Bait
A freak tsunami traps shoppers at a coastal Australian supermarket inside the building ... along with a 12-foot great white shark.
The film disappointed at the box office against its mid-range budget of $33.5M, earning $32.5M globally (-3% loss).
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%)
Bait (2012) exemplifies strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Kimble Rendall's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 33 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Josh
Tina
Doyle
Jaymes
Kirby
Rory
Bully
Jaimie
Main Cast & Characters
Josh
Played by Xavier Samuel
A former lifeguard haunted by guilt over his friend's death, trying to survive and protect others in the flooded supermarket.
Tina
Played by Sharni Vinson
Josh's ex-girlfriend who still has feelings for him, working at the supermarket when disaster strikes.
Doyle
Played by Julian McMahon
A grocery store manager who takes charge during the crisis, focused on survival and maintaining order.
Jaymes
Played by Phoebe Tonkin
A young woman trapped in the supermarket, Doyle's girlfriend who must overcome her fears.
Kirby
Played by Alex Russell
Tina's new boyfriend, a police officer dealing with jealousy and the survival situation.
Rory
Played by Richard Brancatisano
A criminal attempting to rob the supermarket when the tsunami hits, forced to cooperate for survival.
Bully
Played by Lincoln Lewis
Rory's armed robbery partner, unpredictable and dangerous even as the group faces sharks.
Jaimie
Played by Alice Parkinson
A young shoplifter caught in the disaster, representing innocence among the chaos.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Josh and his girlfriend Tina enjoy a romantic beach day while lifeguard Josh plans their future together. Carefree paradise moment establishes Josh as confident and optimistic.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Massive tsunami hits the coastal town without warning, flooding the supermarket and trapping everyone inside. The water brings great white sharks into the store. Josh's mundane life is shattered by catastrophic disaster.. At 10% 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 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Josh decides to actively help the group survive rather than remain passive. He chooses to face his fears and lead, accepting responsibility for keeping everyone alive despite his past failure., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat The group discovers a potential escape route through the air vents, but their first attempt results in a brutal shark attack that kills one of the survivors. What seemed like hope becomes a deadly false victory. Stakes raise dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Tina is dragged underwater by a shark in front of Josh, exactly mirroring how he lost his girlfriend in the opening. Josh is paralyzed by the same failure repeating itself. His worst fear realized - he couldn't save her again. Death of hope., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 73 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 78% of the runtime. Josh realizes Tina is still alive and fighting. This second chance, combined with understanding that survival requires letting go of guilt and fear, gives him clarity. He synthesizes his lifeguard training with hard-won lessons from the disaster to formulate final plan., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Bait's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Bait against these established plot points, we can identify how Kimble Rendall utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Bait within the horror genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Josh and his girlfriend Tina enjoy a romantic beach day while lifeguard Josh plans their future together. Carefree paradise moment establishes Josh as confident and optimistic.
Theme
Josh's friend Rory jokes about taking risks and living in the moment. The theme of survival requiring courage and letting go of the past is introduced through casual beach banter.
Worldbuilding
Establishes Josh and Tina's relationship, introduces best friend Rory. Shifts to present day showing Josh now working at a supermarket, depressed and distant. His ex-girlfriend Tina arrives with new boyfriend. Shows Josh hasn't moved on from past tragedy.
Disruption
Massive tsunami hits the coastal town without warning, flooding the supermarket and trapping everyone inside. The water brings great white sharks into the store. Josh's mundane life is shattered by catastrophic disaster.
Resistance
Survivors assess their situation and debate what to do. Josh reluctantly takes charge. Group discovers they're trapped with sharks in the flooded store. Tina is injured. Arguments about whether to stay put or try to escape. Josh hesitates to lead due to guilt over past.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Josh decides to actively help the group survive rather than remain passive. He chooses to face his fears and lead, accepting responsibility for keeping everyone alive despite his past failure.
Mirror World
Josh reconnects with Tina while treating her wounds. Their shared history and her faith in him represents the relationship that will force Josh to confront his guilt and rediscover his courage. She reminds him of who he used to be.
Premise
Survival thriller escalates as group attempts various escape plans. Sharks attack and kill some survivors. Josh uses ingenuity to navigate the flooded store. Explores vertical spaces, tries to signal for help. The premise of "trapped in supermarket with sharks" delivers tense set pieces.
Midpoint
The group discovers a potential escape route through the air vents, but their first attempt results in a brutal shark attack that kills one of the survivors. What seemed like hope becomes a deadly false victory. Stakes raise dramatically.
Opposition
Sharks become more aggressive and coordinated. Group fragments as selfishness and panic take over. Attempted robbery complicates survival. Josh's plans keep failing. Water level changes create new dangers. His past trauma resurfaces as he struggles to save everyone.
Collapse
Tina is dragged underwater by a shark in front of Josh, exactly mirroring how he lost his girlfriend in the opening. Josh is paralyzed by the same failure repeating itself. His worst fear realized - he couldn't save her again. Death of hope.
Crisis
Josh retreats into despair, ready to give up. Believes he's cursed to fail everyone he cares about. Processes the emotional weight of loss and guilt. Dark night where he must choose between surrender and fighting back despite repeated trauma.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Josh realizes Tina is still alive and fighting. This second chance, combined with understanding that survival requires letting go of guilt and fear, gives him clarity. He synthesizes his lifeguard training with hard-won lessons from the disaster to formulate final plan.
Synthesis
Josh executes desperate plan to kill the sharks and escape the flooding supermarket. Confronts the great white directly using makeshift weapons and the store environment. Saves Tina and remaining survivors. Final battle combines courage, sacrifice, and ingenuity. Flood waters recede.
Transformation
Josh and Tina emerge from the wreckage together, alive and reconciled. Josh has transformed from guilt-ridden and passive to courageous leader who faced his trauma. The closing image mirrors the opening beach scene but now he's proven he can protect those he loves.