The Priests
The young girl Young-shin seems to be possessed by demon and Father Kim and Deacon Choi are about to investigate the case. But to save the life of Young-shin, the have to find out if the girl is truly possessed or maybe the victim of a human force. Or in the worst case both.
The film earned $36.9M at the global box office.
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 Priests (2015) showcases meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Jang Jae-hyun's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 43 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Father Kim performs exorcisms in secret, operating outside official church approval. Young deacon Choi is introduced as a seminary student skeptical of supernatural phenomena, representing rationality and doubt.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Young-shin exhibits disturbing supernatural behavior in the hospital—speaking in unknown languages, displaying impossible strength, and revealing knowledge she shouldn't possess. Medical science cannot explain her condition, pointing to demonic possession.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Choi makes the active choice to join Father Kim in performing the exorcism on Young-shin, despite his doubts and the church's prohibition. They enter the hospital room and begin the ritual, crossing into the dangerous world of spiritual warfare., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False victory: Young-shin appears to be freed from possession and awakens peacefully. The priests believe they've succeeded. But the stakes raise when they discover the demon was merely hiding, and it has now possessed someone else, revealing this entity is far more powerful than they thought., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Father Kim is gravely injured or compromised by the demon, leaving him incapacitated. The whiff of death: Kim appears to be dying or has lost his faith entirely. Young-shin's condition deteriorates to the point of near-death. All hope seems lost, and Choi is left alone., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The final exorcism. Choi confronts the demon with his transformed faith, combining Kim's experience with his own spiritual awakening. Young-shin's mother's faith plays a crucial role. The climactic spiritual battle where Choi must hold firm against the demon's ultimate assault and temptations., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Priests's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Priests against these established plot points, we can identify how Jang Jae-hyun utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Priests within the mystery genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional mystery films include Oblivion, From Darkness and American Gigolo.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Father Kim performs exorcisms in secret, operating outside official church approval. Young deacon Choi is introduced as a seminary student skeptical of supernatural phenomena, representing rationality and doubt.
Theme
A senior priest or mentor figure warns about the dangers of pride and the thin line between faith and obsession, stating that true faith requires humility and recognizing one's limitations against evil.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the world of Catholic exorcism in Korea, Father Kim's underground practice, the church's official stance against it, and Choi's initial skepticism. We meet Young-shin, a teenage girl in a coma after a mysterious car accident.
Disruption
Young-shin exhibits disturbing supernatural behavior in the hospital—speaking in unknown languages, displaying impossible strength, and revealing knowledge she shouldn't possess. Medical science cannot explain her condition, pointing to demonic possession.
Resistance
Father Kim investigates Young-shin's case while Choi debates whether to assist. They research the accident, interview witnesses, and discover dark signs. Kim prepares Choi for what exorcism truly entails, and the young deacon wrestles with his scientific worldview versus mounting evidence of evil.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Choi makes the active choice to join Father Kim in performing the exorcism on Young-shin, despite his doubts and the church's prohibition. They enter the hospital room and begin the ritual, crossing into the dangerous world of spiritual warfare.
Mirror World
Young-shin's mother is introduced as a figure of unconditional faith and love, representing what the priests are fighting for—the power of maternal love and pure faith against evil. Her relationship with her daughter mirrors the thematic question of faith versus despair.
Premise
The exorcism unfolds with escalating supernatural confrontations. The demon reveals secrets, manipulates the priests, and demonstrates its power. The priests battle through multiple sessions, experiencing the horror and spiritual combat the audience came to see—classic exorcism set pieces.
Midpoint
False victory: Young-shin appears to be freed from possession and awakens peacefully. The priests believe they've succeeded. But the stakes raise when they discover the demon was merely hiding, and it has now possessed someone else, revealing this entity is far more powerful than they thought.
Opposition
The demon attacks escalate, targeting the priests personally. The church hierarchy threatens to stop them. Choi's faith wavers as the evil intensifies. The demon exploits their weaknesses and past sins. Physical and psychological toll mounts as they realize they're facing an ancient, powerful entity.
Collapse
Father Kim is gravely injured or compromised by the demon, leaving him incapacitated. The whiff of death: Kim appears to be dying or has lost his faith entirely. Young-shin's condition deteriorates to the point of near-death. All hope seems lost, and Choi is left alone.
Crisis
Choi experiences his dark night of the soul, confronting his own inadequacy and fear. He sits with the dying or broken Kim, processes the magnitude of evil they're facing, and questions whether faith alone is enough. A period of grief, doubt, and despair.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The final exorcism. Choi confronts the demon with his transformed faith, combining Kim's experience with his own spiritual awakening. Young-shin's mother's faith plays a crucial role. The climactic spiritual battle where Choi must hold firm against the demon's ultimate assault and temptations.