellboy chooses to pursue Sammael (the hound of resurrection sent by Rasputin) into the subway tunnels despite orders. This active choice to engage the enemy represents his commitment to the mission and begins Act 2. He's no longer reactive - he's hunting the threat., moving from reaction to action.
At 62 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Rasputin's plan becomes clear: he needs Hellboy alive to open the portal to the Ogdru Jahad (the seven gods of chaos). False defeat - Hellboy realizes he's not just fighting evil, he IS the key to apocalypse. His very existence is the weapon. The stakes transform from external threat to internal identity crisis., 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, Professor Broom is killed by Kroenen. Hellboy's father figure, the man who saved him and gave him purpose, dies. The literal "whiff of death" and emotional devastation. Hellboy loses the person who believed he could choose to be good, leaving him vulnerable to Rasputin's manipulation about his true nature., shows 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. Final battle at Rasputin's mausoleum. Hellboy confronts Kroenen (defeating his father's killer), faces Rasputin who tries to awaken his true demonic nature. Hellboy briefly transforms when Liz is killed, horns growing, but Myers and his own will help him break free. He chooses humanity, saves the world, and revives Liz with his love., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Hellboy's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Hellboy against these established plot points, we can identify how Guillermo del Toro utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Hellboy within the fantasy genre.
Guillermo del Toro's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Guillermo del Toro films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Hellboy represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Guillermo del Toro filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional fantasy films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Conan the Barbarian and Batman Forever. For more Guillermo del Toro analyses, see Crimson Peak, Pacific Rim and Pan's Labyrinth.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
1944 flashback: Nazi occultist Rasputin opens portal to summon apocalyptic force. Young Professor Broom and Allied forces discover the aftermath - a demon baby with a stone right hand. Establishes Hellboy's origin as something meant to destroy the world.
Theme
Professor Broom tells young Hellboy: "What makes a man a man? A man like me? Is it his origins, the way things start? Or is it something else, something harder to describe?" The central question: Are we defined by our nature or our choices?
Worldbuilding
Present day introduction to adult Hellboy and the BPRD. We see his hidden life: secret agent who can't go public, his unrequited love for Liz Sherman, his relationship with father figure Broom, his friendship with Abe Sapien. He's a hero, but isolated and struggling with identity - doesn't fit in human or demon world.
Disruption
Rasputin returns after 60 years, resurrected by his followers. He sends Nazi assassin Kroenen to attack the BPRD. This disrupts the fragile status quo - the force that created Hellboy has returned to complete its apocalyptic mission, directly threatening Broom and everything Hellboy knows.
Resistance
Professor Broom debates bringing Liz Sherman back to help, knowing the danger. New agent Myers arrives as liaison/handler for Hellboy. Hellboy resists change, resists Myers, acts out. Investigation begins into Rasputin's return. Broom knows more than he reveals about the threat and Hellboy's true purpose.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Hellboy chooses to pursue Sammael (the hound of resurrection sent by Rasputin) into the subway tunnels despite orders. This active choice to engage the enemy represents his commitment to the mission and begins Act 2. He's no longer reactive - he's hunting the threat.
Premise
The "fun and games" of Hellboy being a supernatural investigator. Fighting multiplying Sammaels, exploring Rasputin's plan, developing relationship with Liz and grudging respect with Myers. Discovery that the creatures are eggs for something worse. Hellboy does what we came to see - punch monsters and be a wisecracking hero.
Midpoint
Rasputin's plan becomes clear: he needs Hellboy alive to open the portal to the Ogdru Jahad (the seven gods of chaos). False defeat - Hellboy realizes he's not just fighting evil, he IS the key to apocalypse. His very existence is the weapon. The stakes transform from external threat to internal identity crisis.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies on all fronts. Professor Broom's health failing, revealing he's dying. Rasputin's forces close in. Hellboy's relationship with Liz strained by his identity crisis. The team discovers Rasputin's location but walking into trap. Kroenen attacks BPRD directly. Everything tightens around Hellboy.
Collapse
Professor Broom is killed by Kroenen. Hellboy's father figure, the man who saved him and gave him purpose, dies. The literal "whiff of death" and emotional devastation. Hellboy loses the person who believed he could choose to be good, leaving him vulnerable to Rasputin's manipulation about his true nature.
Crisis
Hellboy grieves, drinks, contemplates his nature. Dark night of the soul where he questions everything Broom taught him. Is he really just a demon, a destroyer? Myers tries to reach him but Hellboy is lost. Liz is dying (placed in stasis after using her powers). Everything Hellboy loves is gone or dying.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Final battle at Rasputin's mausoleum. Hellboy confronts Kroenen (defeating his father's killer), faces Rasputin who tries to awaken his true demonic nature. Hellboy briefly transforms when Liz is killed, horns growing, but Myers and his own will help him break free. He chooses humanity, saves the world, and revives Liz with his love.