Jumanji: The Next Level
The gang is back but the game has changed. As they return to Jumanji to rescue one of their own, they discover that nothing is as they expect. The players will have to brave parts unknown and unexplored, from the arid deserts to the snowy mountains, in order to escape the world's most dangerous game.
Despite a substantial budget of $125.0M, Jumanji: The Next Level became a massive hit, earning $801.7M worldwide—a remarkable 541% return.
2 wins & 10 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%)
Jumanji: The Next Level (2019) showcases precise story structure, characteristic of Jake Kasdan's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 3 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Spencer struggles with college life, feeling inadequate and missing the confidence he had as Dr. Bravestone in Jumanji. He's isolated in his dorm room, disconnected from his friends.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Spencer disappears. His friends discover he's repaired the broken Jumanji game and gone back in alone, seeking to recapture his avatar's confidence and escape his real-world insecurities.. 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to The group is pulled into Jumanji, but the avatar assignments are scrambled. Fridge becomes Dr. Bravestone, Eddie becomes Smolder, Martha stays as Ruby, and Milo becomes Mouse. Bethany is missing, and Spencer is nowhere to be found., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 91 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Milo sacrifices his last life to save Eddie from Jurgen's soldiers, apparently dying. Eddie is devastated, losing his oldest friend just as they'd reconciled. The team is scattered, defeated, and the mission seems impossible., demonstrates 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. The team executes a coordinated assault on Jurgen using their optimized avatars and newfound unity. They defeat Jurgen, return the jewel, and complete the quest. Milo returns as a flying horse NPC, having become part of Jumanji to continue living. The friends escape back to reality., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Jumanji: The Next Level's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Jumanji: The Next Level against these established plot points, we can identify how Jake Kasdan utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Jumanji: The Next Level within the action genre.
Jake Kasdan's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Jake Kasdan films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Jumanji: The Next Level takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jake Kasdan filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Jake Kasdan analyses, see Sex Tape, Bad Teacher and Orange County.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Spencer struggles with college life, feeling inadequate and missing the confidence he had as Dr. Bravestone in Jumanji. He's isolated in his dorm room, disconnected from his friends.
Theme
During the reunion, Martha tells Spencer "You're still the same person you were in the game." The theme: true strength comes from within, not from external avatars or circumstances.
Worldbuilding
The gang reunites for Christmas break. Spencer is distant and struggling. We see the group dynamics have changed since their first Jumanji adventure. Spencer's grandfather Eddie and his former partner Milo are introduced, establishing their fractured friendship.
Disruption
Spencer disappears. His friends discover he's repaired the broken Jumanji game and gone back in alone, seeking to recapture his avatar's confidence and escape his real-world insecurities.
Resistance
Martha, Fridge, and Bethany debate whether to go back into the game to rescue Spencer. Eddie and Milo accidentally get sucked in as well. The friends prepare mentally for the danger ahead, knowing the stakes are real.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The group is pulled into Jumanji, but the avatar assignments are scrambled. Fridge becomes Dr. Bravestone, Eddie becomes Smolder, Martha stays as Ruby, and Milo becomes Mouse. Bethany is missing, and Spencer is nowhere to be found.
Mirror World
Eddie and Milo's broken friendship mirrors Spencer's internal conflict. Their bickering and old grudges reflect the theme that unresolved past issues prevent growth. They must learn to work together despite their history.
Premise
The gang navigates the new Jumanji terrain dealing with mismatched avatars. Eddie and Milo learn the game mechanics. They cross deserts and dunes, face new challenges, and search for Spencer while pursuing the quest to save Jumanji from Jurgen the Brutal.
Opposition
The team attempts to steal the jewel from Jurgen's fortress. Spencer struggles in his weak avatar. Eddie and Milo's conflict escalates, threatening the mission. Jurgen's forces close in. The group faces betrayals, difficult obstacles, and near-failures.
Collapse
Milo sacrifices his last life to save Eddie from Jurgen's soldiers, apparently dying. Eddie is devastated, losing his oldest friend just as they'd reconciled. The team is scattered, defeated, and the mission seems impossible.
Crisis
Eddie mourns Milo. Spencer confronts his insecurity, realizing he doesn't need the game to be brave. The group processes their loss and near-defeat, finding resolve to honor Milo's sacrifice by completing the mission together.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The team executes a coordinated assault on Jurgen using their optimized avatars and newfound unity. They defeat Jurgen, return the jewel, and complete the quest. Milo returns as a flying horse NPC, having become part of Jumanji to continue living. The friends escape back to reality.