The New Mutants
Five young mutants, just discovering their abilities while held in a secret facility against their will, fight to escape their past sins and save themselves.
The film underperformed commercially against its mid-range budget of $67.0M, earning $49.2M globally (-27% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its compelling narrative within the science fiction 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 New Mutants (2020) exemplifies meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Josh Boone's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 34 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Dani Moonstar lives on the reservation with her father, running through the woods at night. Their close bond establishes her ordinary world before tragedy strikes.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Dani has a violent nightmare about the attack on her reservation, screaming and manifesting her powers. The trauma that destroyed her old life now threatens her new one, and strange supernatural events begin occurring in the facility.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Dani chooses to confide in Rahne about the night her father died and her reservation was destroyed. This decision to stop running from her past and trust someone marks her commitment to confronting her trauma., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 48% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Dr. Reyes reveals the dark truth: the facility isn't training them for the X-Men, it's studying them as weapons for the Essex Corporation. She plans to eliminate Dani as too dangerous. The false hope of salvation becomes a prison of exploitation., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Demon Bear—the manifestation of Dani's trauma and guilt over her father's death—fully materializes and attacks the facility. Rahne is gravely injured protecting Dani. Dani's greatest fear literally comes to life, and the person she loves most pays the price., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Rahne tells Dani: "You're not the monster. The bear is your fear. Face it." Dani realizes she doesn't need to run from or destroy her power—she needs to accept it and command it. She understands her ability manifests fears but also that she can control and dispel them., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The New Mutants's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The New Mutants against these established plot points, we can identify how Josh Boone utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The New Mutants within the science fiction genre.
Josh Boone's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Josh Boone films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The New Mutants represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Josh Boone filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional science fiction films include Lake Placid, The Postman and Oblivion. For more Josh Boone analyses, see The Fault in Our Stars.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Dani Moonstar lives on the reservation with her father, running through the woods at night. Their close bond establishes her ordinary world before tragedy strikes.
Theme
Dr. Reyes tells Dani: "This is a place for people like us. We help each other face our demons." The film's theme about confronting inner fears rather than running from them.
Worldbuilding
Dani awakens in the mysterious facility and meets the other four mutants: Rahne, Illyana, Sam, and Roberto. Dr. Reyes explains the facility is designed to help them control their powers. The locked-down hospital setting and each teen's dangerous abilities are established.
Disruption
Dani has a violent nightmare about the attack on her reservation, screaming and manifesting her powers. The trauma that destroyed her old life now threatens her new one, and strange supernatural events begin occurring in the facility.
Resistance
Dani resists opening up about her trauma and powers. Rahne befriends her despite the others' hostility. Dr. Reyes reveals they can't leave until they master their abilities. Each mutant's fear manifests as supernatural attacks: Roberto sees his burning girlfriend, Illyana faces her past tormentors.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Dani chooses to confide in Rahne about the night her father died and her reservation was destroyed. This decision to stop running from her past and trust someone marks her commitment to confronting her trauma.
Mirror World
Dani and Rahne share an intimate moment in the chapel. Rahne reveals her own abuse and fear, showing Dani what it means to be vulnerable and honest about pain. Their romantic connection becomes the emotional core that teaches Dani about facing fear.
Premise
The teens bond while exploring their powers and the facility. Dani and Rahne's relationship deepens. The group attempts to escape but discovers force fields trap them. Supernatural manifestations intensify: Sam faces his coal mine trauma, Illyana's childhood demons appear physically. The mystery of what's causing these manifestations builds.
Midpoint
Dr. Reyes reveals the dark truth: the facility isn't training them for the X-Men, it's studying them as weapons for the Essex Corporation. She plans to eliminate Dani as too dangerous. The false hope of salvation becomes a prison of exploitation.
Opposition
The manifestations become deadly as Dani's uncontrolled powers pull everyone's worst fears into reality. Illyana confronts her Smile Men demons. Roberto nearly burns Sam alive. The group turns on Dani, blaming her for the attacks. Dr. Reyes prepares to execute Dani. Trust disintegrates as fear overwhelms them.
Collapse
The Demon Bear—the manifestation of Dani's trauma and guilt over her father's death—fully materializes and attacks the facility. Rahne is gravely injured protecting Dani. Dani's greatest fear literally comes to life, and the person she loves most pays the price.
Crisis
Dani cradles wounded Rahne, consumed by guilt and despair. The other mutants face their own manifestations in isolated terror. The facility crumbles around them. Dani believes she's destroyed everything she touched, just like she destroyed her reservation.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Rahne tells Dani: "You're not the monster. The bear is your fear. Face it." Dani realizes she doesn't need to run from or destroy her power—she needs to accept it and command it. She understands her ability manifests fears but also that she can control and dispel them.
Synthesis
Dani confronts the Demon Bear, accepting her guilt and pain rather than fighting it. She commands it to stop, finally controlling her powers. The group unites, each using their abilities to fight Dr. Reyes and their own manifestations. Together they overcome their fears, defeat Reyes, and destroy the force field. They choose to stay together rather than scatter.
Transformation
The five mutants stand together outside the destroyed facility, free and united. Dani, who began alone and terrified of her power, now leads the group with confidence. They walk toward an uncertain future as the New Mutants—no longer running from their fears but embracing who they are.