The Kid Who Would Be King
Old-school magic meets the modern world when young Alex stumbles upon the mythical sword Excalibur. He soon unites his friends and enemies, and they become knights who join forces with the legendary wizard Merlin. Together, they must save mankind from the wicked enchantress Morgana and her army of supernatural warriors.
The film underperformed commercially against its mid-range budget of $59.0M, earning $32.1M globally (-46% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling within the action genre.
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 Kid Who Would Be King (2019) showcases precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Joe Cornish's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Alex and Bedders are bullied outcasts at school, running from Lance and Kaye. Alex dreams of being a hero but is powerless in his ordinary world.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Alex pulls Excalibur from the stone at a construction site after fleeing from bullies. The legendary sword chooses him, marking him as the next king and disrupting his ordinary life.. At 10% 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Alex makes the active choice to accept his role as king. He knights Bedders, Lance, and Kaye at the Round Table, forming his army and committing to face Morgana., moving from reaction to action.
At 61 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False victory at Tintagel: Alex enters the Underland, retrieves a piece of Arthur's broken sword, and learns he is descended from Arthur. He believes he's destined to win, stakes are raised publicly., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 88 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Morgana rises at full power during the eclipse. Merlin appears to die protecting the kids. Alex's sword shatters. His army abandons him. He loses everything and faces certain death - literal "whiff of death."., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 94 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 78% of the runtime. Synthesis moment: Alex realizes the truth - leadership isn't about being special or destined, it's about inspiring others. He rallies all the students at school to become knights together. Unity over individual heroism., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Kid Who Would Be King'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 Kid Who Would Be King against these established plot points, we can identify how Joe Cornish utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Kid Who Would Be King 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
Alex and Bedders are bullied outcasts at school, running from Lance and Kaye. Alex dreams of being a hero but is powerless in his ordinary world.
Theme
Alex's mother tells him that "The land we live in is only as strong as those who protect it" - establishing the theme of collective responsibility and leadership.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Alex's world: single mother household, bullying at school, friendship with Bedders, and the animated prologue about King Arthur and Morgana rising every generation to destroy the land.
Disruption
Alex pulls Excalibur from the stone at a construction site after fleeing from bullies. The legendary sword chooses him, marking him as the next king and disrupting his ordinary life.
Resistance
Merlin appears as a teenage boy to guide Alex. Alex resists the responsibility, tries to return the sword, and debates whether this is real. Merlin explains Morgana's return and that Alex must become king.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Alex makes the active choice to accept his role as king. He knights Bedders, Lance, and Kaye at the Round Table, forming his army and committing to face Morgana.
Mirror World
The relationship with his makeshift knights (especially former bullies Lance and Kaye) becomes the emotional core. They represent the theme: strangers becoming allies, united against common threat.
Premise
Training montage and bonding. The kids learn medieval combat, face demon knights, survive their first battles, and travel to find Tintagel. The fun of "kids as knights" premise plays out fully.
Midpoint
False victory at Tintagel: Alex enters the Underland, retrieves a piece of Arthur's broken sword, and learns he is descended from Arthur. He believes he's destined to win, stakes are raised publicly.
Opposition
Morgana intensifies attacks. Alex's leadership flaws surface - he becomes arrogant, excludes others from planning. Lance and Kaye feel used. The group fractures. Morgana exploits the division.
Collapse
Morgana rises at full power during the eclipse. Merlin appears to die protecting the kids. Alex's sword shatters. His army abandons him. He loses everything and faces certain death - literal "whiff of death."
Crisis
Alex's dark night: he believes he's failed, lost his mentor, lost the sword, lost his friends. He contemplates giving up. Processes that his arrogance caused this disaster.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Synthesis moment: Alex realizes the truth - leadership isn't about being special or destined, it's about inspiring others. He rallies all the students at school to become knights together. Unity over individual heroism.
Synthesis
The finale battle: an entire school of kid-knights vs Morgana's army. Alex leads collectively, not alone. Merlin returns. They reforge Excalibur through unity. Morgana is defeated by their combined strength.
Transformation
Final image mirrors opening: Alex and Bedders at school, but now Lance and Kaye are friends, not bullies. The Round Table is everyone. Alex transformed from isolated dreamer to true leader who unites others.