Jurassic World Dominion
Four years after the destruction of Isla Nublar, dinosaurs now live--and hunt--alongside humans all over the world. This fragile balance will reshape the future and determine, once and for all, whether human beings are to remain the apex predators on a planet they now share with history's most fearsome creatures.
Working with a major studio investment of $583.9M, the film achieved a steady performer with $1004.0M in global revenue (+72% profit margin).
1 win & 25 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%)
Jurassic World Dominion (2022) reveals meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Colin Trevorrow's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 27 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Newsreel montage establishes the new world: dinosaurs now coexist with humans across the globe, integrated into everyday life. Shows both wonder and danger of this new normal.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 17 minutes when Maise and Beta (Blue's baby raptor) are kidnapped by mercenaries working for Biosyn. Owen and Claire's protected world is shattered.. At 11% 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 36 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Owen and Claire actively choose to enter Biosyn's sanctuary in the Dolomite Mountains. Separately, Ellie and Alan accept Ian Malcolm's invitation to enter the same facility. Both groups cross into the new world., moving from reaction to action.
At 73 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False defeat: Ellie and Alan are caught stealing locust DNA evidence. Owen and Claire find Maise but are also captured by Biosyn security. Dr. Dodgson (Biosyn CEO) reveals he knows everything and has control. Stakes raised dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 108 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Biosyn facility catches fire from the out-of-control locusts. Chaos erupts as dinosaurs escape into the burning compound. The group is scattered and trapped with dinosaurs hunting them. Whiff of death: multiple near-death encounters, especially the Therizinosaurus attack., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 118 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Synthesis moment: The two groups unite and discover that working together (old and new generations, humans and dinosaurs) is the only way forward. Wu provides the genetic solution to save both Maise and the dinosaurs. They choose cooperation over control., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Jurassic World Dominion's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Jurassic World Dominion against these established plot points, we can identify how Colin Trevorrow utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Jurassic World Dominion within the action genre.
Colin Trevorrow's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Colin Trevorrow films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Jurassic World Dominion represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Colin Trevorrow filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Colin Trevorrow analyses, see Jurassic World, Safety Not Guaranteed and The Book of Henry.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Newsreel montage establishes the new world: dinosaurs now coexist with humans across the globe, integrated into everyday life. Shows both wonder and danger of this new normal.
Theme
Claire states the theme while protecting dinosaurs: "We're not meant to play God. We have to let them go." The question of coexistence, control, and humanity's relationship with nature.
Worldbuilding
Establishes Owen and Claire living off-grid protecting young Maise, who is revealed to be a clone. Introduction of illegal dinosaur trafficking. Ellie investigates giant locusts destroying crops. Alan Grant is introduced. Biosyn corporation introduced as collecting dinosaurs.
Disruption
Maise and Beta (Blue's baby raptor) are kidnapped by mercenaries working for Biosyn. Owen and Claire's protected world is shattered.
Resistance
Owen and Claire debate how to rescue Maise. They connect with Barry and Franklin who help them track the kidnapping to Biosyn. Parallel story: Ellie convinces Alan to join her investigation of the locusts, suspecting Biosyn. Both groups prepare to infiltrate Biosyn's sanctuary.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Owen and Claire actively choose to enter Biosyn's sanctuary in the Dolomite Mountains. Separately, Ellie and Alan accept Ian Malcolm's invitation to enter the same facility. Both groups cross into the new world.
Mirror World
Ian Malcolm appears as the thematic mirror, now working inside Biosyn. He represents the cautionary voice about corporate control of nature and genetic power, echoing the original film's warnings.
Premise
The promise of the premise: seeing the Biosyn sanctuary filled with dinosaurs from all eras. Owen and Claire navigate the black market and pursue Maise. Ellie and Alan explore the high-tech facility and investigate the locusts. Discovery that Maise is a clone of Benjamin Lockwood's daughter. Introduction of Dr. Henry Wu's guilt and desire for redemption.
Midpoint
False defeat: Ellie and Alan are caught stealing locust DNA evidence. Owen and Claire find Maise but are also captured by Biosyn security. Dr. Dodgson (Biosyn CEO) reveals he knows everything and has control. Stakes raised dramatically.
Opposition
Dodgson tightens his grip, planning to kill the witnesses. The engineered locusts are revealed as Biosyn's plot to control world food supply. Wu reveals Maise's mother created the cure to the genetic diseases. The group is separated and hunted. Dinosaurs begin escaping containment as systems fail.
Collapse
The Biosyn facility catches fire from the out-of-control locusts. Chaos erupts as dinosaurs escape into the burning compound. The group is scattered and trapped with dinosaurs hunting them. Whiff of death: multiple near-death encounters, especially the Therizinosaurus attack.
Crisis
The darkest moment as the facility burns and dinosaurs attack from all sides. The group must process their fear and find new resolve. Wu chooses redemption by helping save Maise and Beta. They realize they must work together to survive.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Synthesis moment: The two groups unite and discover that working together (old and new generations, humans and dinosaurs) is the only way forward. Wu provides the genetic solution to save both Maise and the dinosaurs. They choose cooperation over control.
Synthesis
The finale: escaping the burning facility while protecting each other and the dinosaurs. Claire and Owen save Maise. Ellie and Alan secure the locust evidence. Wu sacrifices his life's work to fix his mistakes. Dodgson is killed by dinosaurs (poetic justice). The Giganotosaurus vs T-Rex battle with human survival intertwined. Successful escape with evidence to expose Biosyn.
Transformation
Final image mirrors opening: humans and dinosaurs coexisting, but now with wisdom rather than control. Owen, Claire, and Maise are a family. The world learns to share the planet. Ellie and Alan together. The transformation from "playing God" to accepting coexistence.