Battleship
When mankind beams a radio signal into space, a reply comes from ‘Planet G’, in the form of several alien crafts that splash down in the waters off Hawaii. Lieutenant Alex Hopper is a weapons officer assigned to the USS John Paul Jones, part of an international naval coalition which becomes the world's last hope for survival as they engage the hostile alien force of unimaginable strength. While taking on the invaders, Hopper must also try to live up to the potential that his brother, and his fiancée's father—an Admiral—expect of him.
Working with a massive budget of $209.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $303.0M in global revenue (+45% profit margin).
4 wins & 16 nominations
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%)
Battleship (2012) exhibits deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Peter Berg's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 11 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Alex Hopper
Sam Shane
Stone Hopper
Captain Yugi Nagata
Mick Canales
Admiral Shane
Lieutenant Colonel Mick Canales
Jimmy "Ordy" Ord
Main Cast & Characters
Alex Hopper
Played by Taylor Kitsch
A reckless naval officer who must step up to lead when aliens attack during a naval exercise.
Sam Shane
Played by Brooklyn Decker
A physical therapist and Admiral Shane's daughter who becomes involved in the alien invasion.
Stone Hopper
Played by Alexander Skarsgård
Alex's responsible older brother and commanding officer who tries to keep him in line.
Captain Yugi Nagata
Played by Tadanobu Asano
A Japanese naval officer and Alex's rival who becomes an essential ally during the alien attack.
Mick Canales
Played by Rihanna
A weapons specialist on the USS John Paul Jones who provides crucial tactical support.
Admiral Shane
Played by Liam Neeson
Commander of the Pacific Fleet and Sam's father who disapproves of Alex's relationship with his daughter.
Lieutenant Colonel Mick Canales
Played by Gregory D. Gadson
A retired Army veteran who lost his legs in combat and helps defend against the alien threat.
Jimmy "Ordy" Ord
Played by Jesse Plemons
A petty officer and radar operator on the USS John Paul Jones.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Alex Hopper is a directionless slacker getting drunk at a bar on his birthday while his successful brother Stone lectures him about wasting his potential.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Admiral Shane tells Alex he's kicking him out of the Navy after the exercises due to his continued misconduct, threatening Alex's relationship with Sam and his future.. 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 32 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to The alien ships emerge from the ocean and create an impenetrable barrier around Hawaii, trapping Alex's destroyer and two other ships inside. The Navy must investigate and respond to this unprecedented threat., moving from reaction to action.
At 66 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Stone's destroyer is obliterated by the aliens and he dies, leaving Alex as the ranking officer. Alex must step up to command despite feeling completely unprepared and grief-stricken., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 97 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The last destroyer is destroyed, leaving Alex with no ship and no way to stop the aliens from reaching the communications array. All seems lost as the aliens are about to signal for invasion., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 104 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Alex realizes they can restore and crew the decommissioned USS Missouri battleship with WWII veterans, combining old-school tactics with new purpose to make one final stand., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Battleship'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 Battleship against these established plot points, we can identify how Peter Berg utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Battleship within the thriller genre.
Peter Berg's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Peter Berg films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Battleship takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Peter Berg filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional thriller films include The Warriors, Thunderball and Rustom. For more Peter Berg analyses, see The Rundown, Friday Night Lights and Hancock.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Alex Hopper is a directionless slacker getting drunk at a bar on his birthday while his successful brother Stone lectures him about wasting his potential.
Theme
Stone tells Alex "You're gonna end up in jail or dead" if he doesn't find discipline and purpose—establishing the theme of taking responsibility and proving one's worth.
Worldbuilding
Alex breaks into a convenience store to impress Samantha, gets arrested, and Stone forces him to join the Navy. Flash forward to RIMPAC exercises where Alex is now a lieutenant but still reckless and undisciplined, dating Admiral Shane's daughter Sam.
Disruption
Admiral Shane tells Alex he's kicking him out of the Navy after the exercises due to his continued misconduct, threatening Alex's relationship with Sam and his future.
Resistance
Alex debates his future during the RIMPAC exercises, gets into a fight with Japanese Captain Nagata during a soccer match, and reluctantly prepares for what may be his last mission while alien probes arrive on Earth.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The alien ships emerge from the ocean and create an impenetrable barrier around Hawaii, trapping Alex's destroyer and two other ships inside. The Navy must investigate and respond to this unprecedented threat.
Mirror World
Alex must work alongside his rival Captain Nagata when their ships attempt to make contact with the alien vessels, forcing cooperation between former enemies.
Premise
The naval forces engage in combat with the technologically superior alien ships, discovering the aliens' vulnerabilities and tactics while suffering devastating losses including the destruction of Stone's ship.
Midpoint
Stone's destroyer is obliterated by the aliens and he dies, leaving Alex as the ranking officer. Alex must step up to command despite feeling completely unprepared and grief-stricken.
Opposition
Alex struggles to lead the remaining crew and work with Nagata while the aliens advance toward their communication satellite. Sam and veterans battle aliens on land to prevent them from signaling their home planet.
Collapse
The last destroyer is destroyed, leaving Alex with no ship and no way to stop the aliens from reaching the communications array. All seems lost as the aliens are about to signal for invasion.
Crisis
Alex and the survivors face their darkest moment, mourning their losses and contemplating defeat until inspiration strikes from an unexpected source.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Alex realizes they can restore and crew the decommissioned USS Missouri battleship with WWII veterans, combining old-school tactics with new purpose to make one final stand.
Synthesis
Alex leads the combined crew of Navy personnel and veterans in the Missouri, using WWII-era anchor-turn tactics and working in perfect coordination with Nagata to destroy the alien ships and save Earth.
Transformation
Alex receives the Silver Star and his brother's honor, having proven himself as a leader. Admiral Shane gives his blessing for Alex to marry Sam, acknowledging Alex's transformation from reckless slacker to hero.