Resident Evil: The Final Chapter
Picking up immediately after the events in Resident Evil: Retribution, Alice is the only survivor of what was meant to be humanity's final stand against the undead. Now, she must return to where the nightmare began - The Hive in Raccoon City, where the Umbrella Corporation is gathering its forces for a final strike against the only remaining survivors of the apocalypse.
Despite a mid-range budget of $40.0M, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter became a massive hit, earning $312.2M worldwide—a remarkable 681% return.
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%)
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016) exemplifies strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Paul W. S. Anderson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Alice alone in the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Washington D.C., betrayed and abandoned by Wesker. The world is dying, and she is humanity's last hope in a desolate, infected world.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Alice is attacked by Dr. Isaacs and his forces in the wasteland. The hunt begins, forcing her to flee toward Raccoon City while fighting off infected creatures and Umbrella soldiers.. 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.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False defeat: Alice discovers the truth about her identity—she is a clone, not the original Alice. The revelation that her memories are implanted and her daughter never truly belonged to her shatters her sense of self. Stakes are raised as Isaacs closes in., 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 (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Most of the survivors are dead. Alice is captured and seemingly defeated by Dr. Isaacs. She learns the full extent of Umbrella's deception—the outbreak was deliberate genocide of the poor to preserve Earth for the elite. All seems lost., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 86 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The finale. Alice battles Dr. Isaacs and his clones in the Hive. She combines her fighting skills with her new knowledge and authority over Umbrella systems. She defeats Isaacs, releases the airborne antivirus globally, and ensures humanity's salvation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Resident Evil: The Final Chapter against these established plot points, we can identify how Paul W. S. Anderson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Resident Evil: The Final Chapter within the action genre.
Paul W. S. Anderson's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Paul W. S. Anderson films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Paul W. S. Anderson filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Paul W. S. Anderson analyses, see Resident Evil, Pompeii and The Three Musketeers.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Alice alone in the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Washington D.C., betrayed and abandoned by Wesker. The world is dying, and she is humanity's last hope in a desolate, infected world.
Theme
The Red Queen states: "You have 48 hours before the last remnants of humanity are exterminated." Theme: Returning to the origin to end what was begun; redemption requires confronting the past.
Worldbuilding
Exposition establishes the world ten years after the T-virus outbreak. Flashback reveals Umbrella Corporation's creation of the virus and the global apocalypse. Alice learns an airborne antivirus exists in the Hive beneath Raccoon City where it all began.
Disruption
Alice is attacked by Dr. Isaacs and his forces in the wasteland. The hunt begins, forcing her to flee toward Raccoon City while fighting off infected creatures and Umbrella soldiers.
Resistance
Alice journeys through the wasteland toward Raccoon City. She encounters Claire Redfield and a group of survivors. Initial distrust gives way to alliance as they debate whether to help Alice infiltrate the Hive or flee to safety.
Act II
ConfrontationMirror World
Claire Redfield serves as Alice's thematic mirror—a human survivor without powers who fights for others. Their relationship represents what Alice has lost: her humanity and connections. Claire embodies hope and sacrifice without superhuman abilities.
Premise
The "fun and games" of infiltrating the Hive. Alice and survivors navigate deadly traps, security systems, and infected creatures in the underground facility. Action-packed sequences of survival horror and combat that deliver the franchise's core appeal.
Midpoint
False defeat: Alice discovers the truth about her identity—she is a clone, not the original Alice. The revelation that her memories are implanted and her daughter never truly belonged to her shatters her sense of self. Stakes are raised as Isaacs closes in.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies as survivors are killed one by one by the Hive's defenses and Isaacs' forces. Alice struggles with her identity crisis while fighting through increasingly deadly obstacles. The group fractures as losses mount and hope fades.
Collapse
Most of the survivors are dead. Alice is captured and seemingly defeated by Dr. Isaacs. She learns the full extent of Umbrella's deception—the outbreak was deliberate genocide of the poor to preserve Earth for the elite. All seems lost.
Crisis
Alice's dark night of the soul. Facing her powerlessness and the deaths of her companions, she must process the weight of failure. The mission appears impossible, and she questions whether one clone can matter in the face of such evil.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale. Alice battles Dr. Isaacs and his clones in the Hive. She combines her fighting skills with her new knowledge and authority over Umbrella systems. She defeats Isaacs, releases the airborne antivirus globally, and ensures humanity's salvation.