Meet the Blacks
The Black family is getting out of Chicago in hopes of a better life. After Carl Black (Mike Epps) comes into some unexpected funds, he takes his family and leaves the hustling lifestyle behind for something better. Carl, his new wife Lorena (Zulay Henao), son Carl Jr., daughter Allie Black (Bresha Webb) and cousin Cronut (Lil Duval) pack up and move to Beverly Hills. Turns out, Carl couldn't have picked a worse time to move. They arrive right around the time of the annual purge, when all crime is legal for twelve hours.
Despite its minimal budget of $900K, Meet the Blacks became a box office phenomenon, earning $9.1M worldwide—a remarkable 911% return. The film's innovative storytelling engaged audiences, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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%)
Meet the Blacks (2016) demonstrates meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Deon Taylor's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 30 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Carl Black
Lorena Black
President El Bama
Freezee
Allie Black
Carl Jr.
Cronut
Key Flo
Main Cast & Characters
Carl Black
Played by Mike Epps
A con man who relocates his family to Beverly Hills after a financial windfall, only to face The Purge on their first night.
Lorena Black
Played by Zulay Henao
Carl's wife who is skeptical about their sudden move and tries to keep the family together during chaos.
President El Bama
Played by George Lopez
The parody President who announces The Purge and becomes a direct threat to the Black family.
Freezee
Played by Mike Tyson
Carl's eccentric neighbor who provides both comic relief and unexpected assistance during The Purge.
Allie Black
Played by Bresha Webb
Carl and Lorena's teenage daughter navigating typical teen concerns amidst extraordinary circumstances.
Carl Jr.
Played by Alex Henderson
The Black family's young son who reacts to the chaos with youthful innocence and confusion.
Cronut
Played by Lil Duval
Carl's cousin and partner-in-crime who follows him to Beverly Hills and brings street sensibility to their predicament.
Key Flo
Played by Andrew Bachelor
A local rapper and antagonist who has a grudge against Carl from their past dealings.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Carl Black and his family live in Chicago, struggling financially. Carl has just come into sudden money through questionable means, establishing his hustler lifestyle before the move to Beverly Hills.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when The Blacks learn that the Purge is happening that very night. The emergency broadcast announces the commencement of the annual Purge, where all crime is legal for 12 hours. The family realizes they're in danger in their new neighborhood.. 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 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to The Purge sirens sound and the night officially begins. Carl makes the decision to lock down the house and defend his family. They commit to surviving the night in Beverly Hills rather than fleeing., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat A major threat arrives that raises the stakes significantly. The most dangerous purgers yet appear, and the family realizes their defenses may not hold. What seemed manageable becomes genuinely life-threatening. False defeat., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The purgers breach the house defenses. The family is separated and in immediate mortal danger. Carl faces the consequence of his worst action, and it appears all is lost. The family's survival seems impossible., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Carl has a realization about what truly matters—his family. He finds new resolve and a plan to save them. He synthesizes his street smarts with genuine care for his loved ones, becoming the protector they need., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Meet the Blacks'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 Meet the Blacks against these established plot points, we can identify how Deon Taylor utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Meet the Blacks within the comedy genre.
Deon Taylor's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Deon Taylor films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Meet the Blacks takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Deon Taylor filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Deon Taylor analyses, see Black and Blue, The Intruder and Traffik.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Carl Black and his family live in Chicago, struggling financially. Carl has just come into sudden money through questionable means, establishing his hustler lifestyle before the move to Beverly Hills.
Theme
A character mentions that you can't run from your past and that moving to a new place won't change who you are inside, foreshadowing Carl's journey of facing his demons during the Purge.
Worldbuilding
The Black family moves from Chicago to Beverly Hills. We meet Carl, his wife Lorena, and their kids. Carl has embezzled money and is living large. The family settles into their new mansion, and we learn about the annual Purge night that's approaching.
Disruption
The Blacks learn that the Purge is happening that very night. The emergency broadcast announces the commencement of the annual Purge, where all crime is legal for 12 hours. The family realizes they're in danger in their new neighborhood.
Resistance
Carl debates whether to leave or stay. The family prepares the house for lockdown. They meet eccentric neighbors and receive warnings. Carl tries to appear confident but is clearly uncertain about how to protect his family during the Purge.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The Purge sirens sound and the night officially begins. Carl makes the decision to lock down the house and defend his family. They commit to surviving the night in Beverly Hills rather than fleeing.
Mirror World
Various people from Carl's past begin showing up at the door, representing the consequences of his actions. These encounters force Carl to confront who he's been and the relationships he's damaged, serving as the thematic mirror.
Premise
The "fun and games" of the Purge parody. A parade of characters from Carl's past arrive seeking revenge: angry neighbors, jilted lovers, people he's wronged. Each encounter is comedic but escalates the danger. The family fends off various attackers.
Midpoint
A major threat arrives that raises the stakes significantly. The most dangerous purgers yet appear, and the family realizes their defenses may not hold. What seemed manageable becomes genuinely life-threatening. False defeat.
Opposition
The attackers intensify their assault. The family's defenses begin to fail. Carl's past misdeeds catch up with him more severely. The comedy darkens as real danger closes in. Multiple threats converge on the house simultaneously.
Collapse
The purgers breach the house defenses. The family is separated and in immediate mortal danger. Carl faces the consequence of his worst action, and it appears all is lost. The family's survival seems impossible.
Crisis
Carl hits his lowest point, realizing his selfishness has endangered his family. He must confront who he's been and decide who he wants to be. Dark moment of reckoning with his choices.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Carl has a realization about what truly matters—his family. He finds new resolve and a plan to save them. He synthesizes his street smarts with genuine care for his loved ones, becoming the protector they need.
Synthesis
Carl executes a plan to defeat the purgers and save his family. Final confrontations with the antagonists. The family works together, and Carl proves he's changed. They survive until the Purge sirens signal the end. Resolution of all threats.
Transformation
Morning after the Purge. The family is together and safe. Carl is humbled and grateful, showing he's learned the value of family over money and status. A transformed man in the same house, mirroring the opening but showing growth.