Logan
In 2029 the mutant population has shrunken significantly due to genetically modified plants designed to reduce mutant powers and the X-Men have disbanded. Logan, whose power to self-heal is dwindling, has surrendered himself to alcohol and now earns a living as a chauffeur. He takes care of the ailing old Professor X whom he keeps hidden away. One day, a female stranger asks Logan to drive a girl named Laura to the Canadian border. At first he refuses, but the Professor has been waiting for a long time for her to appear. Laura possesses an extraordinary fighting prowess and is in many ways like Wolverine. She is pursued by sinister figures working for a powerful corporation; this is because they made her, with Logan's DNA. A decrepit Logan is forced to ask himself if he can or even wants to put his remaining powers to good use. It would appear that in the near-future, the times in which they were able put the world to rights with razor sharp claws and telepathic powers are now over.
Despite a considerable budget of $97.0M, Logan became a massive hit, earning $619.0M worldwide—a remarkable 538% return.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 28 wins & 82 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%)
Logan (2017) reveals meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of James Mangold's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 17 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Logan wakes up in his limousine to find criminals stealing his wheels. He's aging, scarred, and weakened - a broken man working as a driver on the Mexican border, his healing factor failing him.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Gabriela, a nurse, desperately approaches Logan asking him to transport a young girl named Laura to North Dakota. Donald Pierce and his Reavers are hunting her, bringing violence directly to Logan's doorstep.. 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 33 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to The Reavers attack the hideout. Caliban is captured and the safe house is destroyed. Logan makes the active choice to take Laura and Charles on the run, abandoning his plan for the boat and accepting the mission to help the girl., moving from reaction to action.
At 69 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat X-24, Logan's clone, attacks during dinner with the Munson family. Charles is fatally stabbed by X-24. The false victory of finding temporary peace is shattered. Logan fails to protect both Charles and the innocent family, who are all killed., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 102 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Logan discovers Eden is just a place from the comics - it's not real. All hope seems lost. He tells Laura it's over and refuses to help anymore, wanting to abandon her and the other children. His capacity to care appears completely dead., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 109 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Logan fights through the Reavers and engages X-24 in brutal combat. With Laura's help, they defeat the clone and Pierce. Logan is mortally wounded but has saved the children, giving them a chance to reach freedom across the border., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Logan's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Logan against these established plot points, we can identify how James Mangold utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Logan within the action genre.
James Mangold's Structural Approach
Among the 9 James Mangold films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.5, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Logan represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete James Mangold filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more James Mangold analyses, see 3:10 to Yuma, Cop Land and Knight and Day.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Logan wakes up in his limousine to find criminals stealing his wheels. He's aging, scarred, and weakened - a broken man working as a driver on the Mexican border, his healing factor failing him.
Theme
Charles Xavier, suffering from dementia, tells Logan "someone will come along" and mentions the need to help people. This introduces the theme of redemption through sacrifice and accepting responsibility for the next generation.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the dying world: mutants are extinct, Logan cares for the demented Charles in a Mexican hideout with Caliban, working as a limo driver to buy medication and a boat to escape. The X-Men are gone.
Disruption
Gabriela, a nurse, desperately approaches Logan asking him to transport a young girl named Laura to North Dakota. Donald Pierce and his Reavers are hunting her, bringing violence directly to Logan's doorstep.
Resistance
Logan resists helping Laura, wanting only to care for Charles and escape. Gabriela is killed. Charles has a seizure that freezes everyone nearby. Logan discovers Laura has claws like him - she's a weapon created from his DNA.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The Reavers attack the hideout. Caliban is captured and the safe house is destroyed. Logan makes the active choice to take Laura and Charles on the run, abandoning his plan for the boat and accepting the mission to help the girl.
Premise
The road trip delivering the promise of the premise: Logan reluctantly protecting Laura while pursued by Pierce and the Reavers. Includes the brief respite with the Munson family, showing what a normal life could be.
Midpoint
X-24, Logan's clone, attacks during dinner with the Munson family. Charles is fatally stabbed by X-24. The false victory of finding temporary peace is shattered. Logan fails to protect both Charles and the innocent family, who are all killed.
Opposition
Logan buries Charles, devastated by guilt and loss. He and Laura continue north to Eden. Logan's wounds heal slower, he's weaker. Laura reveals her emotional connection to him. The Reavers close in, and Logan learns the truth about Eden.
Collapse
Logan discovers Eden is just a place from the comics - it's not real. All hope seems lost. He tells Laura it's over and refuses to help anymore, wanting to abandon her and the other children. His capacity to care appears completely dead.
Crisis
Logan drives away from Laura and the children in despair. But he sees Laura's footprints and the children being captured by the Reavers. He wrestles with his exhaustion, his wounds, his desire to give up versus his responsibility.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Logan fights through the Reavers and engages X-24 in brutal combat. With Laura's help, they defeat the clone and Pierce. Logan is mortally wounded but has saved the children, giving them a chance to reach freedom across the border.