Baywatch
In sun-kissed Emerald Bay, the vigorous Lieutenant Mitch Buchannon and Baywatch, his elite team of hand-picked and perfectly tanned lifeguards, protect the bay, keeping both sunbathers and beach lovers safe. However, this summer, two new eager trainees will join the demanding life-saving program, as well as an insubordinate former Olympic swimmer, who are all called to prove their worth on the lifeguard towers just on time when a new synthetic street drug begins to infest the Emerald Bay: the flakka. Without a doubt, this calls for some serious undercover teamwork action, as the badgeless heroes in spandex comb the beach for shady newcomers and nefarious entrepreneurs with hidden agendas of their own. Can Mitch's band save the bay?
Despite a moderate budget of $69.0M, Baywatch became a commercial success, earning $177.9M worldwide—a 158% return.
5 wins & 11 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%)
Baywatch (2017) reveals carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Seth Gordon's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 56 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Mitch Buchannon
Matt Brody
Summer Quinn
CJ Parker
Ronnie Greenbaum
Victoria Leeds
Stephanie Holden
Main Cast & Characters
Mitch Buchannon
Played by Dwayne Johnson
Legendary lifeguard and leader of the Baywatch team who takes his duty to protect the bay very seriously.
Matt Brody
Played by Zac Efron
Disgraced former Olympic swimmer forced to join Baywatch as community service, initially arrogant and self-centered.
Summer Quinn
Played by Alexandra Daddario
Skilled and ambitious lifeguard trainee who is competent, professional, and dedicated to the job.
CJ Parker
Played by Kelly Rohrbach
Experienced and confident lifeguard who serves as Mitch's right hand and love interest for Matt.
Ronnie Greenbaum
Played by Jon Bass
Awkward, nerdy lifeguard trainee with a hopeless crush on CJ, provides comic relief.
Victoria Leeds
Played by Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Ruthless businesswoman and crime lord who owns the Huntley Club and deals drugs through her empire.
Stephanie Holden
Played by Ilfenesh Hadera
Loyal and capable lifeguard on Mitch's team who supports the investigation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Mitch Buchannon, the legendary Baywatch lieutenant, performs a heroic rescue saving a parasailer tangled in their lines, establishing him as the confident, respected leader of the beach.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when A dead body washes up on the beach during a party at the Huntley Club, covered in unusual puncture marks. Mitch suspects foul play despite police dismissing it as an accidental overdose.. 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Mitch decides to actively investigate Victoria Leeds and the Huntley Club, choosing to go beyond lifeguard duties and pursue the criminal conspiracy, dragging his reluctant team into detective work., moving from reaction to action.
At 57 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Victoria Leeds becomes aware of their investigation and frames Mitch for drug possession. He is arrested and removed from Baywatch, seemingly ending their ability to stop her plan. False defeat., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 87 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Victoria's enforcer kidnaps and attempts to kill several team members by setting a boat on fire. CJ is trapped in flames. The team faces literal death, representing the lowest point and greatest danger., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 92 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. The team synthesizes their lifeguard skills with their investigative evidence. Matt fully commits to the team. They break Mitch out and formulate a plan to catch Victoria red-handed during her final drug transaction., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Baywatch'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 Baywatch against these established plot points, we can identify how Seth Gordon utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Baywatch within the action genre.
Seth Gordon's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Seth Gordon films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Baywatch takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Seth Gordon filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Seth Gordon analyses, see Horrible Bosses, Four Christmases and Identity Thief.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Mitch Buchannon, the legendary Baywatch lieutenant, performs a heroic rescue saving a parasailer tangled in their lines, establishing him as the confident, respected leader of the beach.
Theme
Mitch tells his team that Baywatch is about being a family and looking out for each other - it's not just about being famous or looking good, it's about serving the community.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Baywatch team dynamics, tryouts for new lifeguards, Matt Brody arrives as a disgraced Olympic swimmer with attitude problems, Summer Quinn competes to join the team.
Disruption
A dead body washes up on the beach during a party at the Huntley Club, covered in unusual puncture marks. Mitch suspects foul play despite police dismissing it as an accidental overdose.
Resistance
Mitch begins investigating the death against orders. Matt Brody joins the team reluctantly. Tension builds between Mitch's dedication and Matt's ego. They discover suspicious activity at the Huntley Club owned by Victoria Leeds.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Mitch decides to actively investigate Victoria Leeds and the Huntley Club, choosing to go beyond lifeguard duties and pursue the criminal conspiracy, dragging his reluctant team into detective work.
Mirror World
Matt and Summer begin developing a romantic connection during their investigation work, representing the thematic lesson that teamwork and genuine care for others matters more than individual glory.
Premise
The team goes undercover at the Huntley Club, investigates drug operations, breaks into facilities, and uncovers evidence of Victoria's plan to control the bay through real estate and criminal operations. Comic misadventures as lifeguards play detective.
Midpoint
Victoria Leeds becomes aware of their investigation and frames Mitch for drug possession. He is arrested and removed from Baywatch, seemingly ending their ability to stop her plan. False defeat.
Opposition
With Mitch in custody, the team struggles without their leader. Victoria's plan accelerates. The councilman who could stop her is threatened. Matt must step up but lacks confidence. The team faces escalating danger and intimidation.
Collapse
Victoria's enforcer kidnaps and attempts to kill several team members by setting a boat on fire. CJ is trapped in flames. The team faces literal death, representing the lowest point and greatest danger.
Crisis
After narrowly escaping death, the team regroups in despair. Matt realizes he needs to embrace being part of the team rather than a solo star. They process their fear but find resolve to stop Victoria together.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The team synthesizes their lifeguard skills with their investigative evidence. Matt fully commits to the team. They break Mitch out and formulate a plan to catch Victoria red-handed during her final drug transaction.
Synthesis
The finale rescue and confrontation. The team intercepts Victoria's drug shipment, fights her enforcers, saves the captive councilman, and uses their lifeguard skills in creative ways to defeat the criminals. Police arrive with evidence. Victoria is arrested.
Transformation
Mitch and the team are celebrated on the beach. Matt has transformed from arrogant individual athlete to humble team member. The team is restored and stronger, embodying the theme that serving others and working together trumps individual glory.