Jonah Hex
Gunslinger Jonah Hex is appointed by President Ulysses Grant to track down terrorist Quentin Turnbull, a former Confederate officer determined on unleashing hell on earth. Jonah not only secures freedom by accepting this task, he also gets revenge on the man who slew his wife and child.
The film financial setback against its mid-range budget of $47.0M, earning $10.5M globally (-78% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling within the action genre.
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%)
Jonah Hex (2010) exemplifies meticulously timed plot construction, characteristic of Jimmy Hayward's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 22 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jonah Hex, a scarred Confederate bounty hunter with supernatural abilities to communicate with the dead, hunts criminals in the post-Civil War American West. He lives as a feared, solitary outlaw haunted by his past.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Union military officers approach Jonah with news that Quentin Turnbull—the man who killed his family and scarred him—is alive and planning a terrorist attack on the United States using a superweapon during the July 4th centennial.. 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.
At 40 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Jonah discovers the full extent of Turnbull's plan: a nation-destroying cannon weapon aimed at Washington D.C. During the July 4th celebration. The stakes are raised from personal revenge to saving the nation, but Turnbull captures Jonah., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 61 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Jonah is left for dead, bound and helpless as Turnbull departs to execute his attack on Washington. Lilah faces mortal danger. All seems lost as the terrorist plot moves forward unopposed., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 65 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Jonah pursues Turnbull's ship carrying the superweapon toward Washington. A climactic battle ensues involving the cannon, explosives, and hand-to-hand combat. Jonah confronts Turnbull directly, destroys the weapon, and defeats his nemesis, saving the capital., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Jonah Hex's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Jonah Hex against these established plot points, we can identify how Jimmy Hayward utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Jonah Hex within the action genre.
Jimmy Hayward's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Jimmy Hayward films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.7, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Jonah Hex exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jimmy Hayward filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Jimmy Hayward analyses, see Free Birds.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jonah Hex, a scarred Confederate bounty hunter with supernatural abilities to communicate with the dead, hunts criminals in the post-Civil War American West. He lives as a feared, solitary outlaw haunted by his past.
Theme
A military officer mentions that some men are defined by their scars and their demons, suggesting the theme of redemption versus revenge and whether a man can escape his violent past.
Worldbuilding
Flashbacks reveal Jonah's origin: his betrayal of Confederate officer Quentin Turnbull, the murder of his family as punishment, and his scarring and near-death experience that gave him powers. Present day shows him as a bounty hunter visiting prostitute Lilah and taking violent jobs.
Disruption
Union military officers approach Jonah with news that Quentin Turnbull—the man who killed his family and scarred him—is alive and planning a terrorist attack on the United States using a superweapon during the July 4th centennial.
Resistance
Jonah initially refuses the government's offer, preferring his solitary life. He debates whether to take the mission for money or revenge. He visits Lilah, gathers information, and reluctantly begins investigating Turnbull's weapons supplier and terrorist network.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Jonah uses his supernatural abilities and combat skills to track Turnbull's network. Action sequences showcase his weapons, his communication with the dead, and violent confrontations with Turnbull's henchmen as he gets closer to the superweapon and his nemesis.
Midpoint
Jonah discovers the full extent of Turnbull's plan: a nation-destroying cannon weapon aimed at Washington D.C. during the July 4th celebration. The stakes are raised from personal revenge to saving the nation, but Turnbull captures Jonah.
Opposition
Turnbull has Jonah at his mercy and explains his plan while torturing him. Lilah is captured and endangered. Turnbull's forces gain the upper hand as the clock ticks toward the attack. Jonah's quest for revenge seems doomed.
Collapse
Jonah is left for dead, bound and helpless as Turnbull departs to execute his attack on Washington. Lilah faces mortal danger. All seems lost as the terrorist plot moves forward unopposed.
Crisis
Jonah struggles against his bonds and near-death state. He confronts his darkest moment, questioning whether revenge has consumed him entirely. He must find the will to survive not just for vengeance but for a greater purpose.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Jonah pursues Turnbull's ship carrying the superweapon toward Washington. A climactic battle ensues involving the cannon, explosives, and hand-to-hand combat. Jonah confronts Turnbull directly, destroys the weapon, and defeats his nemesis, saving the capital.