Star Trek Beyond
The USS Enterprise crew explores the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a mysterious new enemy who puts them and everything the Federation stands for to the test.
Working with a massive budget of $185.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $343.5M in global revenue (+86% 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%)
Star Trek Beyond (2016) showcases strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Justin Lin's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 2 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Kirk delivers his captain's log, reflecting on the monotony of their extended five-year mission. The Enterprise crew is going through the motions, worn down by routine diplomatic missions in deep space.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when A distress call arrives from Kalara, claiming her ship is stranded in an uncharted nebula. The Enterprise is dispatched on what appears to be a routine rescue mission into the dangerous nebula.. 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 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Krall's swarm ships attack the Enterprise in overwhelming numbers. The ship is quickly torn apart in a devastating assault. Kirk makes the agonizing choice to abandon ship, and the crew evacuates in escape pods toward the planet below., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 90 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Krall infiltrates Yorktown and activates the bio-weapon, beginning to disperse it into the starbase's life support systems. Thousands of lives hang in the balance as the weapon starts killing people. All seems lost as death spreads through the station., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 98 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The crew executes their plan: they use the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage" to disrupt and destroy the swarm ships. Kirk pursues Krall/Edison into space, and in a final confrontation, Kirk appeals to Edison's lost humanity before Edison is consumed by his own weapon., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Star Trek Beyond's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Star Trek Beyond against these established plot points, we can identify how Justin Lin utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Star Trek Beyond within the action genre.
Justin Lin's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Justin Lin films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Star Trek Beyond takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Justin Lin filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Justin Lin analyses, see The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Annapolis.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kirk delivers his captain's log, reflecting on the monotony of their extended five-year mission. The Enterprise crew is going through the motions, worn down by routine diplomatic missions in deep space.
Theme
Commodore Paris tells Kirk that "the frontier pushes back," foreshadowing the film's exploration of unity versus isolation, and whether strength comes from togetherness or going it alone.
Worldbuilding
The Enterprise arrives at Starbase Yorktown for resupply. We see the crew's weariness: Kirk considers a promotion away from the captain's chair, Spock and Uhura break up, and the crew contemplates their individual futures as their mission milestone approaches.
Disruption
A distress call arrives from Kalara, claiming her ship is stranded in an uncharted nebula. The Enterprise is dispatched on what appears to be a routine rescue mission into the dangerous nebula.
Resistance
The Enterprise navigates into the nebula despite warnings about its dangers. The crew debates the mission parameters, and Kirk reasserts his commitment to their mandate of exploration and rescue, pushing forward despite the risks.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Krall's swarm ships attack the Enterprise in overwhelming numbers. The ship is quickly torn apart in a devastating assault. Kirk makes the agonizing choice to abandon ship, and the crew evacuates in escape pods toward the planet below.
Mirror World
Kirk meets up with Chekov on the planet surface, and separately we see Scotty rescued by Jaylah, a lone alien survivor who has been fighting Krall's forces alone. Jaylah represents the thematic counterpoint: strength through isolation versus unity.
Premise
The crew is scattered across the planet. Kirk and Chekov search for survivors, Spock is injured and must confront mortality with Bones' help, Uhura is captured by Krall, and Scotty works with Jaylah to repair the USS Franklin. They explore survival and regrouping.
Opposition
The crew works to repair the Franklin and formulate a plan to stop Krall. They discover clues about his identity and his connection to the Federation. Krall departs for Yorktown with his swarm. The pressure builds as they race against time.
Collapse
Krall infiltrates Yorktown and activates the bio-weapon, beginning to disperse it into the starbase's life support systems. Thousands of lives hang in the balance as the weapon starts killing people. All seems lost as death spreads through the station.
Crisis
Kirk discovers Krall's true identity as Captain Edison, a former Starfleet officer who was abandoned and lost faith in the Federation. Kirk must process this dark revelation while finding resolve to stop someone who represents what he himself might become.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The crew executes their plan: they use the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage" to disrupt and destroy the swarm ships. Kirk pursues Krall/Edison into space, and in a final confrontation, Kirk appeals to Edison's lost humanity before Edison is consumed by his own weapon.