The Meg
A rescue mission to the bottom of the ocean is terrorized by a massive prehistoric shark.
Despite a blockbuster budget of $150.0M, The Meg became a financial success, earning $530.5M worldwide—a 254% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, demonstrating that audiences embrace bold vision even at blockbuster scale.
5 wins & 6 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jonas Taylor is a deep-sea rescue diver on a mission, confident and heroic, saving his crew from a crippled submarine. He's at the top of his game, respected and skilled.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when The submersible with Lori (Jonas's ex-wife), Toshi, and The Wall is attacked by a massive creature beneath the thermocline. They're trapped on the ocean floor, damaged and running out of oxygen.. 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Jonas makes the active choice to return to deep-sea diving, boarding the helicopter to Mana One. He decides to face his past trauma and save the crew, including his ex-wife., moving from reaction to action.
At 55 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False defeat: They successfully poison what they think is the Meg and celebrate their victory. But the real Meg appears, revealing they killed the wrong shark. A second, larger Meg has also breached the thermocline. Stakes raised—the creature is heading toward populated waters., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 84 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Dr. Zhang sacrifices himself to save his granddaughter Meiying, killed by the Meg while protecting her in a shark cage. The team's mentor figure dies. All hope seems lost as the Meg terrorizes the crowded beach, and their methods have failed., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 89 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Jonas realizes they need to stop running and lure the Meg away from civilians. He synthesizes his diving expertise with the team's scientific knowledge. New plan: draw the Meg into open water using blood and face it directly., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Meg'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 Meg against these established plot points, we can identify how Jon Turteltaub utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Meg within the action genre.
Jon Turteltaub's Structural Approach
Among the 9 Jon Turteltaub films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Meg exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jon Turteltaub filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Jon Turteltaub analyses, see National Treasure, Cool Runnings and The Kid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jonas Taylor is a deep-sea rescue diver on a mission, confident and heroic, saving his crew from a crippled submarine. He's at the top of his game, respected and skilled.
Theme
Dr. Heller dismisses Jonas's claims about what attacked the submarine: "Sometimes the mind creates what it needs to justify actions." Theme: confronting reality versus denial, trusting your instincts when others doubt you.
Worldbuilding
Five years later: Jonas is a washed-up drunk in Thailand, disgraced after his claims were dismissed. Meanwhile, Mana One research station explores the ocean depths, funded by billionaire Jack Morris. Dr. Zhang's team discovers a new ecosystem beneath the thermocline.
Disruption
The submersible with Lori (Jonas's ex-wife), Toshi, and The Wall is attacked by a massive creature beneath the thermocline. They're trapped on the ocean floor, damaged and running out of oxygen.
Resistance
Mac travels to Thailand to recruit Jonas, the only person who's encountered this situation before. Jonas initially refuses, haunted by his past failure and disbelief. Suyin, Dr. Zhang's daughter, prepares to attempt the rescue herself. Jonas debates whether he can face his demons.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jonas makes the active choice to return to deep-sea diving, boarding the helicopter to Mana One. He decides to face his past trauma and save the crew, including his ex-wife.
Mirror World
Jonas meets Suyin during the rescue mission. She represents courage, scientific curiosity, and belief in facing the unknown. Their partnership begins as they work together to save the trapped crew.
Premise
The promise of the premise: battling the Megalodon. Jonas successfully rescues the crew, proving he was right all along. The team confirms the creature is a Meg, a prehistoric shark. They track it, study it, and plan to kill it with poison. Action sequences of the Meg attacking, near-misses, and the team working together.
Midpoint
False defeat: They successfully poison what they think is the Meg and celebrate their victory. But the real Meg appears, revealing they killed the wrong shark. A second, larger Meg has also breached the thermocline. Stakes raised—the creature is heading toward populated waters.
Opposition
The Meg heads toward Sanya Bay, a populated beach with thousands of swimmers. Morris pressures the team to stop it before causing panic. Multiple attempts to track and kill it fail. The Meg becomes more aggressive, attacking boats. Tension between Jonas and Morris about methods. Dr. Zhang is killed by the Meg.
Collapse
Dr. Zhang sacrifices himself to save his granddaughter Meiying, killed by the Meg while protecting her in a shark cage. The team's mentor figure dies. All hope seems lost as the Meg terrorizes the crowded beach, and their methods have failed.
Crisis
The team mourns Dr. Zhang. Jonas processes the death and the escalating threat. Meiying grieves her grandfather. The Meg continues to attack beachgoers. Jonas must find the will to continue and find a new approach.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jonas realizes they need to stop running and lure the Meg away from civilians. He synthesizes his diving expertise with the team's scientific knowledge. New plan: draw the Meg into open water using blood and face it directly.
Synthesis
The finale: Jonas and the team execute the plan, luring the Meg away from the bay. Underwater confrontation where Jonas uses a submersible to battle the Meg directly. Morris is killed by his own greed. Jonas sacrifices the sub, improvises with harpoons and explosives, and ultimately kills the Meg by cutting it open, letting smaller sharks finish it.
Transformation
Jonas relaxes on a boat with Suyin and Meiying, at peace. He's redeemed himself, found love, and become a father figure. No longer haunted or doubted—transformed from a broken, disgraced drunk into a confident hero who trusts himself.