Next of Kin
Truman, a Chicago cop, sets out to find the killer of his brother. Meanwhile, another of his brothers, Briar (a hillbilly) decides to find the killer himself.
Working with a tight budget of $12.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $15.9M in global revenue (+33% profit margin).
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%)
Next of Kin (1989) demonstrates strategically placed story structure, characteristic of John Irvin's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Truman Gates as a young boy in rural Kentucky, hunting and living a simple Appalachian life with his family, establishing his roots before he left for Chicago.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Truman receives news that his younger brother Gerald has been murdered in a mob-connected burglary gone wrong, devastating him and pulling him back toward his family.. 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 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Truman chooses to stay in Chicago and pursue justice through the system, actively investigating Gerald's murder despite warnings from the Italian mob. He crosses into a dangerous world of organized crime., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat The mob retaliates against Truman's investigation by attacking and killing his partner Joey, making everything intensely personal. The stakes are raised and Truman realizes legal justice may not be enough., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 81 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Briar is killed by the mob in a devastating ambush. Truman loses his beloved brother and realizes his attempt to bridge both worlds has failed catastrophically, with death being the only result., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Truman synthesizes both worlds: he will use his cop skills and knowledge but embrace his family's code of direct action. He accepts his father and remaining family members' help to end this the mountain way., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Next of Kin's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Next of Kin against these established plot points, we can identify how John Irvin utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Next of Kin within the action genre.
John Irvin's Structural Approach
Among the 3 John Irvin films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Next of Kin represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete John Irvin filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more John Irvin analyses, see Hamburger Hill, The Dogs of War.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Truman Gates as a young boy in rural Kentucky, hunting and living a simple Appalachian life with his family, establishing his roots before he left for Chicago.
Theme
Truman's father tells him "Blood is thicker than water" and discusses family loyalty versus the law, establishing the central conflict between kinship obligations and civilized justice.
Worldbuilding
Truman is now a Chicago cop who has left his Kentucky roots behind. He lives with his brother Gerald, also in Chicago, trying to make it legitimately. We see Truman's life as a law enforcement officer and his relationship with partner Joey.
Disruption
Truman receives news that his younger brother Gerald has been murdered in a mob-connected burglary gone wrong, devastating him and pulling him back toward his family.
Resistance
Truman returns to Kentucky for the funeral and reconnects with his Appalachian family, including his father and brother Briar. He debates between handling this through legal channels or succumbing to his family's mountain justice code. His father and Briar pressure him to seek vengeance.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Truman chooses to stay in Chicago and pursue justice through the system, actively investigating Gerald's murder despite warnings from the Italian mob. He crosses into a dangerous world of organized crime.
Mirror World
Truman deepens his relationship with Jessie, his sister-in-law (Gerald's widow), who represents the possibility of family connection and healing outside of violence, embodying the thematic question about what family truly means.
Premise
Truman investigates the mob family responsible for Gerald's death, going undercover and gathering evidence. Meanwhile, his Kentucky family (led by Briar) arrives in Chicago to exact mountain justice, creating escalating tension between two codes of honor.
Midpoint
The mob retaliates against Truman's investigation by attacking and killing his partner Joey, making everything intensely personal. The stakes are raised and Truman realizes legal justice may not be enough.
Opposition
The situation spirals as Briar and the Kentucky clan escalate their vendetta against the mob, while the mob fights back brutally. Truman is caught between two worlds, unable to control either his family or the criminals. The violence intensifies on both sides.
Collapse
Briar is killed by the mob in a devastating ambush. Truman loses his beloved brother and realizes his attempt to bridge both worlds has failed catastrophically, with death being the only result.
Crisis
Truman mourns Briar and faces the dark reality that the law cannot deliver justice against the mob's power. He must decide whether to abandon his civilized principles or lose everything that matters.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Truman synthesizes both worlds: he will use his cop skills and knowledge but embrace his family's code of direct action. He accepts his father and remaining family members' help to end this the mountain way.
Synthesis
Truman and his Kentucky family execute a coordinated assault on the mob stronghold. Using both police tactics and mountain warfare, they systematically eliminate the crime family in a climactic battle. Truman personally confronts the mob boss.
Transformation
Truman returns to Kentucky with his father and surviving family, having learned that blood loyalty and family bonds transcend legal systems. He has reconciled his two identities, no longer divided between the mountain boy and the city cop.