Leprechaun 2
On his 1000th birthday, a mean Leprechaun gets to choose a bride by making her sneeze three times, then she's his...only the bride he chooses is the daughter of his slave (who fouls up the wedding) so Leprechaun must wait until his 2000th birthday to claim the woman of his nightmares. The descendant of the woman he wanted to marry already has a boyfriend: a brave young boy named Cody, who lives with his swindler uncle Morty and together they run a tour company called Darkside Tours. Leprechaun soon wakes up, kills a bunch of people and kidnaps his bride to be. It's soon up to Cody to save her, and only wrought iron can destroy a Leprechaun. Morty has an idea, but it soon goes horribly wrong when he gets too greedy. Cody ventures into Leprechaun's home to save Bridget, but little does he know that a leprechaun's home has many surprises.
Working with a limited budget of $2.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $2.3M in global revenue (+15% profit margin).
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%)
Leprechaun 2 (1994) reveals strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Rodman Flender's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 25 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 1000 years ago in Ireland: The Leprechaun attempts to claim his bride but is thwarted when she sneezes three times, breaking his spell. He vows revenge in a thousand years.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when The Leprechaun emerges on the 1000th anniversary of his failed marriage attempt, immediately killing Morty and setting his sights on claiming Bridget as his bride before the final night of his claiming period ends.. 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 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to The Leprechaun successfully abducts Bridget. Cody makes the active choice to pursue them into the Leprechaun's supernatural world to save her, fully committing to the battle against the creature., moving from reaction to action.
At 43 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat The Leprechaun completes part of his wedding ritual with Bridget. False defeat: Cody loses track of them and Bridget falls deeper under the spell, appearing to willingly accept becoming the Leprechaun's bride., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 63 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Cody is captured and tortured by the Leprechaun. All seems lost as the wedding ceremony begins and Bridget, fully entranced, appears ready to marry the creature. Cody is helpless to stop it., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 68 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Cody breaks free and remembers the key: if Bridget sneezes three times before saying "I do," the spell will be broken. He synthesizes everything he's learned and launches his final plan., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Leprechaun 2'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 Leprechaun 2 against these established plot points, we can identify how Rodman Flender utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Leprechaun 2 within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
1000 years ago in Ireland: The Leprechaun attempts to claim his bride but is thwarted when she sneezes three times, breaking his spell. He vows revenge in a thousand years.
Theme
Morty tells Cody about the legend of the Leprechaun claiming a bride, establishing the theme of obsessive desire and the danger of getting what you wish for.
Worldbuilding
Modern-day Los Angeles: Cody runs a Hollywood ghost tour business with his alcoholic uncle Morty. We meet Bridget, a beautiful tourist, and establish Cody's ordinary world of struggling to make ends meet while caring for his troubled uncle.
Disruption
The Leprechaun emerges on the 1000th anniversary of his failed marriage attempt, immediately killing Morty and setting his sights on claiming Bridget as his bride before the final night of his claiming period ends.
Resistance
Cody discovers his uncle's body and the Leprechaun's presence. He initially struggles to believe the supernatural threat is real while trying to protect Bridget, who becomes increasingly entranced by the Leprechaun's magic.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The Leprechaun successfully abducts Bridget. Cody makes the active choice to pursue them into the Leprechaun's supernatural world to save her, fully committing to the battle against the creature.
Mirror World
Cody's relationship with Bridget deepens as he fights to save her. She represents the genuine love and selflessness that contrasts with the Leprechaun's possessive obsession.
Premise
The cat-and-mouse game between Cody and the Leprechaun. Cody uses iron (the Leprechaun's weakness) and various tricks to track and fight the creature while the Leprechaun toys with him, demonstrating his magical powers and murderous nature.
Midpoint
The Leprechaun completes part of his wedding ritual with Bridget. False defeat: Cody loses track of them and Bridget falls deeper under the spell, appearing to willingly accept becoming the Leprechaun's bride.
Opposition
The Leprechaun grows more powerful and confident as the deadline approaches. Cody becomes increasingly desperate, his attempts to rescue Bridget repeatedly failing. The body count rises as the Leprechaun eliminates anyone who interferes.
Collapse
Cody is captured and tortured by the Leprechaun. All seems lost as the wedding ceremony begins and Bridget, fully entranced, appears ready to marry the creature. Cody is helpless to stop it.
Crisis
Cody's darkest moment as he watches the ceremony proceed. He must find the inner strength and remember what he learned about the Leprechaun's weaknesses to have any chance of saving Bridget.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Cody breaks free and remembers the key: if Bridget sneezes three times before saying "I do," the spell will be broken. He synthesizes everything he's learned and launches his final plan.
Synthesis
The final confrontation. Cody makes Bridget sneeze, breaking the spell. The climactic battle ensues as Cody uses iron and eventually destroys the Leprechaun by exploiting his weaknesses, saving Bridget and himself.
Transformation
Cody and Bridget embrace, both transformed by the ordeal. Cody has grown from a cynical tour guide into a genuine hero who fought for love. They've survived the nightmare together, bonded by their shared trauma.