Bloodshot
Ray Garrison, an elite soldier who was killed in battle, is brought back to life by an advanced technology that gives him the ability of super human strength and fast healing. With his new abilities, he goes after the man who killed his wife, or at least, who he believes killed his wife. He soon comes to learn that not everything he learns can be trusted. The true question is: Can he even trust himself?
The film underperformed commercially against its respectable budget of $42.0M, earning $39.9M globally (-5% loss).
1 win & 7 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%)
Bloodshot (2020) reveals carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Dave Wilson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 50 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Ray Garrison / Bloodshot
Dr. Emil Harting
KT
Jimmy Dalton
Gina DeCarlo / Gina Garrison
Wilfred Wigans
Main Cast & Characters
Ray Garrison / Bloodshot
Played by Vin Diesel
A soldier killed in action and resurrected with nanotechnology, giving him superhuman abilities but erased memories.
Dr. Emil Harting
Played by Guy Pearce
The creator of the Bloodshot program who manipulates Ray's memories to control him as a weapon.
KT
Played by Eiza González
A former Navy diver with technological implants who becomes Ray's ally and helps him discover the truth.
Jimmy Dalton
Played by Sam Heughan
A technologically enhanced soldier with cybernetic legs who works for Harting and opposes Ray.
Gina DeCarlo / Gina Garrison
Played by Talulah Riley
Ray's wife whose death is used repeatedly as false motivation in his manipulated memories.
Wilfred Wigans
Played by Lamorne Morris
A reclusive tech genius who helps KT and Ray break free from Harting's control.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ray Garrison completes a successful hostage rescue mission in Mombasa, establishing him as an elite Marine soldier at the top of his game.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Ray and Gina are kidnapped by Martin Axe, who tortures Ray for information about the Mombasa operation, then murders Gina and kills Ray.. 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Ray's memories of his wife's murder suddenly return. He chooses to escape Rising Spirit and hunt down Martin Axe to avenge Gina's death., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Ray kills Martin Axe, believing he has avenged his wife. But upon returning to Rising Spirit, his memories are wiped and he wakes up again with no memory—revealing this is all a manipulation., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 82 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Ray realizes Gina is still alive and never died—his entire motivation was a lie. Harting shuts down Ray's nanites remotely, leaving him powerless and "dead" as KT barely escapes with his body., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Wilfred Wigans successfully hacks Ray's nanites, freeing him from Harting's control. Ray chooses to embrace his new identity and use his powers on his own terms to stop Harting., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Bloodshot'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 Bloodshot against these established plot points, we can identify how Dave Wilson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Bloodshot 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
Ray Garrison completes a successful hostage rescue mission in Mombasa, establishing him as an elite Marine soldier at the top of his game.
Theme
Ray's wife Gina asks "What makes you, you?" during their romantic vacation in Italy, introducing the theme of identity and what defines a person beyond their memories.
Worldbuilding
Ray enjoys a romantic reunion with his wife Gina in Amalfi. We see their love, his dedication to her, and establish the life he fights to protect.
Disruption
Ray and Gina are kidnapped by Martin Axe, who tortures Ray for information about the Mombasa operation, then murders Gina and kills Ray.
Resistance
Ray awakens with no memory, resurrected by Dr. Emil Harting with nanite technology. Harting explains Ray's new abilities and introduces him to other enhanced soldiers at Rising Spirit Tech.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ray's memories of his wife's murder suddenly return. He chooses to escape Rising Spirit and hunt down Martin Axe to avenge Gina's death.
Mirror World
Ray encounters KT, a former soldier with cybernetic enhancements who becomes skeptical of his mission and represents an alternative perspective on their shared technological transformation.
Premise
Ray uses his superhuman nanite abilities to track down Martin Axe. Spectacular action sequences showcase his powers of healing and strength as he tears through obstacles to reach his target.
Midpoint
Ray kills Martin Axe, believing he has avenged his wife. But upon returning to Rising Spirit, his memories are wiped and he wakes up again with no memory—revealing this is all a manipulation.
Opposition
The cycle repeats with new false memories and a new target. KT reveals the truth: Harting has been implanting false memories to turn Ray into a weapon to kill his corporate rivals. Ray struggles to know what's real.
Collapse
Ray realizes Gina is still alive and never died—his entire motivation was a lie. Harting shuts down Ray's nanites remotely, leaving him powerless and "dead" as KT barely escapes with his body.
Crisis
KT takes Ray offline to hack his system and free him from Harting's control. Ray grapples with having no real memories and questions whether he's even human anymore or just a weapon.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Wilfred Wigans successfully hacks Ray's nanites, freeing him from Harting's control. Ray chooses to embrace his new identity and use his powers on his own terms to stop Harting.
Synthesis
Ray and KT assault Rising Spirit headquarters. Ray defeats the enhanced soldiers, confronts Harting, and destroys the facility. He demonstrates full control of his nanite abilities, using them creatively and independently.
Transformation
Ray stands overlooking the ocean with KT, at peace with his new identity. He accepts that he may not have his old memories, but he can choose who he wants to be—he is more than his past.