Krampus
When his dysfunctional family clashes over the holidays, young Max is disillusioned and turns his back on Christmas. Little does he know, this lack of festive spirit has unleashed the wrath of Krampus: a demonic force of ancient evil intent on punishing non-believers.
Despite a respectable budget of $15.0M, Krampus became a financial success, earning $61.8M worldwide—a 312% return.
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%)
Krampus (2015) exemplifies strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Michael Dougherty's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 38 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Max's school Christmas pageant devolves into chaos as children fight and parents argue, establishing a cynical view of the holiday season and family dysfunction.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Max is humiliated when his cousins read his letter to Santa aloud at dinner, mocking his belief. In rage and despair, he tears up the letter and throws it out the window into a gathering storm.. 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 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to The family witnesses their neighbor being dragged under the snow by an unseen force. They realize something monstrous is hunting them, and they choose to barricade themselves inside the house to survive., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Howie Jr. Is captured and dragged up the chimney by Krampus's helpers. The family realizes they cannot simply hide—they must fight back or lose everyone. The stakes escalate from survival to rescue., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 73 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Tom sacrifices himself to the Dark Elves to save his daughter Beth. Omi is taken by Krampus. Max is left alone, having lost his entire family to the monster he summoned., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Max is thrown into the underworld but awakens on Christmas morning with his family intact and happy. They discover they all share the same nightmare memory. Finding the Krampus bell, they realize they're being watched—trapped in a snow globe in Krampus's lair., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Krampus's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Krampus against these established plot points, we can identify how Michael Dougherty utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Krampus within the horror genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Max's school Christmas pageant devolves into chaos as children fight and parents argue, establishing a cynical view of the holiday season and family dysfunction.
Theme
Omi warns Max that "Christmas is not about what you get, it's about what you give," establishing the theme of genuine belief and family unity versus materialism and cynicism.
Worldbuilding
The Engel family prepares for Christmas as dysfunctional relatives arrive. Max still believes in Santa while his family grows increasingly cynical. Tensions rise between Tom's and Sarah's families, with competing values about Christmas and family.
Disruption
Max is humiliated when his cousins read his letter to Santa aloud at dinner, mocking his belief. In rage and despair, he tears up the letter and throws it out the window into a gathering storm.
Resistance
Strange events begin: the power goes out, the neighborhood goes dark, and an unnatural blizzard traps everyone. Omi recognizes the signs but the family dismisses the supernatural warnings. They debate whether to investigate or stay inside.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The family witnesses their neighbor being dragged under the snow by an unseen force. They realize something monstrous is hunting them, and they choose to barricade themselves inside the house to survive.
Mirror World
Omi reveals her childhood encounter with Krampus: she lost her family when they lost their Christmas spirit during wartime. Her story serves as a mirror to Max's situation, teaching the cost of losing faith and family unity.
Premise
The family experiences the horror they came for: battling evil gingerbread men, demonic toys, and Krampus's helpers. They work together to fight off supernatural attacks while learning about the legend and trying to survive the siege.
Midpoint
Howie Jr. is captured and dragged up the chimney by Krampus's helpers. The family realizes they cannot simply hide—they must fight back or lose everyone. The stakes escalate from survival to rescue.
Opposition
The family fights desperately against increasingly deadly attacks. Characters are picked off one by one: Jordan falls through ice, Howard and Linda are taken by Krampus's elves, and the family splinters under pressure and fear.
Collapse
Tom sacrifices himself to the Dark Elves to save his daughter Beth. Omi is taken by Krampus. Max is left alone, having lost his entire family to the monster he summoned.
Crisis
Max faces Krampus alone in the snow-covered street, confronting the darkness he unleashed. He realizes his wish destroyed his family and processes his devastating loss and guilt.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Max is thrown into the underworld but awakens on Christmas morning with his family intact and happy. They discover they all share the same nightmare memory. Finding the Krampus bell, they realize they're being watched—trapped in a snow globe in Krampus's lair.
Transformation
The camera pulls back to reveal the family trapped in a snow globe among thousands of others in Krampus's collection, suggesting their redemption is conditional—they must maintain their unity and Christmas spirit forever or face eternal punishment.