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 substantial budget of $90.0M, the film achieved a modest success 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) showcases meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Breck Eisner's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-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 flashback: Kaulder leads warriors against the Witch Queen who has unleashed the Black Plague. His world is one of violence and vengeance as he storms her lair.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Dolan 36th dies suddenly under mysterious circumstances. Kaulder loses his closest friend and handler, the one person who knew his entire 800-year history.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. 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 illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Kaulder's apartment is attacked by witch assassins with insect swarms. He realizes this is an organized conspiracy, not isolated incidents. He chooses to actively investigate the witch underworld with Chloe's help., 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 Kaulder discovers his memories were stolen—specifically the memory of how he originally defeated the Witch Queen. Belial plans to resurrect her. Stakes raise: it's not just about Dolan's death, but preventing an apocalyptic return., 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 is fully resurrected. Chloe is possessed and used as a vessel. Kaulder's immortality—his defining trait—is stripped away, making him mortal again. He faces death for the first time in 800 years., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Final battle at the Witch Queen's tomb. Kaulder fights Belial and the resurrected Queen. He frees Chloe from possession, destroys the Witch Queen's heart with his flaming sword, and ends the curse. The Queen is defeated permanently., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Last Witch Hunter's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. 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 Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Breck Eisner analyses, see Sahara, The Crazies.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Medieval flashback: Kaulder leads warriors against the Witch Queen who has unleashed the Black Plague. His world is one of violence and vengeance as he storms her lair.
Theme
The Witch Queen curses Kaulder with immortality, stating "You will live forever, never knowing peace." Theme of eternal life as curse vs. gift, and finding purpose in endless existence.
Worldbuilding
Modern day New York. Kaulder now works for the Axe and Cross organization, hunting rogue witches. We see his routine: luxury apartment, bar encounters, partnership with Dolan 36th, and the uneasy truce between humans and witches.
Disruption
Dolan 36th dies suddenly under mysterious circumstances. Kaulder loses his closest friend and handler, the one person who knew his entire 800-year history.
Resistance
Kaulder investigates Dolan's death, meets Dolan 37th (his young, inexperienced replacement), and suspects dark magic. He visits witch dream-walker Chloe, who helps him access his memories. He resists accepting this is more than a random death.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Kaulder's apartment is attacked by witch assassins with insect swarms. He realizes this is an organized conspiracy, not isolated incidents. He chooses to actively investigate the witch underworld with Chloe's help.
Premise
Kaulder and Chloe investigate the witch underworld together. They track down Ellic the witch, discover a conspiracy involving dark magic and stolen memories, and uncover that Belial (a powerful warlock) is behind the plot. Action sequences in witch bars and sanctuaries.
Midpoint
Kaulder discovers his memories were stolen—specifically the memory of how he originally defeated the Witch Queen. Belial plans to resurrect her. Stakes raise: it's not just about Dolan's death, but preventing an apocalyptic return.
Opposition
Belial and his followers close in. Kaulder races to recover his lost memories from Dolan 36th (who isn't actually dead, but spelled). Betrayals within the Axe and Cross organization surface. Chloe is captured. The Witch Queen's resurrection progresses.
Collapse
The Witch Queen is fully resurrected. Chloe is possessed and used as a vessel. Kaulder's immortality—his defining trait—is stripped away, making him mortal again. He faces death for the first time in 800 years.
Crisis
Kaulder confronts his mortality and what truly matters. Now that death is real again, he must choose: save himself or save Chloe and the world. He processes 800 years of grief and isolation.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Final battle at the Witch Queen's tomb. Kaulder fights Belial and the resurrected Queen. He frees Chloe from possession, destroys the Witch Queen's heart with his flaming sword, and ends the curse. The Queen is defeated permanently.