A Fistful of Fingers
A comic western about a cowboy who seeks a wanted and evil man who caused for the death of his beloved horse Easy.
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%)
A Fistful of Fingers (1995) showcases deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Edgar Wright's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 25 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
The Running Man
The Squint
The Preacher
Main Cast & Characters
The Running Man
Played by Graham Low
A cowboy seeking revenge for his horse being stolen, tracking the villain across the Old West
The Squint
Played by Martin Curtis
The villainous antagonist who stole the hero's horse, a dangerous outlaw with a distinctive squint
The Preacher
Played by Oli van der Vijver
A wandering religious figure who provides comic relief and occasional wisdom
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The Running Man establishes himself as a wandering cowboy in the Old West, showcasing his simple life before conflict arrives.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when The villain kills the Running Man's brother, creating a personal vendetta that disrupts his peaceful existence.. At 11% 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 19 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 22% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to The Running Man actively chooses to pursue the villain, leaving town to hunt down his brother's killer., moving from reaction to action.
At 38 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 45% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Significantly, this crucial beat The Running Man has a confrontation with the villain but fails to capture him, raising the stakes and personal investment., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 57 minutes (67% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Running Man is defeated and humiliated by the villain, losing hope and questioning whether revenge is worth the cost., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 61 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 72% of the runtime. The Running Man gains new resolve, synthesizing lessons from his allies with his determination to face the villain one final time., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
A Fistful of Fingers's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping A Fistful of Fingers against these established plot points, we can identify how Edgar Wright utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish A Fistful of Fingers within the comedy genre.
Edgar Wright's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Edgar Wright films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 5.4, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. A Fistful of Fingers represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Edgar Wright filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Edgar Wright analyses, see Shaun of the Dead, Last Night in Soho and Baby Driver.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The Running Man establishes himself as a wandering cowboy in the Old West, showcasing his simple life before conflict arrives.
Theme
A character mentions that vengeance and violence only breed more suffering, hinting at the thematic exploration of revenge cycles.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the comic Western world, the Running Man's relationships, and the lawless frontier setting with its eccentric characters.
Disruption
The villain kills the Running Man's brother, creating a personal vendetta that disrupts his peaceful existence.
Resistance
The Running Man debates whether to seek revenge, receives advice from various townsfolk, and reluctantly prepares for his quest.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The Running Man actively chooses to pursue the villain, leaving town to hunt down his brother's killer.
Mirror World
The Running Man encounters allies and a potential love interest who represent an alternative to his revenge-driven path.
Premise
Comic Western adventures ensue as the Running Man tracks the villain through various frontier encounters and slapstick situations.
Midpoint
The Running Man has a confrontation with the villain but fails to capture him, raising the stakes and personal investment.
Opposition
The villain becomes more dangerous and elusive, the Running Man's allies are threatened, and his quest becomes increasingly difficult.
Collapse
The Running Man is defeated and humiliated by the villain, losing hope and questioning whether revenge is worth the cost.
Crisis
The Running Man contemplates giving up his quest entirely, processing his failure and reconsidering his motivations.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The Running Man gains new resolve, synthesizing lessons from his allies with his determination to face the villain one final time.
Synthesis
The final showdown where the Running Man confronts the villain, executing his plan and resolving the revenge quest through climactic action.
Transformation
The Running Man, having completed his quest, is shown in a transformed state, suggesting growth beyond his initial revenge motivation.