Monstrum
Ancient Korea, 1506. The tyrannical King Yeonsan-gun of Joseon is overthrown by his half-brother Jung-jong, whose reign begins with a blood bath. Over the years, traitors plot against him, sinking the kingdom into chaos. In 1528, frightened rumors come to royal palace, regarding a mysterious creature, known as Monstrum by the peasants.
The film earned $5.6M at the global box office.
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%)
Monstrum (2018) exhibits strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Huh Jong-ho's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 46 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Yun Gyeom lives in exile with his family after being disgraced, working as a humble hunter in the mountains far from the capital.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when The King summons Yun Gyeom back to the capital to hunt down the mysterious creature that is killing civilians, disrupting his peaceful exile.. 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Yun Gyeom accepts the mission and enters the capital, committing to hunt the creature despite knowing he's entering a dangerous political game., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Yun Gyeom's team has a direct encounter with the creature and confirms it truly exists, but this revelation raises the stakes as the prime minister uses the creature to consolidate power through fear., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The creature attacks the palace directly, causing massive casualties. Seong-han is mortally wounded protecting Myung, and the King loses faith in Yun Gyeom's ability to stop the threat., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 82% of the runtime. Yun Gyeom discovers the creature's lair and the truth about how it's being controlled. He formulates a plan to destroy both the monster and expose the conspiracy., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Monstrum'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 Monstrum against these established plot points, we can identify how Huh Jong-ho utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Monstrum 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
Yun Gyeom lives in exile with his family after being disgraced, working as a humble hunter in the mountains far from the capital.
Theme
A court official mentions that "fear is more dangerous than any monster" - establishing the theme of how political manipulation uses fear to control people.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Joseon dynasty politics, the plague affecting the capital, Yun Gyeom's past as a military commander, his relationship with his daughter Myung, and the rumors of a creature terrorizing the city.
Disruption
The King summons Yun Gyeom back to the capital to hunt down the mysterious creature that is killing civilians, disrupting his peaceful exile.
Resistance
Yun Gyeom resists returning to court politics, debates whether to trust the King's motives, and reluctantly travels to the capital with his family and loyal companion Seong-han.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Yun Gyeom accepts the mission and enters the capital, committing to hunt the creature despite knowing he's entering a dangerous political game.
Mirror World
Yun Gyeom encounters the court physician who reveals the plague's connection to the creature sightings, representing the theme of truth versus political manipulation.
Premise
The hunt for the creature begins. Yun Gyeom investigates sightings, encounters evidence of the monster, witnesses attacks, and begins to suspect the creature may be real while uncovering political conspiracies.
Midpoint
Yun Gyeom's team has a direct encounter with the creature and confirms it truly exists, but this revelation raises the stakes as the prime minister uses the creature to consolidate power through fear.
Opposition
The prime minister's conspiracy becomes clearer as he uses the creature to create chaos. Yun Gyeom faces assassination attempts, his daughter is endangered, and he discovers the creature is being deliberately unleashed to serve political ends.
Collapse
The creature attacks the palace directly, causing massive casualties. Seong-han is mortally wounded protecting Myung, and the King loses faith in Yun Gyeom's ability to stop the threat.
Crisis
Yun Gyeom mourns Seong-han and processes his failure. He confronts his fear and guilt while the city descends into chaos and the prime minister moves to seize control.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Yun Gyeom discovers the creature's lair and the truth about how it's being controlled. He formulates a plan to destroy both the monster and expose the conspiracy.
Synthesis
The final confrontation. Yun Gyeom leads a coordinated attack on the creature while exposing the prime minister's treachery to the King. A climactic battle ensues where Yun Gyeom uses both his military skills and understanding of the conspiracy to defeat the threat.
Transformation
Yun Gyeom stands with his daughter in the restored capital, his honor vindicated. He has transformed from a disgraced exile into a hero who saved the kingdom by confronting both literal and political monsters.