Solomon Kane
A nomadic 16th century warrior, condemned to hell for his brutal past, seeks redemption by renouncing violence, but finds some things are worth burning for as he fights to free a young Puritan woman from the grip of evil.
The film commercial failure against its moderate budget of $45.0M, earning $19.7M globally (-56% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling within the adventure genre.
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%)
Solomon Kane (2009) exhibits precise plot construction, characteristic of MJ Bassett's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 44 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Solomon Kane, a ruthless mercenary captain, raids a fortress in North Africa. He is a man of violence and greed, claiming his victims' souls belong to him, showing his moral corruption and spiritual emptiness.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Kane refuses to help the Crowthorns fight off raiders, maintaining his pacifist oath. The family is attacked: the father is killed, the mother crucified, and daughter Meredith is kidnapped by masked riders serving a sorcerer. Kane watches, bound by his vow of non-violence.. 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 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Kane discovers the true scope of Malachi's power and his castle stronghold. False defeat: he realizes Malachi is far more powerful than expected and is revealed to be his own corrupted brother. The stakes raise enormously—this is personal and spiritual, not just a rescue mission., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Kane is captured and crucified. Meredith is sacrificed and her soul corrupted to serve Malachi. Kane's quest has failed utterly—the girl he swore to save is now a demonic servant. He faces literal death on the cross, mirroring his spiritual death. All is lost., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 83 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Kane battles through Malachi's demonic forces with righteous fury. He fights and defeats his corrupted brother, refusing to let familial bonds stop him from destroying evil. He frees Meredith's soul and the other enslaved children. He destroys Malachi's power and the Devil's claim over the land., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Solomon Kane's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Solomon Kane against these established plot points, we can identify how MJ Bassett utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Solomon Kane within the adventure genre.
MJ Bassett's Structural Approach
Among the 2 MJ Bassett films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Solomon Kane takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete MJ Bassett filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more MJ Bassett analyses, see Silent Hill: Revelation 3D.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Solomon Kane, a ruthless mercenary captain, raids a fortress in North Africa. He is a man of violence and greed, claiming his victims' souls belong to him, showing his moral corruption and spiritual emptiness.
Theme
The Devil's Reaper tells Kane: "You are mine. Your soul is forfeit." The theme is established: can a man damned by his own evil actions find redemption? Can violence in service of good redeem violence in service of evil?
Worldbuilding
Kane flees the Devil's claim and enters a monastery, renouncing violence for a year. He lives as a peaceful man of God. When the monks expel him, he must journey across England. The world is dark, plague-ridden, and full of evil. He meets the Crowthorns, a Puritan family traveling to the New World.
Disruption
Kane refuses to help the Crowthorns fight off raiders, maintaining his pacifist oath. The family is attacked: the father is killed, the mother crucified, and daughter Meredith is kidnapped by masked riders serving a sorcerer. Kane watches, bound by his vow of non-violence.
Resistance
The dying father William Crowthorn makes Kane swear an oath to rescue Meredith, binding him spiritually. Kane debates whether he can take up arms again without damning his soul. He receives his weapons back and learns of Malachi, the sorcerer terrorizing the land and enslaving souls.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Kane fights through Malachi's forces, battling possessed soldiers and demonic creatures. He demonstrates his lethal skills now used for righteous purpose. He frees some of the enslaved children and learns that Malachi is creating an army of corrupted souls to serve darkness.
Midpoint
Kane discovers the true scope of Malachi's power and his castle stronghold. False defeat: he realizes Malachi is far more powerful than expected and is revealed to be his own corrupted brother. The stakes raise enormously—this is personal and spiritual, not just a rescue mission.
Opposition
Kane assaults Malachi's castle but the forces of darkness close in. His allies are killed or corrupted. Malachi reveals that their father marked Kane's soul for the Devil in exchange for power, and that Kane has always been destined for damnation. Kane's quest seems increasingly hopeless.
Collapse
Kane is captured and crucified. Meredith is sacrificed and her soul corrupted to serve Malachi. Kane's quest has failed utterly—the girl he swore to save is now a demonic servant. He faces literal death on the cross, mirroring his spiritual death. All is lost.
Crisis
Hanging on the cross, Kane endures his dark night. He confronts the truth: he cannot escape his father's bargain through passivity. He prays not for salvation but for the strength to fight evil. He accepts his potential damnation if it means stopping Malachi.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Kane battles through Malachi's demonic forces with righteous fury. He fights and defeats his corrupted brother, refusing to let familial bonds stop him from destroying evil. He frees Meredith's soul and the other enslaved children. He destroys Malachi's power and the Devil's claim over the land.