The Divine Fury
After waking up with mysterious wounds on his hands, a champion fighter finds himself in an otherworldly battle against evil forces that wreak havoc in the human world.
The film earned $11.8M at the global box office.
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%)
The Divine Fury (2019) exhibits precise plot construction, characteristic of Jason Kim's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 9 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 Young Yong-hu prays with his devout father at church, establishing his innocent faith and loving family bond before tragedy strikes.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Yong-hu discovers a mysterious wound (stigmata) on his palm that burns with supernatural power, forcing him to confront the existence of forces beyond his understanding.. 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 32 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Yong-hu actively chooses to partner with Father Ahn after witnessing demonic possession firsthand. He agrees to use his stigmata power to fight demons, entering the world of spiritual warfare., moving from reaction to action.
At 65 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat They discover Jisin, the powerful demon behind the possessions, has been orchestrating everything. False defeat: the enemy is far more powerful than anticipated, and their victories have been leading them into a trap., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 96 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Father Ahn is mortally wounded by Jisin protecting Yong-hu. The mentor's death/sacrifice is the "whiff of death" - Yong-hu loses his guide and faces his darkest moment of failure and isolation., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 102 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Yong-hu prays for the first time since childhood, rediscovering his faith. He synthesizes Father Ahn's spiritual wisdom with his own fighting strength, accepting his stigmata as a divine gift rather than a curse., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Divine Fury's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Divine Fury against these established plot points, we can identify how Jason Kim utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Divine Fury within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young Yong-hu prays with his devout father at church, establishing his innocent faith and loving family bond before tragedy strikes.
Theme
Father Ahn tells someone that "God works through those who have suffered" - establishing the film's theme that pain and loss can become a vessel for divine purpose.
Worldbuilding
Young Yong-hu's father dies in a car accident, shattering his faith. Years later, adult Yong-hu is a successful but angry MMA fighter who has abandoned God and lives a hollow existence defined by violence and emptiness.
Disruption
Yong-hu discovers a mysterious wound (stigmata) on his palm that burns with supernatural power, forcing him to confront the existence of forces beyond his understanding.
Resistance
Yong-hu resists the supernatural, seeking medical explanations. He encounters possessed people and witnesses Father Ahn performing exorcisms, but refuses to accept the spiritual reality or his potential role in fighting evil.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Yong-hu actively chooses to partner with Father Ahn after witnessing demonic possession firsthand. He agrees to use his stigmata power to fight demons, entering the world of spiritual warfare.
Mirror World
Yong-hu meets and connects with young possessed victims and Father Ahn's spiritual community, representing the faith and compassion he abandoned. These relationships challenge his cynicism and begin to reopen his heart.
Premise
Yong-hu and Father Ahn battle various possessed individuals, with Yong-hu learning to use his stigmata power. The "fun and games" of supernatural action as they investigate the dark force behind the possessions.
Midpoint
They discover Jisin, the powerful demon behind the possessions, has been orchestrating everything. False defeat: the enemy is far more powerful than anticipated, and their victories have been leading them into a trap.
Opposition
Jisin escalates attacks, possessing people close to Yong-hu. The demons exploit Yong-hu's lingering anger and faithlessness. Father Ahn reveals more about the spiritual war, but Yong-hu's wounds and doubts grow deeper.
Collapse
Father Ahn is mortally wounded by Jisin protecting Yong-hu. The mentor's death/sacrifice is the "whiff of death" - Yong-hu loses his guide and faces his darkest moment of failure and isolation.
Crisis
Yong-hu grieves Father Ahn, confronting his inability to save him. Dark night of processing loss, rage, and the question of whether faith has any power against such evil.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Yong-hu prays for the first time since childhood, rediscovering his faith. He synthesizes Father Ahn's spiritual wisdom with his own fighting strength, accepting his stigmata as a divine gift rather than a curse.
Synthesis
Yong-hu confronts Jisin in an epic exorcism battle, using both his physical combat skills and spiritual power. He fights not from anger but from faith and love, ultimately banishing the demon through sacrifice and belief.
Transformation
Yong-hu prays peacefully at church, his stigmata healed. Where the opening showed an innocent child with faith, the closing shows a battle-scarred warrior who has reclaimed faith through suffering - transformed and at peace.