Teen Wolf Too
After Scott Howard's hairy adventure in Teen Wolf (1985), his equally unpopular and unathletic cousin, Todd, receives a college boxing scholarship and gets accepted into Hamilton University. Before long, the family's lupine gene finally comes out, and just like that, the once-feeble student becomes a celebrity and the school's champion, catching the eye of the college's pretty girls. Now, there's no turning back, and success is guaranteed; however, being a teenage werewolf has its price. Will the famous and self-assured teen wolf see the error of his ways? Is Todd willing to accept responsibility for his actions, and put his superhuman power to good use?
Despite its tight budget of $3.0M, Teen Wolf Too became a box office success, earning $7.9M worldwide—a 163% 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%)
Teen Wolf Too (1987) reveals carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Christopher Leitch's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 35 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Todd Howard arrives at Hamilton College as a nervous freshman, overshadowed by his cousin Scott's legendary werewolf basketball legacy. He's awkward, unconfident, and desperate to fit in.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Todd transforms into a werewolf for the first time during a stressful moment, discovering he has inherited the family trait. This changes everything - the secret he hoped to avoid is now his reality.. 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 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Todd makes the active choice to use his werewolf powers publicly, transforming during a boxing match. He commits to embracing this new identity rather than hiding it., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Todd achieves peak popularity and success, winning a major boxing match as the wolf. False victory - everything seems perfect, but he's losing his true self and authentic relationships in the process., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 71 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Todd loses everything that matters - Lisa breaks up with him, his real friends abandon him, and he faces potential expulsion or disqualification. His reliance on the wolf has destroyed his authentic life. Metaphorical death of his true self., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Todd has the realization that he must face the final challenge as himself, not as the wolf. He synthesizes the lesson from Lisa (Mirror World) with his own abilities - true strength comes from being authentic, not borrowed power., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Teen Wolf Too'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 Teen Wolf Too against these established plot points, we can identify how Christopher Leitch utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Teen Wolf Too within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Todd Howard arrives at Hamilton College as a nervous freshman, overshadowed by his cousin Scott's legendary werewolf basketball legacy. He's awkward, unconfident, and desperate to fit in.
Theme
Dean Dunn or another character mentions that Todd needs to find his own path and be himself, not live in someone else's shadow - the core theme about authentic identity versus borrowed glory.
Worldbuilding
Todd settles into college life, meeting his roommate Chubby, joining the boxing team under Coach Finstock, and experiencing the pressure of living up to the Teen Wolf legend. He's constantly compared to Scott and feels inadequate.
Disruption
Todd transforms into a werewolf for the first time during a stressful moment, discovering he has inherited the family trait. This changes everything - the secret he hoped to avoid is now his reality.
Resistance
Todd struggles with whether to reveal his werewolf nature. He debates using his powers, receives advice from Chubby and others, and wrestles with the moral implications of using supernatural abilities to succeed.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Todd makes the active choice to use his werewolf powers publicly, transforming during a boxing match. He commits to embracing this new identity rather than hiding it.
Mirror World
Todd's relationship with Lisa deepens. She represents authentic connection and sees Todd for who he really is, not just the werewolf or the legacy - embodying the theme of true identity.
Premise
The fun and games of being the Teen Wolf - Todd enjoys fame, success in boxing, popularity, and all the perks that come with his supernatural abilities. This is what the audience came to see.
Midpoint
Todd achieves peak popularity and success, winning a major boxing match as the wolf. False victory - everything seems perfect, but he's losing his true self and authentic relationships in the process.
Opposition
The consequences mount: Todd becomes arrogant and alienates his real friends, Lisa grows distant as she sees him losing himself, Dean Dunn schemes against him, and the pressure to perform as the wolf increases. His flaws catch up with him.
Collapse
Todd loses everything that matters - Lisa breaks up with him, his real friends abandon him, and he faces potential expulsion or disqualification. His reliance on the wolf has destroyed his authentic life. Metaphorical death of his true self.
Crisis
Todd sits alone in the dark night of the soul, processing his losses and realizing that he's been living as the wolf instead of as himself. He must confront what really matters to him.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Todd has the realization that he must face the final challenge as himself, not as the wolf. He synthesizes the lesson from Lisa (Mirror World) with his own abilities - true strength comes from being authentic, not borrowed power.
Synthesis
The finale boxing match where Todd competes as himself without transforming, proving his worth through his own abilities. He wins back Lisa, his friends, and his self-respect by being true to who he is.
Transformation
Todd stands victorious and confident as himself - transformed from the insecure boy living in someone else's shadow into a young man who has found his own identity. He's surrounded by genuine friends who love him for who he is.