Kingdom of the Spiders
Investigating the mysterious deaths of a number of farm animals, vet Rack Hansen discovers that his town lies in the path of hordes of migrating tarantulas. Before he can take action, the streets are overrun by killer spiders, trapping a small group of townsfolk in a remote hotel.
Despite its minimal budget of $500K, Kingdom of the Spiders became a box office phenomenon, earning $17.0M worldwide—a remarkable 3300% return. The film's unique voice found its audience, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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%)
Kingdom of the Spiders (1977) exemplifies deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of John "Bud" Cardos's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 37 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Dr. Robert "Rack" Hansen
Diane Ashley
Terry Hansen
Sheriff Gene Smith
Emma Washburn
Main Cast & Characters
Dr. Robert "Rack" Hansen
Played by William Shatner
A small-town veterinarian who investigates mysterious livestock deaths and discovers a deadly spider infestation threatening his community.
Diane Ashley
Played by Tiffany Bolling
An entomologist from Arizona State University who comes to investigate the spider phenomenon and becomes romantically involved with Rack.
Terry Hansen
Played by Marcy Lafferty
Rack's sister-in-law who runs the local lodge and cares for her young daughter while dealing with the escalating spider crisis.
Sheriff Gene Smith
Played by David McLean
The local sheriff who initially doubts the severity of the spider threat but must help protect the townspeople.
Emma Washburn
Played by Lieux Dressler
A local rancher whose cattle mysteriously die, triggering the initial investigation into the spider problem.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Veterinarian Rack Hansen tends to livestock in rural Verde Valley, Arizona, establishing his role as the town's trusted animal doctor and local charmer.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when A prize calf dies mysteriously on the Colby ranch despite appearing healthy, and conventional diagnosis fails to explain the death, prompting Rack to send samples for analysis.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to After more livestock deaths and discovering a hillside covered with tarantulas, Rack accepts the spider threat is real and commits to working with Diane to investigate the phenomenon., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Spiders attack during the county fair, killing multiple people in public and transforming the threat from isolated rural problem to open community crisis., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Sheriff Smith dies from spider bites while trying to protect others, and the survivors realize they are completely trapped with no help coming and dwindling options., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Rack realizes they must survive the night and protect the children at all costs, shifting from escape attempts to determined last stand defense., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Kingdom of the Spiders's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Kingdom of the Spiders against these established plot points, we can identify how John "Bud" Cardos utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Kingdom of the Spiders within the horror genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Thinner, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Mary Reilly.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Veterinarian Rack Hansen tends to livestock in rural Verde Valley, Arizona, establishing his role as the town's trusted animal doctor and local charmer.
Theme
Discussion about the unnatural behavior of animals and the disruption of nature's balance hints at humanity's precarious relationship with the natural world.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Verde Valley community, Rack's relationship with townspeople, his flirtation with Diane Ashley, and establishment of the agricultural setting dependent on livestock.
Disruption
A prize calf dies mysteriously on the Colby ranch despite appearing healthy, and conventional diagnosis fails to explain the death, prompting Rack to send samples for analysis.
Resistance
Entomologist Diane Ashley arrives to investigate, discovers massive spider venom in the calf, and tries to convince skeptical Rack that tarantulas are hunting in packs, defying natural behavior.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
After more livestock deaths and discovering a hillside covered with tarantulas, Rack accepts the spider threat is real and commits to working with Diane to investigate the phenomenon.
Mirror World
Rack and Diane's partnership deepens as they investigate together, with their professional relationship beginning to carry romantic undertones and mutual respect.
Premise
Investigation into the spider phenomenon escalates with more deaths, discovery of pesticide-driven ecological imbalance, failed attempts to alert authorities, and increasing spider aggression threatening the community.
Midpoint
Spiders attack during the county fair, killing multiple people in public and transforming the threat from isolated rural problem to open community crisis.
Opposition
The town comes under siege as spider attacks intensify, communication lines are cut, escape routes are blocked, and survivors are forced to barricade themselves in the lodge as spiders cover the entire town.
Collapse
Sheriff Smith dies from spider bites while trying to protect others, and the survivors realize they are completely trapped with no help coming and dwindling options.
Crisis
Survivors huddle in darkness as spiders infiltrate the lodge, facing the seeming inevitability of death and the failure of human civilization against nature's retribution.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Rack realizes they must survive the night and protect the children at all costs, shifting from escape attempts to determined last stand defense.
Synthesis
Survivors fight through the spider-infested lodge to reach safety, barricading themselves in the basement and using fire to hold off the spiders through the night.
Transformation
Dawn reveals the entire town encased in spider webs, with no rescue in sight, showing nature has reclaimed the territory and humanity's defeat is complete.