The Three Musketeers: Milady
D'Artagnan, on a quest to rescue the abducted Constance, runs into the mysterious Milady de Winter again. The tension between the Catholics and the Protestants finally escalates, as the king declares war — forcing the now four musketeers into battle. But as the war goes on, they are tested physically, mentally and emotionally.
The film struggled financially against its mid-range budget of $39.0M, earning $21.7M globally (-44% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unique voice within the adventure 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 Three Musketeers: Milady (2023) exhibits precise plot construction, characteristic of Martin Bourboulon's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 55 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 D'Artagnan mourns Constance's death at Milady's hands. The Musketeers are scattered and broken, England looms as a threat to France.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Richelieu orders Milady to England to assassinate the Duke of Buckingham and ignite war between France and England.. 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 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to D'Artagnan and the Musketeers choose to travel to England to stop Milady, defying orders and risking treason to prevent war., moving from reaction to action.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Milady successfully manipulates her way close to Buckingham. The Musketeers arrive too late—she has already set her plan in motion. False defeat., 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 (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Buckingham is assassinated. War becomes inevitable. The Musketeers are captured and face execution as traitors and assassins., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 91 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. D'Artagnan realizes Milady can only be stopped by exposing Richelieu's conspiracy, not through personal revenge. The Musketeers escape and choose justice over vengeance., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Three Musketeers: Milady'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 Three Musketeers: Milady against these established plot points, we can identify how Martin Bourboulon utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Three Musketeers: Milady within the adventure genre.
Martin Bourboulon's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Martin Bourboulon films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Three Musketeers: Milady takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Martin Bourboulon filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more Martin Bourboulon analyses, see The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan, Eiffel.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
D'Artagnan mourns Constance's death at Milady's hands. The Musketeers are scattered and broken, England looms as a threat to France.
Theme
Athos tells D'Artagnan that revenge consumes the soul. "Hatred is a poison that destroys the vessel that contains it."
Worldbuilding
Cardinal Richelieu manipulates political tensions between France and England. Milady operates as his agent. The Musketeers learn of a plot involving the Duke of Buckingham and war preparations.
Disruption
Richelieu orders Milady to England to assassinate the Duke of Buckingham and ignite war between France and England.
Resistance
D'Artagnan debates whether to pursue vengeance against Milady or serve France. The Musketeers argue about duty versus personal vendetta. Athos shares his tragic history with Milady.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
D'Artagnan and the Musketeers choose to travel to England to stop Milady, defying orders and risking treason to prevent war.
Mirror World
Encounter with English allies who believe in honor and justice. They represent the ideals the Musketeers once held before betrayal and loss.
Premise
The Musketeers race through England, facing obstacles and pursuers. Cat-and-mouse game with Milady. Action sequences showcasing swordplay and camaraderie. Infiltration of English court.
Midpoint
Milady successfully manipulates her way close to Buckingham. The Musketeers arrive too late—she has already set her plan in motion. False defeat.
Opposition
Milady stays one step ahead. The Musketeers are branded as French spies. Athos confronts his past. Richelieu's larger conspiracy becomes clear. Tension between revenge and duty intensifies.
Collapse
Buckingham is assassinated. War becomes inevitable. The Musketeers are captured and face execution as traitors and assassins.
Crisis
In captivity, D'Artagnan confronts whether vengeance is worth becoming what he hates. Athos admits his failure to kill Milady when he had the chance cursed them all.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
D'Artagnan realizes Milady can only be stopped by exposing Richelieu's conspiracy, not through personal revenge. The Musketeers escape and choose justice over vengeance.
Synthesis
The Musketeers confront Milady and Richelieu. Final battle combining strategy and swordsmanship. Milady is brought to trial. The conspiracy is exposed to the King.
Transformation
Milady is executed, but D'Artagnan takes no satisfaction. He has learned that justice and revenge are not the same. The Musketeers remain together, forever changed by loss.