Major Grom: Plague Doctor
In present day St. Petersburg, police major Igor Grom, an honest and skilled cop with unconventional methods, pursues a vigilante murderer in the mask of a plague doctor.
The film commercial failure against its tight budget of $10.0M, earning $4.5M globally (-55% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its fresh perspective within the action genre.
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%)
Major Grom: Plague Doctor (2021) showcases precise plot construction, characteristic of Oleg Trofim's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 16 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Major Igor Grom is introduced as a legendary St. Petersburg police detective, known for his unwavering dedication to justice and his exceptional ability to catch criminals through both intellect and physical prowess.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 17 minutes when The Plague Doctor vigilante appears, executing a corrupt businessman who escaped legal justice. The masked killer livestreams the murder, declaring war on the corrupt elite and gaining massive public support.. 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 34 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Grom commits to stopping the Plague Doctor at any cost after another public execution. He chooses to hunt the vigilante despite losing public support and facing pressure from both the wealthy elite and common citizens., moving from reaction to action.
At 68 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Grom discovers the Plague Doctor is Sergey Razumovsky himself, the beloved philanthropist. The revelation is a false defeat—the villain has wealth, public support, and power, making him seemingly untouchable., 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, Grom is framed for murder and arrested. Stripped of his badge and imprisoned, he hits rock bottom. His reputation is destroyed, his partner Dima is injured, and the Plague Doctor prepares his final, devastating plan., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 109 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Grom escapes with help from allies who still believe in him. He synthesizes his by-the-book justice with Dima's idealistic heroism, realizing he must stop Razumovsky outside the system to save the system itself., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Major Grom: Plague Doctor's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Major Grom: Plague Doctor against these established plot points, we can identify how Oleg Trofim utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Major Grom: Plague Doctor within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Major Igor Grom is introduced as a legendary St. Petersburg police detective, known for his unwavering dedication to justice and his exceptional ability to catch criminals through both intellect and physical prowess.
Theme
A character discusses how the system protects the wealthy and powerful while ordinary people suffer, introducing the central question: Can true justice exist within a corrupt system, or must it come from outside?
Worldbuilding
Establishing St. Petersburg's social divide between the ultra-wealthy elite and struggling citizens. Introduction of oligarch Sergey Razumovsky, journalist Yulia Pchelkina, and the corrupt power structures Grom operates within.
Disruption
The Plague Doctor vigilante appears, executing a corrupt businessman who escaped legal justice. The masked killer livestreams the murder, declaring war on the corrupt elite and gaining massive public support.
Resistance
Grom investigates the Plague Doctor case while resisting public sentiment that supports the vigilante. He debates with colleagues and citizens who see the killer as a hero, while Grom insists no one is above the law.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Grom commits to stopping the Plague Doctor at any cost after another public execution. He chooses to hunt the vigilante despite losing public support and facing pressure from both the wealthy elite and common citizens.
Mirror World
Grom partners with comic book geek Dima Dubin, whose idealistic view of heroism and justice contrasts with Grom's pragmatic by-the-book approach. Their relationship explores what it truly means to be a hero.
Premise
Grom and Dima investigate the Plague Doctor's identity, following clues through St. Petersburg's underworld and high society. Action sequences showcase Grom's detective skills and combat abilities as they get closer to the truth.
Midpoint
Grom discovers the Plague Doctor is Sergey Razumovsky himself, the beloved philanthropist. The revelation is a false defeat—the villain has wealth, public support, and power, making him seemingly untouchable.
Opposition
Razumovsky's conspiracy deepens. Grom faces opposition from all sides: corrupt officials protect Razumovsky, the public loves the Plague Doctor, and Grom's own department turns against him. The villain stays ahead at every turn.
Collapse
Grom is framed for murder and arrested. Stripped of his badge and imprisoned, he hits rock bottom. His reputation is destroyed, his partner Dima is injured, and the Plague Doctor prepares his final, devastating plan.
Crisis
In custody, Grom faces his darkest moment, questioning whether his rigid adherence to law has been naive. He processes his failure while Razumovsky's plan to execute multiple targets unfolds.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Grom escapes with help from allies who still believe in him. He synthesizes his by-the-book justice with Dima's idealistic heroism, realizing he must stop Razumovsky outside the system to save the system itself.
Synthesis
Grom storms Razumovsky's compound to stop the mass execution. Epic final battle where Grom uses both his detective mind and fighting skills, ultimately defeating the Plague Doctor and exposing his true murderous nature to the public.
Transformation
Grom stands vindicated but changed. He remains committed to justice through law, but now understands the system's flaws and the need for heroes who inspire rather than merely enforce. He's a more complete hero.