The Fly II
Seth Brundle was a renowned scientist whose warped experiments with teleportation transformed him into a man/fly hybrid called BrundleFly. A few months after the BrundleFly insect met its demise by his lover's, Veronica, shotgun, she dies while giving birth to their son, Martin. Seth's corrupt employer, Bartok, adopts Martin, only so Martin can solve the new problems that the still-functioning TelePods present and to use him as a science project because of the dormant insect genes. Martin is now fully grown, even though he is five, and the fly genes begin to awaken and make him just like dear, dead dad. With the help of his girlfriend, Beth, they go to wherever they can find a possible cure before Bartok finds them and brings them back, but not before Martin finishes his transformation into MartinFly, the deadliest of the BrundleFly species.
Despite a moderate budget of $16.5M, The Fly II became a box office success, earning $38.9M worldwide—a 136% return.
3 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%)
The Fly II (1989) exhibits deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Chris Walas's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 45 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Martin Brundle is born from Veronica's womb as a human-fly hybrid larva. We see him as a rapidly aging child confined in Bartok Industries' research facility, brilliant but imprisoned.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Martin begins showing early signs of mutation or discovers hidden truths about his father Seth Brundle's fate and the real nature of his confinement at Bartok Industries.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Martin makes the active choice to escape Bartok Industries and pursue freedom, rejecting his role as a lab specimen and choosing to take control of his own destiny., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Martin's genetic mutation accelerates dramatically and becomes undeniable. The disease that killed his father begins manifesting. What seemed like freedom becomes a countdown to monstrous transformation., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Martin completes his transformation into a grotesque fly creature, losing his human form entirely. The death of Martin-as-human. Beth is captured or endangered. All hope of a normal life dies., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Martin realizes he can use his father's telepods to reverse the mutation or discovers how to use his monstrous power purposefully. He synthesizes his humanity with his mutation to take final control of his fate., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Fly II's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Fly II against these established plot points, we can identify how Chris Walas utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Fly II within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Martin Brundle is born from Veronica's womb as a human-fly hybrid larva. We see him as a rapidly aging child confined in Bartok Industries' research facility, brilliant but imprisoned.
Theme
Bartok Industries scientists discuss Martin's genetic potential and the value of his father's work - establishing the theme of corporate exploitation versus human dignity and the question of nature versus nurture.
Worldbuilding
Martin grows at an accelerated rate under constant surveillance at Bartok Industries. We see his relationship with Beth Logan, his handler/surrogate mother, his scientific brilliance, and his isolation from the world.
Disruption
Martin begins showing early signs of mutation or discovers hidden truths about his father Seth Brundle's fate and the real nature of his confinement at Bartok Industries.
Resistance
Martin debates his identity and future. Beth becomes his ally and guide, helping him understand his father's work while he grapples with the implications of his genetics and Bartok's control over his life.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Martin makes the active choice to escape Bartok Industries and pursue freedom, rejecting his role as a lab specimen and choosing to take control of his own destiny.
Mirror World
Martin and Beth's relationship deepens romantically. She represents the humanity, normalcy, and emotional connection he has been denied - the life beyond the laboratory walls.
Premise
Martin experiences freedom for the first time, explores his identity outside captivity, develops his romance with Beth, and potentially continues his father's teleportation experiments with newfound autonomy.
Midpoint
Martin's genetic mutation accelerates dramatically and becomes undeniable. The disease that killed his father begins manifesting. What seemed like freedom becomes a countdown to monstrous transformation.
Opposition
Martin's transformation progresses rapidly. Bartok closes in to recapture his valuable specimen. Martin's body betrays him, his relationship with Beth strains, and his humanity slips away as the fly genetics dominate.
Collapse
Martin completes his transformation into a grotesque fly creature, losing his human form entirely. The death of Martin-as-human. Beth is captured or endangered. All hope of a normal life dies.
Crisis
Martin, now fully mutated, faces despair and his monstrous reflection. He contemplates his father's tragic fate and whether he is doomed to repeat it, processing the loss of his humanity in his darkest moment.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Martin realizes he can use his father's telepods to reverse the mutation or discovers how to use his monstrous power purposefully. He synthesizes his humanity with his mutation to take final control of his fate.
Synthesis
Martin confronts Bartok in the facility. He rescues Beth and uses the telepods for his final act - either to cure himself or to exact poetic justice by swapping his corrupted genes with Bartok, turning his captor into the monster.
Transformation
Final image shows Martin having chosen his own path - whether cured, sacrificed, or transformed - he has agency and freedom. Unlike the imprisoned child of the opening, he has become the author of his own fate.