Mortal Engines
Many thousands of years in the future, Earth’s cities roam the globe on huge wheels, devouring each other in a struggle for ever diminishing resources. On one of these massive traction cities, the old London, Tom Natsworthy has an unexpected encounter with a mysterious young woman from the wastelands who will change the course of his life forever.
The film struggled financially against its substantial budget of $100.0M, earning $83.9M globally (-16% loss).
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%)
Mortal Engines (2018) showcases deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Christian Rivers's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 8 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Opening image of London as a massive predator city hunting across the wastelands of a post-apocalyptic Earth, establishing the world of Municipal Darwinism where cities consume each other for resources.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Hester Shaw attacks Valentine in the Gut, revealing he murdered her mother. Tom intervenes but Valentine pushes them both off the city. The attempt on Valentine's life disrupts Tom's comfortable existence.. 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 32 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Tom chooses to actively help Hester reach Airhaven to pursue her mission against Valentine, rather than seeking his own way back to London. He commits to her journey and crosses into the adventure., moving from reaction to action.
At 64 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Valentine successfully activates MEDUSA and destroys the Shield Wall protecting the Anti-Traction settlements. What seemed like a chance to stop him becomes a devastating defeat. The stakes escalate enormously and time runs out., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 96 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Anna Fang is killed by Shrike during the assault on London. The mentor figure dies, representing the whiff of death. The heroes' hope of stopping Valentine seems lost, and Hester faces her worst moment., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 103 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Hester gains new resolve from Anna's sacrifice and chooses to stop Valentine no matter the cost. Katherine chooses to betray her father. The heroes synthesize their knowledge of MEDUSA's location and Valentine's weakness (his love for Katherine) for the final assault., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Mortal Engines'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 Mortal Engines against these established plot points, we can identify how Christian Rivers utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Mortal Engines within the adventure genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Opening image of London as a massive predator city hunting across the wastelands of a post-apocalyptic Earth, establishing the world of Municipal Darwinism where cities consume each other for resources.
Theme
Valentine speaks to Tom about using the past to build the future, establishing the film's central theme about whether humanity should resurrect old weapons and old ways, or forge a new path forward.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to life aboard London: Tom works in the Museum, we meet Valentine as the city's celebrated archaeologist and his daughter Katherine, London captures the mining town of Salzhaken, and the Traction Era's rules are established.
Disruption
Hester Shaw attacks Valentine in the Gut, revealing he murdered her mother. Tom intervenes but Valentine pushes them both off the city. The attempt on Valentine's life disrupts Tom's comfortable existence.
Resistance
Tom and Hester struggle to survive in the Out-Country. Tom wants to get back to London while Hester wants revenge. They're captured by slavers, sold, and eventually escape. Tom debates whether to help Hester or find his own way home.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Tom chooses to actively help Hester reach Airhaven to pursue her mission against Valentine, rather than seeking his own way back to London. He commits to her journey and crosses into the adventure.
Mirror World
Tom and Hester arrive at Airhaven, a neutral trading platform, where they meet Anna Fang, an Anti-Traction League operative. Anna represents the alternative worldview that cities don't have to be predators, embodying the thematic counterpoint.
Premise
The adventure promised by the premise: Tom and Hester journey with Anna, discover Valentine is rebuilding MEDUSA (an ancient weapon), Katherine investigates her father on London, and the heroes infiltrate London to stop Valentine's plan.
Midpoint
Valentine successfully activates MEDUSA and destroys the Shield Wall protecting the Anti-Traction settlements. What seemed like a chance to stop him becomes a devastating defeat. The stakes escalate enormously and time runs out.
Opposition
London advances toward the vulnerable static settlements of the East. Valentine consolidates power and plans genocide. Katherine discovers her father killed her mother. The heroes' attempts to stop MEDUSA face increasing obstacles. Shrike hunts Hester relentlessly.
Collapse
Anna Fang is killed by Shrike during the assault on London. The mentor figure dies, representing the whiff of death. The heroes' hope of stopping Valentine seems lost, and Hester faces her worst moment.
Crisis
Hester grieves Anna and confronts Shrike about her past. She processes the loss and her relationship with her resurrected guardian. Tom and Katherine separately grapple with Valentine's betrayal and the scope of destruction.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Hester gains new resolve from Anna's sacrifice and chooses to stop Valentine no matter the cost. Katherine chooses to betray her father. The heroes synthesize their knowledge of MEDUSA's location and Valentine's weakness (his love for Katherine) for the final assault.
Synthesis
The finale: heroes and Anti-Traction forces assault London, Tom and Hester reach St. Paul's Cathedral to destroy MEDUSA, Katherine confronts Valentine, Shrike sacrifices himself to save Hester, and Valentine is killed when Katherine destroys MEDUSA, saving Shan Guo.
Transformation
Tom and Hester leave together on Anna's airship, no longer defined by their cities or past. Tom has found purpose beyond London's hierarchy, Hester has found connection beyond revenge. They choose a new path forward together.