Blood Father
Self-exiled somewhere in the dusty landscapes on the outskirts of Los Angeles, John Link--a rugged former convict, and now, a tattoo artist struggling to stay sober--sees his quasi-orderly life turn upside down, when he receives a desperate phone call from his estranged daughter, Lydia. On the run from a ruthless Mexican drug cartel, John and Lydia must navigate through a dangerous world of frail allegiances and merciless cut-throats, as they seek shelter in an inhospitable city. Can the grizzled father save his teenage daughter from this nightmare?
The film underperformed commercially against its modest budget of $13.0M, earning $6.9M globally (-47% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unconventional structure 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%)
Blood Father (2016) showcases strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of Jean-François Richet's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 28 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
John Link
Lydia Link
Jonah
Kirby Curtis
Preacher
Main Cast & Characters
John Link
Played by Mel Gibson
An ex-convict and recovering alcoholic tattooist who must protect his estranged daughter from the cartel hunting her.
Lydia Link
Played by Erin Moriarty
John's rebellious teenage daughter who flees from dangerous criminals after witnessing a murder.
Jonah
Played by Diego Luna
The violent young leader of a cartel who pursues Lydia after she becomes a liability to his criminal operation.
Kirby Curtis
Played by William H. Macy
John's sponsor in AA and fellow biker who helps him despite the danger.
Preacher
Played by Michael Parks
A trailer park resident and former military associate who provides John with weapons and tactical support.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes John Link lives a sober, disciplined life in a desert trailer park, working as a tattoo artist and attending AA meetings. He's an ex-con trying to stay clean, estranged from his daughter Lydia.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Lydia calls Link in desperation after witnessing her boyfriend Jonah murder someone. She's wounded, terrified, and being hunted by a drug cartel. Link must choose between his safe, sober life and saving his daughter.. At 11% 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 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Cartel hitmen attack Link's trailer. Link and Lydia fight them off and escape, with Link killing attackers. He's now fully committed to protecting Lydia, abandoning his parole and peaceful life. There's no going back., moving from reaction to action.
At 44 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False defeat: The cartel tracks them to Preacher's compound. A massive shootout ensues. Link realizes Lydia gave away their location trying to contact Jonah, and that she's still emotionally tied to her toxic boyfriend. Stakes escalate dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 66 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Kirby, Link's sponsor and friend, is murdered by the cartel while trying to help. This death weighs heavily on Link - another casualty of his inability to escape his violent past. Link hits his emotional bottom, questioning if he can truly protect anyone., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 70 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Link and Lydia unite with full clarity: they must confront Jonah and the cartel head-on. Link accepts he must use his violent skills one last time, not for himself but for his daughter. Lydia commits to helping her father end this, finally choosing him over Jonah., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Blood Father'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 Blood Father against these established plot points, we can identify how Jean-François Richet utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Blood Father within the action genre.
Jean-François Richet's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Jean-François Richet films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Blood Father takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jean-François Richet filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Jean-François Richet analyses, see Plane, Assault on Precinct 13.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
John Link lives a sober, disciplined life in a desert trailer park, working as a tattoo artist and attending AA meetings. He's an ex-con trying to stay clean, estranged from his daughter Lydia.
Theme
At an AA meeting, another member discusses redemption and second chances, stating that "being a father is about showing up" - establishing the film's theme about parental responsibility and redemption.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Link's world: his trailer park life, his sobriety sponsor Kirby, his tattoo work, his parole restrictions, and the weight of his violent past as a biker gang member. We learn about his estrangement from Lydia.
Disruption
Lydia calls Link in desperation after witnessing her boyfriend Jonah murder someone. She's wounded, terrified, and being hunted by a drug cartel. Link must choose between his safe, sober life and saving his daughter.
Resistance
Link debates whether to get involved, knowing it will jeopardize his parole. He picks up Lydia, treats her gunshot wound, and learns about the cartel and Jonah. Kirby advises him to turn her in, but Link struggles with the choice.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Cartel hitmen attack Link's trailer. Link and Lydia fight them off and escape, with Link killing attackers. He's now fully committed to protecting Lydia, abandoning his parole and peaceful life. There's no going back.
Mirror World
On the run together, Link and Lydia begin rebuilding their relationship. Lydia represents the redemption Link has been seeking - the chance to finally be the father he never was. Their conversation reveals mutual pain and regret.
Premise
The "promise of the premise" - a father and daughter on the run, bonding while evading cartel killers. Link uses his old biker skills and connections to stay ahead. They hide with Link's ex-partner Preacher and his group.
Midpoint
False defeat: The cartel tracks them to Preacher's compound. A massive shootout ensues. Link realizes Lydia gave away their location trying to contact Jonah, and that she's still emotionally tied to her toxic boyfriend. Stakes escalate dramatically.
Opposition
Link and Lydia escape but tensions rise between them. The cartel closes in from all sides. Link contacts his old biker gang for help but they refuse. Jonah uses Lydia's feelings to manipulate her. Link's past catches up as enemies multiply.
Collapse
Kirby, Link's sponsor and friend, is murdered by the cartel while trying to help. This death weighs heavily on Link - another casualty of his inability to escape his violent past. Link hits his emotional bottom, questioning if he can truly protect anyone.
Crisis
Link processes Kirby's death and the weight of all the violence. He has a dark night moment where he almost drinks again. Lydia sees her father's pain and finally understands the cost of redemption and the depth of his love for her.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Link and Lydia unite with full clarity: they must confront Jonah and the cartel head-on. Link accepts he must use his violent skills one last time, not for himself but for his daughter. Lydia commits to helping her father end this, finally choosing him over Jonah.
Synthesis
Link and Lydia execute a plan to draw out Jonah and the cartel. Final confrontation: Link uses his old skills combined with his new purpose (protecting Lydia). They work together as father-daughter. Link kills the cartel members and Jonah in a climactic battle.
Transformation
Link surrenders to police to face consequences for his actions, but he and Lydia have reconciled. She visits him in prison - he has become the father he needed to be. The final image shows Link at peace, having found redemption through sacrifice.