It Chapter Two
27 years after overcoming the malevolent supernatural entity Pennywise, the former members of the Losers' Club, who have grown up and moved away from Derry, are brought back together by a devastating phone call.
Despite a substantial budget of $79.0M, It Chapter Two became a financial success, earning $473.1M worldwide—a 499% return.
7 wins & 34 nominations
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%)
It Chapter Two (2019) demonstrates strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of Andy Muschietti's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 49 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Adrian Mellon and Don Hagarty at the carnival, showing Derry's surface normalcy before violence erupts. Establishes the adult world 27 years after the first film.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 20 minutes when Mike calls each member of the Losers' Club to tell them IT has returned to Derry. The phone calls shatter their adult lives and trigger fragmented, terrifying memories of their childhood oath.. 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 43 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to After the terrifying fortune cookie attack and learning of Stan's death, the Losers make the active choice to stay in Derry and fight IT, despite their fear. They commit to the ritual that requires retrieving tokens from their past., moving from reaction to action.
At 85 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Bill fails to save young Dean from Pennywise at the carnival funhouse, mirroring his failure with Georgie. This false defeat raises the stakes and proves they can't save everyone, intensifying their mission., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 126 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The ritual of Chüd fails completely. Mike admits he lied about the ritual's success. The Losers turn on each other in rage and despair. Eddie storms out, the group splinters, and all seems lost - their only plan has failed., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 134 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Mike realizes the true weapon: the Losers defeated IT as children by believing they could, by standing together. Bill rallies the group with the truth that their unity and belief are the real power. They choose to enter IT's lair together., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
It Chapter Two's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping It Chapter Two against these established plot points, we can identify how Andy Muschietti utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish It Chapter Two within the horror genre.
Andy Muschietti's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Andy Muschietti films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. It Chapter Two takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Andy Muschietti filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye. For more Andy Muschietti analyses, see The Flash, Mama.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Adrian Mellon and Don Hagarty at the carnival, showing Derry's surface normalcy before violence erupts. Establishes the adult world 27 years after the first film.
Theme
After Adrian's murder, the hate crime reveals Derry's continued cycle of violence and fear. The theme emerges: evil returns when forgotten, and only by remembering can it be defeated.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the adult Losers in their separate lives: Bill as a successful author, Beverly in an abusive marriage, Ben as a slim architect, Richie as a comedian, Eddie in his neurotic life, and Mike still in Derry. They've forgotten their childhood trauma.
Disruption
Mike calls each member of the Losers' Club to tell them IT has returned to Derry. The phone calls shatter their adult lives and trigger fragmented, terrifying memories of their childhood oath.
Resistance
The Losers debate returning to Derry. Most come back reluctantly, struggling with recovered memories. They reunite at the Chinese restaurant where Mike explains IT's cycle and the ritual of Chüd. Stan's suicide reveals the cost of remembering.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
After the terrifying fortune cookie attack and learning of Stan's death, the Losers make the active choice to stay in Derry and fight IT, despite their fear. They commit to the ritual that requires retrieving tokens from their past.
Mirror World
Bill reconnects with young Dean at the carnival, symbolizing his chance to save a child (unlike his failure with Georgie). Introduces the thematic mirror: the adult Losers must protect the next generation.
Premise
The Losers split up to retrieve their childhood tokens, each facing personalized manifestations of IT that exploit their deepest fears. Flashbacks reveal missing memories from 1989. Beverly and Ben's connection deepens; Bill pursues Dean.
Midpoint
Bill fails to save young Dean from Pennywise at the carnival funhouse, mirroring his failure with Georgie. This false defeat raises the stakes and proves they can't save everyone, intensifying their mission.
Opposition
The Losers regroup and discover the ritual of Chüd requires burning their tokens. IT's attacks intensify - Beverly is captured and shown a vision of their deaths. The group's unity fractures as Bill's leadership is questioned and their fears mount.
Collapse
The ritual of Chüd fails completely. Mike admits he lied about the ritual's success. The Losers turn on each other in rage and despair. Eddie storms out, the group splinters, and all seems lost - their only plan has failed.
Crisis
The Losers separate in defeat and darkness. Beverly is trapped in IT's lair, reliving her abusive past. Bill faces his guilt over Georgie. Each confronts their deepest shame and the certainty of death.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Mike realizes the true weapon: the Losers defeated IT as children by believing they could, by standing together. Bill rallies the group with the truth that their unity and belief are the real power. They choose to enter IT's lair together.
Synthesis
The final confrontation in IT's lair beneath Derry. The Losers face their fears, make IT small through ridicule and unified belief, and destroy the entity. Eddie sacrifices himself. They escape as Derry collapses, finally free from IT's curse.
Transformation
The surviving Losers leave Derry together, finally able to remember their childhood friendship without fear. Bill lets go of Georgie's memory, finding peace. The closing image shows their bond preserved, trauma confronted, cycle broken.