The Last Witch Hunter
The modern world holds many secrets, but the most astounding secret of all is that witches still live amongst us; vicious supernatural creatures intent on unleashing the Black Death upon the world. Armies of witch hunters battled the unnatural enemy across the globe for centuries, including Kaulder, a valiant warrior who managed to slay the all-powerful Queen Witch, decimating her followers in the process. In the moments right before her death, the Queen curses Kaulder with her own immortality, forever separating him from his beloved wife and daughter in the afterlife. Today Kaulder is the only one of his kind remaining, and has spent centuries hunting down rogue witches, all the while yearning for his long-lost loved ones. However, unbeknownst to Kaulder, the Queen Witch is resurrected and seeks revenge on her killer causing an epic battle that will determine the survival of the human race.
Working with a significant budget of $90.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $146.9M in global revenue (+63% profit margin).
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 Last Witch Hunter (2015) exemplifies carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Breck Eisner's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 46 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Medieval prologue: Kaulder and his fellow warriors hunt the Witch Queen through a plague-ravaged land, establishing him as a fearless witch hunter who has already lost his wife and daughter to the Black Death.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Dolan 36th is found dead under mysterious circumstances on the night of his retirement, apparently killed by dark magic. Kaulder realizes his old friend and mentor has been murdered by witches.. 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Kaulder discovers that his memories of killing the Witch Queen were altered—she wasn't truly destroyed, only imprisoned. He chooses to pursue the conspiracy and recover his true memories, breaking the fragile peace., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Kaulder's memory dive reveals the terrible truth: the Witch Queen's heart was preserved by the Axe and Cross to maintain his immortality—his curse is literally tied to her survival. The stakes shift from preventing resurrection to confronting the organization he serves., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Witch Queen returns to full power and begins summoning a new plague to destroy humanity. Kaulder, now mortal and weakened, watches as Chloe is trapped and the Queen prepares her apocalyptic curse. Everything he fought to prevent has come to pass., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Kaulder chooses to fight the Witch Queen as a mortal man, accepting that death may finally come for him. Armed with his flaming sword and supported by Dolan 37th, he enters the Queen's lair not as an immortal hunter, but as a man with something to live for., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Last Witch Hunter'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 Last Witch Hunter against these established plot points, we can identify how Breck Eisner utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Last Witch Hunter within the action genre.
Breck Eisner's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Breck Eisner films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Last Witch Hunter takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Breck Eisner filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Breck Eisner analyses, see Sahara, The Crazies.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Medieval prologue: Kaulder and his fellow warriors hunt the Witch Queen through a plague-ravaged land, establishing him as a fearless witch hunter who has already lost his wife and daughter to the Black Death.
Theme
The Witch Queen curses Kaulder with immortality as she dies, telling him he will never know peace or rest—establishing the theme that eternal life without connection is a burden, not a gift.
Worldbuilding
Eight centuries later, modern-day Kaulder works for the Axe and Cross, an organization maintaining peace between humans and witches. His Dolan (handler), the 36th, prepares to retire. The covert world of witchcraft hidden within modern society is revealed.
Disruption
Dolan 36th is found dead under mysterious circumstances on the night of his retirement, apparently killed by dark magic. Kaulder realizes his old friend and mentor has been murdered by witches.
Resistance
Kaulder meets Dolan 37th, a young priest assigned as his new handler. He investigates the murder, discovering evidence of forbidden magic and learning that someone is trying to resurrect the Witch Queen. He debates whether to trust the new Dolan.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Kaulder discovers that his memories of killing the Witch Queen were altered—she wasn't truly destroyed, only imprisoned. He chooses to pursue the conspiracy and recover his true memories, breaking the fragile peace.
Mirror World
Kaulder seeks out Chloe, a young witch who runs a bar and possesses dream-walking abilities. She represents the possibility that witches and humans can coexist, becoming his guide into the witch underworld and challenging his black-and-white worldview.
Premise
Kaulder navigates the hidden witch world with Chloe's help, using her dream-walking powers to explore his suppressed memories. He hunts for clues about who wants to resurrect the Witch Queen, encountering various witches and uncovering a conspiracy within the Axe and Cross itself.
Midpoint
Kaulder's memory dive reveals the terrible truth: the Witch Queen's heart was preserved by the Axe and Cross to maintain his immortality—his curse is literally tied to her survival. The stakes shift from preventing resurrection to confronting the organization he serves.
Opposition
Belial, a powerful warlock, captures Chloe and uses her powers to locate the Witch Queen's heart. Kaulder races to stop the resurrection while the conspiracy within the Axe and Cross is revealed. Dolan 36th is discovered alive but cursed. The Witch Queen is successfully resurrected.
Collapse
The Witch Queen returns to full power and begins summoning a new plague to destroy humanity. Kaulder, now mortal and weakened, watches as Chloe is trapped and the Queen prepares her apocalyptic curse. Everything he fought to prevent has come to pass.
Crisis
Stripped of his immortality and facing an all-powerful enemy, Kaulder must accept that his centuries of isolation made him vulnerable. Dolan 37th proves his loyalty, and Kaulder realizes that his connections to others—Chloe, the Dolans—are his true strength.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Kaulder chooses to fight the Witch Queen as a mortal man, accepting that death may finally come for him. Armed with his flaming sword and supported by Dolan 37th, he enters the Queen's lair not as an immortal hunter, but as a man with something to live for.
Synthesis
Kaulder battles the Witch Queen in a climactic confrontation. Using his centuries of experience and the flaming sword that originally killed her, he destroys her heart—truly killing her this time. Chloe is freed, the plague is stopped, and Kaulder survives, his immortality restored but now embraced rather than resented.
Transformation
Kaulder, no longer isolated, continues his work with Dolan 37th as a true partner and maintains his friendship with Chloe. He has transformed from a man cursed with immortality into one who chooses to use his endless life to protect both humans and peaceful witches.