Bon Cop Bad Cop 2
A francophone S.Q. officer and an anglophone O.P.P officer reunite to investigate a large car theft ring led by an Italian mobster.
The film disappointed at the box office against its small-scale budget of $10.0M, earning $7.0M globally (-30% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its bold vision 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%)
Bon Cop Bad Cop 2 (2017) showcases meticulously timed plot construction, characteristic of Alain Desrochers's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 6 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Martin Ward
David Bouchard
Luc Therrien
Suzie
Nathalie
Buttman
Main Cast & Characters
Martin Ward
Played by Colm Feore
Uptight, by-the-book Ontario cop who partners with his opposite to take down a car theft ring threatening national security.
David Bouchard
Played by Patrick Huard
Rough-edged, rule-bending Quebec detective who uses street smarts and charm to fight crime.
Luc Therrien
Played by Marc Beaupré
Main antagonist leading an international car theft operation with terrorist connections.
Suzie
Played by Lucie Laurier
David Bouchard's ex-wife who remains involved in his life and provides emotional grounding.
Nathalie
Played by Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse
Martin Ward's wife who represents his personal life and domestic stability.
Buttman
Played by Erik Knudsen
Quirky tech expert and ally who assists Ward and Bouchard with intelligence and surveillance.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Martin Ward and David Bouchard are living separate lives years after their last case. Ward is teaching at the police academy while Bouchard works narcotics in Montreal. Both have settled into routine careers away from their partnership.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when A major car heist occurs involving a violent confrontation. The theft ring's activities escalate to include terrorism threats. Ward and Bouchard are separately investigating leads that point to the same organization, forcing their paths to cross.. 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 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Ward and Bouchard actively choose to partner up again despite their reservations. They commit to taking down the theft ring together, accepting they need each other's skills and jurisdictional access to succeed., moving from reaction to action.
At 63 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False victory: Ward and Bouchard believe they've identified the mastermind and have a solid plan to take down the operation. They celebrate their progress and renewed partnership. Stakes are raised when they discover the operation is bigger than car theft - it involves international terrorism., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 94 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All is lost: A major setback occurs - possibly a partner is injured, they're taken off the case, or the criminals execute a devastating attack. The partnership fractures under the strain. Ward and Bouchard blame each other. Their different approaches seem irreconcilable., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 100 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Breakthrough: New intelligence reveals the criminals' final plan. Ward and Bouchard reconcile, realizing they must combine their approaches - Ward's methodical planning with Bouchard's improvisation. They synthesize English-Canadian and French-Canadian resources and tactics., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Bon Cop Bad Cop 2's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Bon Cop Bad Cop 2 against these established plot points, we can identify how Alain Desrochers utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Bon Cop Bad Cop 2 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
Martin Ward and David Bouchard are living separate lives years after their last case. Ward is teaching at the police academy while Bouchard works narcotics in Montreal. Both have settled into routine careers away from their partnership.
Theme
A character mentions that "partnership requires trust, even when you don't speak the same language" - foreshadowing the central theme about bridging cultural divides and the power of unlikely partnerships.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of both protagonists' current lives. Ward is shown as a methodical instructor. Bouchard is shown in undercover work. We see their different worlds - Ontario vs Quebec, English vs French. A high-end car theft ring is introduced operating across the border.
Disruption
A major car heist occurs involving a violent confrontation. The theft ring's activities escalate to include terrorism threats. Ward and Bouchard are separately investigating leads that point to the same organization, forcing their paths to cross.
Resistance
Ward and Bouchard resist working together again, citing past conflicts and their different approaches. Their superiors debate pairing them. They argue about jurisdiction and methodology. Both are reluctant to leave their comfortable current positions.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ward and Bouchard actively choose to partner up again despite their reservations. They commit to taking down the theft ring together, accepting they need each other's skills and jurisdictional access to succeed.
Mirror World
The partnership dynamic is re-established with comedic conflict. Their cultural and linguistic differences are highlighted through interactions with witnesses and suspects. A potential romantic subplot or family element is introduced that carries the theme of unity across differences.
Premise
The "fun and games" of the buddy cop premise. Ward and Bouchard pursue leads, engage in car chases, have bilingual banter, clash over methods but make progress. Action sequences showcase their complementary skills. They infiltrate the theft operation and gather intelligence.
Midpoint
False victory: Ward and Bouchard believe they've identified the mastermind and have a solid plan to take down the operation. They celebrate their progress and renewed partnership. Stakes are raised when they discover the operation is bigger than car theft - it involves international terrorism.
Opposition
The criminals prove more sophisticated than expected. Ward and Bouchard's plan falls apart. Their investigation is compromised. Internal politics and bureaucracy work against them. Their partnership is tested by mounting pressure and their personal flaws resurface.
Collapse
All is lost: A major setback occurs - possibly a partner is injured, they're taken off the case, or the criminals execute a devastating attack. The partnership fractures under the strain. Ward and Bouchard blame each other. Their different approaches seem irreconcilable.
Crisis
Dark night of the soul. Ward and Bouchard separately process the failure. They reflect on what their partnership means and what they've learned from each other. Quiet moments of doubt before finding resolve.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Breakthrough: New intelligence reveals the criminals' final plan. Ward and Bouchard reconcile, realizing they must combine their approaches - Ward's methodical planning with Bouchard's improvisation. They synthesize English-Canadian and French-Canadian resources and tactics.
Synthesis
The finale: Ward and Bouchard execute a coordinated operation using their combined strengths. Major action sequences as they infiltrate the criminal operation. They work in perfect bilingual harmony, their cultural differences now an asset. Final confrontation with the antagonists.
Transformation
Closing image mirrors the opening but shows transformation: Ward and Bouchard stand together as true partners, having bridged the Anglo-Franco divide. Their partnership is formalized. They've learned to value their differences rather than fight them.