Black Mass
The true story of Whitey Bulger, the brother of a state senator and the most infamous violent criminal in the history of South Boston, who became an FBI informant to take down a Mafia family invading his turf.
Working with a respectable budget of $53.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $100.0M in global revenue (+89% profit margin).
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%)
Black Mass (2015) showcases carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Scott Cooper's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 3 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
James "Whitey" Bulger
John Connolly
Billy Bulger
Stephen Flemmi
Lindsey Cyr
John Morris
Marianne Connolly
Kevin Weeks
Main Cast & Characters
James "Whitey" Bulger
Played by Johnny Depp
Ruthless South Boston crime lord who becomes an FBI informant while consolidating power in the criminal underworld.
John Connolly
Played by Joel Edgerton
Ambitious FBI agent who grew up in South Boston and manipulates his position to protect Bulger while advancing his career.
Billy Bulger
Played by Benedict Cumberbatch
Whitey's brother, a Massachusetts State Senator who maintains public respectability while aware of his brother's criminal activities.
Stephen Flemmi
Played by Rory Cochrane
Bulger's longtime criminal partner and fellow FBI informant in the Winter Hill Gang.
Lindsey Cyr
Played by Dakota Johnson
Bulger's former girlfriend and mother of his son, who represents his capacity for genuine human connection.
John Morris
Played by David Harbour
Connolly's FBI supervisor who becomes complicit in protecting Bulger and later turns state's evidence.
Marianne Connolly
Played by Julianne Nicholson
John Connolly's wife who grows increasingly concerned about her husband's relationship with Bulger.
Kevin Weeks
Played by Jesse Plemons
Bulger's loyal lieutenant and enforcer who eventually testifies against him.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes 1975 South Boston. FBI interrogation reveals the world of informants and criminals. James "Whitey" Bulger controls the streets through fear and loyalty while maintaining his status as a family man and neighborhood fixture.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when FBI Agent John Connolly approaches Whitey with a proposal to become an informant against the Italian Mafia. This threatens everything Whitey stands for - his code against being a "rat" - but offers protection and the elimination of his rivals.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Whitey agrees to become an FBI informant, making a deal with Connolly. He crosses the line he swore never to cross, justifying it as a strategic alliance against a common enemy. The handshake seals his entry into a double life., moving from reaction to action.
At 62 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Whitey's six-year-old son dies from Reye's syndrome. This devastating loss marks the death of Whitey's remaining humanity. The false victory of his criminal success is shattered by personal tragedy, and he becomes colder, more paranoid, and increasingly monstrous., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 92 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Federal indictments are coming. Connolly warns Whitey that he's about to be arrested - his protection has failed. Everything Whitey built is collapsing. The alliance that made him untouchable is ending, and he faces life in prison or death., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 99 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Whitey flees Boston with Theresa Stanley, then later with Catherine Greig. He chooses life as a fugitive over facing justice. This is his final transformation into a hunted rat - the very thing he despised., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Black Mass's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Black Mass against these established plot points, we can identify how Scott Cooper utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Black Mass within the drama genre.
Scott Cooper's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Scott Cooper films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Black Mass takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Scott Cooper filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Scott Cooper analyses, see Crazy Heart, Out of the Furnace and Hostiles.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
1975 South Boston. FBI interrogation reveals the world of informants and criminals. James "Whitey" Bulger controls the streets through fear and loyalty while maintaining his status as a family man and neighborhood fixture.
Theme
John Connolly tells Whitey about loyalty and protecting your own: "We take care of our own." The theme of corrupted loyalty and the blurred line between law enforcement and criminality is established.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Whitey Bulger's criminal empire in South Boston, his relationship with his politician brother Billy, his crew including Stephen Flemmi, and the FBI's struggle with the Italian Mafia. Establishes Whitey's code of conduct and his dual identity as both neighborhood protector and ruthless criminal.
Disruption
FBI Agent John Connolly approaches Whitey with a proposal to become an informant against the Italian Mafia. This threatens everything Whitey stands for - his code against being a "rat" - but offers protection and the elimination of his rivals.
Resistance
Whitey debates the proposal, wrestling with his principles versus pragmatism. Connolly frames it as a "partnership" not informing. The death of Whitey's mother and his son's illness add emotional weight. Whitey tests Connolly's trustworthiness and considers how this alliance could expand his power.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Whitey agrees to become an FBI informant, making a deal with Connolly. He crosses the line he swore never to cross, justifying it as a strategic alliance against a common enemy. The handshake seals his entry into a double life.
Mirror World
Whitey's relationship with his common-law wife Lindsey and his young son deepens. They represent the "normal" life and humanity he's sacrificing. His son's illness mirrors the corruption spreading through Whitey's soul.
Premise
The "fun and games" of being an untouchable criminal. Whitey uses FBI protection to eliminate Italian rivals, expand his empire into drugs and extortion, and operate with impunity. Connolly feeds him information and protects him from investigation. Whitey becomes more powerful and more violent while maintaining his informant status.
Midpoint
Whitey's six-year-old son dies from Reye's syndrome. This devastating loss marks the death of Whitey's remaining humanity. The false victory of his criminal success is shattered by personal tragedy, and he becomes colder, more paranoid, and increasingly monstrous.
Opposition
Whitey spirals into paranoia and violence. He murders potential informants, including his own associates. Federal investigations begin closing in. Connolly becomes more corrupt trying to protect Whitey. The bodies pile up. Other FBI agents grow suspicious of Connolly's relationship with Whitey. The walls begin to close in from all sides.
Collapse
Federal indictments are coming. Connolly warns Whitey that he's about to be arrested - his protection has failed. Everything Whitey built is collapsing. The alliance that made him untouchable is ending, and he faces life in prison or death.
Crisis
Whitey prepares to disappear. He says goodbye to Billy, warning him of the coming storm. The dark realization that his entire empire, all the violence and betrayal, has led to him becoming a fugitive. He must abandon everything he controlled.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Whitey flees Boston with Theresa Stanley, then later with Catherine Greig. He chooses life as a fugitive over facing justice. This is his final transformation into a hunted rat - the very thing he despised.
Synthesis
The aftermath: Connolly is convicted and imprisoned for his corruption. Flemmi and others cooperate with authorities. Whitey remains on the run for 16 years on the FBI's Most Wanted list. The full scope of the murder and corruption is revealed through testimonies.
Transformation
Title cards reveal Whitey was captured in 2011 in Santa Monica and convicted of 11 murders. The man who ruled South Boston through loyalty and fear ends as a convicted murderer and rat - the ultimate betrayal of everything he claimed to stand for.