Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever
Jonathan Ecks, an FBI agent, realizes that he must join with his lifelong enemy, Agent Sever, a rogue DIA agent with whom he is in mortal combat, in order to defeat a common enemy. That enemy has developed a "micro-device" that can be injected into victims in order to kill them at will.
The film financial setback against its mid-range budget of $70.0M, earning $19.9M globally (-72% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unique voice 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%)
Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever (2002) exhibits deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Wych Kaosayananda's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 31 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Sever
Jeremiah Ecks
Robert Gant
Julio Martin
Main Cast & Characters
Sever
Played by Lucy Liu
A highly skilled former DIA agent seeking revenge and to protect her son from her former employers.
Jeremiah Ecks
Played by Antonio Banderas
An FBI agent pulled back into service to stop Sever while dealing with personal loss and deception.
Robert Gant
Played by Gregg Henry
A corrupt DIA official and Sever's former handler who manipulated both agents for his own agenda.
Julio Martin
Played by Miguel Sandoval
Ecks' former partner and friend in the FBI who tries to help him through his mission.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes FBI agent Jeremiah Ecks is shown in his former life as a successful agent before losing his wife in an explosion, now living as a broken man in isolation.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Sever kidnaps the young son of DIA agent Robert Gant, triggering a massive manhunt. Ecks is pulled out of retirement by his former colleague to track down the assassin.. 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.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Ecks learns the devastating truth: Gant is the real villain who orchestrated his wife's "death" and has been manipulating everyone. The boy Sever kidnapped is actually her son, stolen by Gant., 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 (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, A major confrontation results in apparent failure as Gant escapes with the child and Ecks' wife is revealed to be held by Gant. All seems lost as their enemy holds all the cards., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 73 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The final assault on Gant's facility. Ecks and Sever fight through his forces in explosive action sequences, rescue the hostages, and confront Gant in a climactic showdown that ends with his defeat., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever against these established plot points, we can identify how Wych Kaosayananda utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
FBI agent Jeremiah Ecks is shown in his former life as a successful agent before losing his wife in an explosion, now living as a broken man in isolation.
Theme
A character states that "everyone has their reasons" for their actions, hinting at the theme of revenge and hidden motivations driving people to extreme measures.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the world of espionage and covert operations. Sever is shown as a deadly assassin conducting brutal operations. The DIA and FBI worlds are established along with the Vancouver setting.
Disruption
Sever kidnaps the young son of DIA agent Robert Gant, triggering a massive manhunt. Ecks is pulled out of retirement by his former colleague to track down the assassin.
Resistance
Ecks reluctantly agrees to help when told his supposedly dead wife may still be alive. He's briefed on Sever and begins investigating, while Sever continues her mysterious agenda with the kidnapped child.
Act II
ConfrontationMirror World
Ecks discovers information about Sever's past and her connection to Gant. The parallel between Ecks and Sever emerges - both are driven by personal loss and betrayal.
Premise
The cat-and-mouse game between Ecks and Sever intensifies with multiple action sequences and confrontations. Each learns more about the other while the mystery of the kidnapped child and hidden agendas deepens.
Midpoint
Ecks learns the devastating truth: Gant is the real villain who orchestrated his wife's "death" and has been manipulating everyone. The boy Sever kidnapped is actually her son, stolen by Gant.
Opposition
Ecks and Sever form an uneasy alliance against Gant and his forces. They face increasing attacks from Gant's operatives and the DIA. Trust builds slowly as they work together while being hunted.
Collapse
A major confrontation results in apparent failure as Gant escapes with the child and Ecks' wife is revealed to be held by Gant. All seems lost as their enemy holds all the cards.
Crisis
Ecks and Sever regroup in the darkness of their failure, processing the scope of Gant's deception and what they've each lost. They must find new resolve to continue.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The final assault on Gant's facility. Ecks and Sever fight through his forces in explosive action sequences, rescue the hostages, and confront Gant in a climactic showdown that ends with his defeat.