After the Sunset
An FBI agent is suspicious of two master thieves, quietly enjoying their retirement near what may - or may not - be the biggest score of their careers.
Working with a mid-range budget of $60.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $61.3M in global revenue (+2% profit margin).
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%)
After the Sunset (2004) demonstrates carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Brett Ratner's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 37 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Max Burdett
Lola Cirillo
Stan Lloyd
Sophie
Henri Mooré
Main Cast & Characters
Max Burdett
Played by Pierce Brosnan
Retired master jewel thief living in paradise, attempting to leave his criminal past behind.
Lola Cirillo
Played by Salma Hayek
Max's partner in crime and love, a skilled thief who shares his dream of retirement.
Stan Lloyd
Played by Woody Harrelson
FBI agent obsessed with catching Max, willing to bend rules to get his man.
Sophie
Played by Naomie Harris
Stan's girlfriend who becomes attracted to the excitement Max and Lola represent.
Henri Mooré
Played by Don Cheadle
Local island businessman with criminal connections who tempts Max with one last job.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Max Burdett and Lola execute a flawless diamond heist in a gleaming skyscraper, demonstrating their mastery as professional thieves. They work in perfect sync, confident and untouchable in their criminal lifestyle.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Stan Lloyd arrives in the Bahamas, immediately suspicious that Max is planning to steal the Napoleon Diamond arriving on a cruise ship. Max's peaceful retirement is disrupted by his past literally showing up on his doorstep.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Max decides to case the cruise ship "just to see if it can be done," lying to Lola about his intentions. He actively chooses to step back into the world of thievery, crossing the line from retired to active., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False victory: Max appears to successfully steal the Napoleon Diamond during a staged diversionary event. Everything seems to be going perfectly according to plan. Stakes raise as he now possesses the prize, but has to keep it hidden from everyone., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 70 minutes (72% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Lola leaves Max, taking their boat and their relationship with her. Max loses what matters most—his partner and love. The "death" here is metaphorical: the death of their relationship and the paradise life they built together. Max is alone, having destroyed his retirement for a diamond., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 77 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Max realizes the diamond is fake—he was conned by Henri Moore who switched it. More importantly, Max understands what he needs to do: team up with Stan honestly, stop Henri, and prove to Lola that he chooses their life together over the score. He synthesizes his skills with newfound integrity., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
After the Sunset'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 After the Sunset against these established plot points, we can identify how Brett Ratner utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish After the Sunset within the action genre.
Brett Ratner's Structural Approach
Among the 9 Brett Ratner films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. After the Sunset represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Brett Ratner filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Brett Ratner analyses, see Rush Hour 2, Tower Heist and Red Dragon.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Max Burdett and Lola execute a flawless diamond heist in a gleaming skyscraper, demonstrating their mastery as professional thieves. They work in perfect sync, confident and untouchable in their criminal lifestyle.
Theme
FBI Agent Stan Lloyd confronts Max after the heist, stating "One more, Max. You'll do one more." The theme: can someone truly leave their old life behind, or will they always be tempted to return to what they do best?
Worldbuilding
Establish Max and Lola's relationship as partners in crime and romance. Show Stan's obsession with catching Max. Seven years pass. Max and Lola now live in apparent retirement in a Bahamas paradise, running a beach bar and enjoying their stolen wealth.
Disruption
Stan Lloyd arrives in the Bahamas, immediately suspicious that Max is planning to steal the Napoleon Diamond arriving on a cruise ship. Max's peaceful retirement is disrupted by his past literally showing up on his doorstep.
Resistance
Max debates whether to pull one last job. Lola insists they're retired and happy. Stan tries to befriend Max while surveilling him. Max is torn between his promise to Lola and his attraction to the challenge. Local gangster Henri Moore also appears, wanting Max to steal the diamond for him.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Max decides to case the cruise ship "just to see if it can be done," lying to Lola about his intentions. He actively chooses to step back into the world of thievery, crossing the line from retired to active.
Mirror World
Max's relationship with Stan deepens as they engage in an odd friendship—fishing, drinking, playing games. Stan represents the straight-and-narrow path Max never took, while Stan is fascinated by Max's freedom and skill. This relationship will teach Max about integrity and friendship beyond the con.
Premise
The fun of watching a master thief at work: Max plans the heist, manipulates security, plays cat-and-mouse with Stan. We enjoy seeing Max's brilliance while he juggles keeping Lola happy, dodging Stan, and resisting Henri's threats. The promise of the premise: seeing an elegant heist unfold in paradise.
Midpoint
False victory: Max appears to successfully steal the Napoleon Diamond during a staged diversionary event. Everything seems to be going perfectly according to plan. Stakes raise as he now possesses the prize, but has to keep it hidden from everyone.
Opposition
Complications intensify: Lola discovers Max's deception and feels betrayed. Stan finds evidence and closes in. Henri Moore threatens violence if Max doesn't hand over the diamond. Max's web of lies collapses as everyone he cares about turns against him. His flaws—addiction to the thrill, dishonesty—catch up with him.
Collapse
Lola leaves Max, taking their boat and their relationship with her. Max loses what matters most—his partner and love. The "death" here is metaphorical: the death of their relationship and the paradise life they built together. Max is alone, having destroyed his retirement for a diamond.
Crisis
Max sits alone in the dark, realizing he's thrown away everything for the thrill of the con. He processes what truly matters: Lola, genuine friendship with Stan, and a real life versus the hollow victory of a perfect crime. The emotional low point before clarity emerges.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Max realizes the diamond is fake—he was conned by Henri Moore who switched it. More importantly, Max understands what he needs to do: team up with Stan honestly, stop Henri, and prove to Lola that he chooses their life together over the score. He synthesizes his skills with newfound integrity.
Synthesis
Max and Stan work together as allies to catch Henri and recover the real diamond. Max uses his thief skills for good, Stan bends the rules for justice. They execute a plan that outsmarts Henri. Max proves he's changed by returning the diamond and choosing Lola over the score.
Transformation
Max and Lola reunited on their boat, sailing into the sunset together—this time for real retirement. Stan watches them go with a smile, having gained a genuine friendship. Max has transformed from someone who couldn't resist the con into someone who chose love and integrity over the score.