Bandidas
When a ruthless robber baron takes away everything they cherish, a rough-and-tumble, idealistic peasant and a sophisticated heiress embark on a quest for justice, vengeance…and a few good heists.
The film disappointed at the box office against its moderate budget of $35.0M, earning $18.4M globally (-47% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its compelling narrative 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%)
Bandidas (2006) exemplifies deliberately positioned dramatic framework, characteristic of Espen Sandberg'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 7.7, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
María Álvarez
Sara Sandoval
Quentin Cooke
Tyler Jackson
Bill Buck
Main Cast & Characters
María Álvarez
Played by Penélope Cruz
A peasant farm girl whose family's land is stolen by a greedy banker, leading her to become a bank robber seeking justice and revenge.
Sara Sandoval
Played by Salma Hayek
A cultured banker's daughter educated in Europe who joins forces with María after her father is killed by the same corrupt banker.
Quentin Cooke
Played by Steve Zahn
A brilliant but clumsy American forensics scientist who teaches the two women how to be effective bank robbers while developing romantic feelings.
Tyler Jackson
Played by Dwight Yoakam
A ruthless and greedy banker who seizes land from farmers and orchestrates murder to expand his control over Mexico.
Bill Buck
Played by Sam Shepard
Jackson's violent and intimidating enforcer who carries out the banker's dirty work with cold efficiency.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Opening image establishes two contrasting worlds: Maria Alvarez living in wealth and privilege on her father's estate, while Sara Sandoval enjoys simple happiness with her peasant father at their small bank. Both women are content in their respective ordinary worlds before everything changes.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Tyler Jackson's men murder Sara's father when he refuses to sell his bank, and separately, Maria's father is killed during a bank robbery orchestrated by Jackson. Both women lose their fathers and everything they knew in violent, life-shattering events.. 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 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Maria and Sara make the active choice to become partners and learn to be bandits together. They break out of jail and commit to their new identities as outlaws seeking justice. This is their irreversible decision to leave their old worlds behind., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False victory: The bandidas successfully rob Jackson's major bank shipment and humiliate him publicly. They're at the height of their fame and confidence. But the stakes raise as Jackson becomes personally obsessed with destroying them, and romantic tensions emerge as both women love Quentin., 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 (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Quentin is captured and scheduled for execution. The women's partnership has completely dissolved in bitter recrimination. They are separated, alone, and powerless. Their mentor/love interest faces death, representing the death of their dream and their failure to transcend their differences. All is lost., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 75 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Maria and Sara reconcile and forge a new plan that combines Maria's social graces with Sara's street smarts. They synthesize their different skills and backgrounds into a unified strategy. Armed with renewed partnership and clarity of purpose, they prepare for the final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Bandidas'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 Bandidas against these established plot points, we can identify how Espen Sandberg utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Bandidas 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
Opening image establishes two contrasting worlds: Maria Alvarez living in wealth and privilege on her father's estate, while Sara Sandoval enjoys simple happiness with her peasant father at their small bank. Both women are content in their respective ordinary worlds before everything changes.
Theme
Sara's father tells her that "the world is changing" and that they must adapt or be swept away. This foreshadows the film's themes of female empowerment, class solidarity, and fighting injustice together despite differences.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to 1880s Mexico, the banking system, and the arrival of Tyler Jackson representing the corrupt New York Bank. We see Maria's sheltered life of etiquette and refinement, contrasted with Sara's practical skills and close relationship with her father. The stage is set for the railroad expansion and banking takeover.
Disruption
Tyler Jackson's men murder Sara's father when he refuses to sell his bank, and separately, Maria's father is killed during a bank robbery orchestrated by Jackson. Both women lose their fathers and everything they knew in violent, life-shattering events.
Resistance
Both women separately attempt revenge but fail due to inexperience. Sara tries to rob a bank but is incompetent; Maria attempts to shoot Jackson but can't follow through. They meet in jail, initially as enemies from different classes. They debate whether to work together, with mutual suspicion and class prejudice.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Maria and Sara make the active choice to become partners and learn to be bandits together. They break out of jail and commit to their new identities as outlaws seeking justice. This is their irreversible decision to leave their old worlds behind.
Mirror World
The women encounter Quentin Cooke, a bumbling American bank robber, who becomes their unlikely mentor and love interest subplot. He represents the thematic mirror: a criminal with a code of honor who will teach them that revenge must be balanced with justice and partnership.
Premise
The "fun and games" of two women learning to be bandits. Quentin trains them in robbery, shooting, and tactics. Comic sequences of their growing competence and partnership. They rob banks, develop their signature style, and become folk heroes as "Las Bandidas." The promise of the premise: unlikely female outlaws taking on corruption.
Midpoint
False victory: The bandidas successfully rob Jackson's major bank shipment and humiliate him publicly. They're at the height of their fame and confidence. But the stakes raise as Jackson becomes personally obsessed with destroying them, and romantic tensions emerge as both women love Quentin.
Opposition
Jackson intensifies his manhunt with European mercenaries. The partnership fractures as Maria and Sara fight over Quentin, reverting to class prejudices and mutual resentment. Their personal conflict makes them vulnerable. Jackson closes in, setting elaborate traps. The bad guys gain ground as the heroines' flaws threaten everything.
Collapse
Quentin is captured and scheduled for execution. The women's partnership has completely dissolved in bitter recrimination. They are separated, alone, and powerless. Their mentor/love interest faces death, representing the death of their dream and their failure to transcend their differences. All is lost.
Crisis
Dark night of the soul as both women separately process their failure and loss. They realize their partnership and friendship matter more than their egos or romantic rivalry. They understand that together they are stronger than apart, and that their true enemy is Jackson, not each other.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Maria and Sara reconcile and forge a new plan that combines Maria's social graces with Sara's street smarts. They synthesize their different skills and backgrounds into a unified strategy. Armed with renewed partnership and clarity of purpose, they prepare for the final confrontation.
Synthesis
The finale: The bandidas execute an elaborate heist to rescue Quentin and expose Jackson's crimes. They use both feminine wiles and bandit skills, infiltrating the execution and turning it into a public revelation of Jackson's corruption. Epic action sequence culminating in Jackson's defeat and the restoration of justice.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening: The two women ride together as partners and friends, no longer divided by class. They've transformed from sheltered daughter and simple peasant into empowered outlaws who changed their world. They ride off to continue their adventures, transformed and free.