Argylle
A reclusive author who writes espionage novels about a secret agent and a global spy syndicate realizes that the plot of the new book she's writing starts to mirror real-world events in real time.
The film box office disappointment against its major studio investment of $200.0M, earning $96.2M globally (-52% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its fresh perspective within the action 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%)
Argylle (2024) demonstrates carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Matthew Vaughn's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 19 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Elly Conway, a reclusive spy novelist, lives a quiet, isolated life with her cat Alfie, writing about the glamorous spy Argylle while avoiding human contact and real-world adventure.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when On a train to visit her mother, Elly is attacked by armed assassins. Real spy Aidan intervenes, revealing that her novels are somehow predicting actual intelligence operations, making her a target.. 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 34 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Elly actively chooses to help Aidan decode her own books to find the masterkey, committing to the spy mission. She can't go home - her old life is gone., moving from reaction to action.
At 70 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Major twist: Elly discovers she IS the real Agent Argylle - her memories were suppressed, her life as a novelist was the cover story. Everything she thought was fiction was actually suppressed memory. False defeat: her entire identity is a lie., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 103 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Elly is captured by the Division, her mother Ruth is revealed as a villain who helped suppress her memories, and Aidan is apparently killed. Elly loses everything: her identity, her family trust, her partner, and her sense of what's real., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 110 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Elly synthesizes both identities: she embraces her spy skills while retaining the empathy and imagination of the writer. Aidan is alive. She realizes she can be both the creative novelist and the capable agent - they're not contradictions but complementary truths., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Argylle's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Argylle against these established plot points, we can identify how Matthew Vaughn utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Argylle within the action genre.
Matthew Vaughn's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Matthew Vaughn films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Argylle represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Matthew Vaughn filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Matthew Vaughn analyses, see The King's Man, Stardust and Kick-Ass.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Elly Conway, a reclusive spy novelist, lives a quiet, isolated life with her cat Alfie, writing about the glamorous spy Argylle while avoiding human contact and real-world adventure.
Theme
Elly's mother Ruth tells her "The greater the spy, the bigger the lie" - establishing the theme of truth versus fiction, and how deception shapes identity.
Worldbuilding
We see Elly's world: her successful book series about Agent Argylle, her close relationship with her mother, her anxieties about travel and people, and her upcoming book tour. We also see glimpses of the fictional Argylle world.
Disruption
On a train to visit her mother, Elly is attacked by armed assassins. Real spy Aidan intervenes, revealing that her novels are somehow predicting actual intelligence operations, making her a target.
Resistance
Aidan tries to convince Elly that she's in real danger and must help him find "the masterkey" before the Division does. Elly resists, disbelieves, and wants to return to her safe life. Action sequences force her to trust Aidan.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Elly actively chooses to help Aidan decode her own books to find the masterkey, committing to the spy mission. She can't go home - her old life is gone.
Mirror World
Elly and Aidan begin developing a genuine connection beyond the mission. Their partnership represents a collaboration between imagination (fiction) and reality (action), mirroring the film's central theme.
Premise
The "promise of the premise" - watching a novelist turned real spy navigate actual espionage using her fictional knowledge. Globe-trotting action, decoding clues from her books, elaborate set pieces blending fantasy Argylle sequences with gritty reality.
Midpoint
Major twist: Elly discovers she IS the real Agent Argylle - her memories were suppressed, her life as a novelist was the cover story. Everything she thought was fiction was actually suppressed memory. False defeat: her entire identity is a lie.
Opposition
The Division closes in as Elly struggles with her fractured identity. Director Ritter manipulates her recovered memories. Aidan's loyalty becomes unclear. The masterkey's true nature and Elly's real past create mounting complications and betrayals.
Collapse
Elly is captured by the Division, her mother Ruth is revealed as a villain who helped suppress her memories, and Aidan is apparently killed. Elly loses everything: her identity, her family trust, her partner, and her sense of what's real.
Crisis
Elly faces her dark night - imprisoned and alone, processing the magnitude of betrayal, questioning whether the novelist or the spy is her true self, mourning the loss of Aidan and the mother she thought she knew.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Elly synthesizes both identities: she embraces her spy skills while retaining the empathy and imagination of the writer. Aidan is alive. She realizes she can be both the creative novelist and the capable agent - they're not contradictions but complementary truths.
Synthesis
Elly and Aidan execute an elaborate finale to stop the Division, secure the masterkey, and confront Ritter and Ruth. Elly uses both her combat training and creative problem-solving, fully integrated as herself.
Transformation
Elly is no longer isolated or afraid. She continues writing but now lives fully in the real world, in a relationship with Aidan, having integrated her fictional imagination with authentic lived experience and connection.