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 runaway success, 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 plot construction, characteristic of James Mangold's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-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.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Logan / Wolverine
Laura / X-23
Charles Xavier / Professor X
Donald Pierce
Caliban
Dr. Zander Rice
X-24
Main Cast & Characters
Logan / Wolverine
Played by Hugh Jackman
Aging mutant with healing powers now fading, working as a limo driver while caring for the dying Charles Xavier.
Laura / X-23
Played by Dafne Keen
Young mutant clone with powers similar to Logan, escaping from a sinister research facility.
Charles Xavier / Professor X
Played by Patrick Stewart
Elderly telepathic mutant suffering from degenerative brain disease that makes his powers dangerous and uncontrollable.
Donald Pierce
Played by Boyd Holbrook
Cybernetically enhanced head of security for Alkali-Transigen, relentlessly pursuing Laura.
Caliban
Played by Stephen Merchant
Albino mutant tracker with the ability to sense other mutants, forced to help Logan care for Charles.
Dr. Zander Rice
Played by Richard E. Grant
Lead scientist at Alkali-Transigen responsible for creating the mutant children as weapons.
X-24
Played by Hugh Jackman
Feral clone of Logan in his prime, created as a perfect weapon without conscience or restraint.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Logan wakes in a car, weakened and scarred, attacked by gang members trying to steal his limo wheels. The former hero is now a broken, alcoholic driver barely surviving in 2029.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 17 minutes when Gabriela, a nurse from Alkali-Transigen, desperately approaches Logan begging him to transport a young girl (Laura) to North Dakota. Donald Pierce and Reavers pursue them, disrupting Logan's plans to hide.. 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 36 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to The Reavers attack the Mexican hideout. Logan chooses to fight alongside Laura to protect Charles, abandoning his plan to stay hidden. They escape together, committing to the journey north., moving from reaction to action.
At 69 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False victory turns to devastating defeat: After a peaceful dinner with the Munson family, X-24 (Logan's clone) attacks. Charles is fatally stabbed, the Munsons killed. Logan's hope for redemption is shattered., 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, The Reavers capture the children. Logan, poisoned and dying, initially drives away to let them face their fate. All is lost—his mentor dead, his body failing, his chance at redemption rejected by his own cowardice., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 110 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Logan injects the serum and returns to fight, fully accepting his role as protector and father. He synthesizes the berserker warrior with the caring guardian, becoming the hero Charles always believed he could be., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Logan's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. 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 11 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 Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more James Mangold analyses, see 3:10 to Yuma, Knight and Day and Identity.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Logan wakes in a car, weakened and scarred, attacked by gang members trying to steal his limo wheels. The former hero is now a broken, alcoholic driver barely surviving in 2029.
Theme
Charles Xavier tells Logan, "Someone will come along" and references the X-Men comics, hinting that legacy matters even when heroes believe they're finished.
Worldbuilding
Logan cares for dying Charles in Mexican hideout. No new mutants born in 25 years. Logan is poisoned by his adamantium skeleton, healing factor failing. He works as limo driver, saving money to buy a boat to escape with Charles.
Disruption
Gabriela, a nurse from Alkali-Transigen, desperately approaches Logan begging him to transport a young girl (Laura) to North Dakota. Donald Pierce and Reavers pursue them, disrupting Logan's plans to hide.
Resistance
Logan resists helping, wants only to escape. Gabriela is killed. Laura appears at the hideout. Charles insists she needs help. Logan debates involvement, learns she's a mutant created from his DNA. Pierce offers money for her return.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The Reavers attack the Mexican hideout. Logan chooses to fight alongside Laura to protect Charles, abandoning his plan to stay hidden. They escape together, committing to the journey north.
Mirror World
Laura reveals her powers fully, fighting with Logan's ferocity and claws. She is his legacy made flesh—the daughter he never wanted but who represents everything he could pass on. Their bond begins forming.
Premise
The unlikely family—Logan, Charles, and Laura—journey across America toward Eden. They experience moments of humanity: staying with the Munson family, Charles experiencing peace. Logan begins protecting rather than just surviving.
Midpoint
False victory turns to devastating defeat: After a peaceful dinner with the Munson family, X-24 (Logan's clone) attacks. Charles is fatally stabbed, the Munsons killed. Logan's hope for redemption is shattered.
Opposition
Logan buries Charles, grief-stricken and rage-filled. He wants to abandon Laura, but she guilts him by playing Charles's video. They reach coordinates where other children await. Logan refuses to help further, opposition intensifying.
Collapse
The Reavers capture the children. Logan, poisoned and dying, initially drives away to let them face their fate. All is lost—his mentor dead, his body failing, his chance at redemption rejected by his own cowardice.
Crisis
Logan sits in his truck, confronting who he has become versus who he could be. He takes the serum that will give him temporary strength but likely kill him. Dark night resolves into clarity: he will save them.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Logan injects the serum and returns to fight, fully accepting his role as protector and father. He synthesizes the berserker warrior with the caring guardian, becoming the hero Charles always believed he could be.
Synthesis
Logan battles the Reavers and X-24 in brutal combat. He saves the children, enabling their escape to Canada. He defeats his dark reflection (X-24) with Laura's help but is mortally wounded. Father and daughter fight together.
Transformation
Logan dies in Laura's arms. She calls him "Daddy"—the first time she's spoken to him with love. She buries him and turns the cross into an X, honoring the hero he became. The broken man found redemption through sacrifice.