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 enormous budget of $185.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $343.5M in global revenue (+86% profit margin).
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 3 wins & 29 nominations
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 meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Justin Lin's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-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.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
James T. Kirk
Spock
Leonard 'Bones' McCoy
Nyota Uhura
Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott
Hikaru Sulu
Pavel Chekov
Jaylah
Krall
Main Cast & Characters
James T. Kirk
Played by Chris Pine
Captain of the USS Enterprise, questioning his purpose three years into the five-year mission.
Spock
Played by Zachary Quinto
Half-human, half-Vulcan First Officer struggling with personal loss and his relationship with Uhura.
Leonard 'Bones' McCoy
Played by Karl Urban
Chief Medical Officer and Kirk's closest friend, providing emotional grounding and medical expertise.
Nyota Uhura
Played by Zoe Saldana
Communications Officer in a strained relationship with Spock, essential in first contact scenarios.
Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott
Played by Simon Pegg
Chief Engineer who discovers Jaylah and helps the crew fight back against Krall.
Hikaru Sulu
Played by John Cho
Helmsman of the Enterprise, dedicated family man and skilled pilot.
Pavel Chekov
Played by Anton Yelchin
Young navigator with technical expertise, helping the crew survive after the Enterprise's destruction.
Jaylah
Played by Sofia Boutella
Resourceful alien scavenger who lost her family to Krall and becomes a crucial ally to the Enterprise crew.
Krall
Played by Idris Elba
Vengeful alien warlord attacking the Federation, harboring a dark secret about his past identity.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Kirk attempts diplomacy with the Teenaxi, offering an artifact as a peace gesture. The mission goes awry, establishing his weariness with the endless five-year mission and his growing existential doubt.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when An escape pod emerges from an uncharted nebula. Kalara claims her ship is stranded and begs the Enterprise to rescue her crew, sending Kirk and the Enterprise into the unknown.. 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 illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Krall's massive swarm attacks and destroys the Enterprise. The crew abandons ship in escape pods, scattering across the hostile planet Altamid. Kirk watches his ship fall - there is no going back., moving from reaction to action.
At 62 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The crew reunites at the USS Franklin. They discover Krall's plan: he seeks the Abronath, an ancient bioweapon that can dissolve organic matter, and intends to destroy Yorktown. False victory - they have their ship and their crew, but now understand the true stakes., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 90 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Kirk learns Krall's true identity: he is Balthazar Edison, a former Starfleet captain abandoned by the Federation he served. Edison's hatred of unity and the Federation represents Kirk's own doubts taken to their darkest extreme. The Franklin seems no match for Krall's swarm., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 97 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Jaylah and Scotty realize the swarm ships coordinate through a frequency - disrupting it will cause them to collide. Kirk orders them to broadcast VHF radio: the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage." Working together, they have found the way to defeat the enemy., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Star Trek Beyond'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 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 6 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 Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Justin Lin analyses, see Fast Five, F9 and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kirk attempts diplomacy with the Teenaxi, offering an artifact as a peace gesture. The mission goes awry, establishing his weariness with the endless five-year mission and his growing existential doubt.
Theme
Kirk records his captain's log, noting the mission feels "episodic" and questioning what they're really accomplishing. McCoy later observes that Kirk is "hiding behind being captain" - establishing the theme that isolation weakens while connection strengthens.
Worldbuilding
The Enterprise arrives at Yorktown starbase, a massive Federation hub. Kirk secretly applies for a Vice Admiral position. Spock learns Ambassador Spock has died and contemplates leaving Starfleet to continue his work. The crew's fractured state and individual isolations are established.
Disruption
An escape pod emerges from an uncharted nebula. Kalara claims her ship is stranded and begs the Enterprise to rescue her crew, sending Kirk and the Enterprise into the unknown.
Resistance
The Enterprise ventures into the nebula despite communication blackout. Kirk debates the risks but commits to the rescue mission. Tension builds as they approach the planet Altamid, unaware they are flying into a trap.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Krall's massive swarm attacks and destroys the Enterprise. The crew abandons ship in escape pods, scattering across the hostile planet Altamid. Kirk watches his ship fall - there is no going back.
Mirror World
Scotty meets Jaylah, a fierce survivor who has been living alone on Altamid for years. She represents the thematic counterpoint: someone who chose isolation for survival but recognizes she needs others. Her hidden refuge is the crashed USS Franklin.
Premise
The scattered crew survives on Altamid. Spock and McCoy are paired together, forced into reluctant partnership. Kirk and Chekov search for the crew. Scotty and Jaylah work to restore the Franklin. Each pairing demonstrates that cooperation is essential for survival.
Midpoint
The crew reunites at the USS Franklin. They discover Krall's plan: he seeks the Abronath, an ancient bioweapon that can dissolve organic matter, and intends to destroy Yorktown. False victory - they have their ship and their crew, but now understand the true stakes.
Opposition
The crew works to repair the Franklin while planning to rescue their captured shipmates. They execute a daring rescue from Krall's camp. Krall obtains the complete Abronath and departs for Yorktown with his swarm fleet, racing ahead of the heroes.
Collapse
Kirk learns Krall's true identity: he is Balthazar Edison, a former Starfleet captain abandoned by the Federation he served. Edison's hatred of unity and the Federation represents Kirk's own doubts taken to their darkest extreme. The Franklin seems no match for Krall's swarm.
Crisis
Kirk grapples with Edison's twisted logic - that struggle and conflict make humanity strong, not peace and cooperation. The crew faces the impossible odds of stopping the swarm with one old ship. Kirk must find his conviction that unity is worth fighting for.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jaylah and Scotty realize the swarm ships coordinate through a frequency - disrupting it will cause them to collide. Kirk orders them to broadcast VHF radio: the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage." Working together, they have found the way to defeat the enemy.
Synthesis
The Franklin rides into battle blasting "Sabotage," destroying the swarm. Kirk pursues Krall into Yorktown's core, confronting him as Edison. In their final fight, Kirk defeats Edison by ejecting him into space with the Abronath, saving millions. The power of unity triumphs.
Transformation
Kirk celebrates his birthday with his crew - the family he nearly abandoned. He declines the Admiral promotion, recommitting to the captain's chair. Spock chooses to stay as well. The crew watches as construction begins on the Enterprise-A, united and renewed.