Bound
Corky, a lesbian ex con hired to work in an apartment as a plumber, meets neighbors Caesar, who launders money for the Mafia, and his girlfriend Violet. The two women have a love affair and decide to steal $2,000,000 that Caesar has in custody before he gives them back to Mafia boss Gino Marzone. Caesar is set up by the two scheming women as a scapegoat but things start to go wrong when he reacts in an unexpected way...
Working with a tight budget of $4.5M, the film achieved a steady performer with $7.0M in global revenue (+56% profit margin).
8 wins & 13 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%)
Bound (1996) reveals carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Lana Wachowski's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 10-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 45 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Corky
Violet
Caesar
Main Cast & Characters
Corky
Played by Gina Gershon
An ex-con plumber hired to renovate an apartment who becomes romantically involved with her neighbor Violet in a scheme to steal mob money.
Violet
Played by Jennifer Tilly
The girlfriend of a mob money launderer who plots with Corky to steal $2 million and escape her dangerous relationship.
Caesar
Played by Joe Pantoliano
Violet's volatile mobster boyfriend who launders money for the Mafia and becomes increasingly unstable when the money goes missing.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Corky works alone fixing an apartment sink, a butch ex-con plumber starting fresh in a world of straight couples and mob money. Her solitary, cautious existence is visually established.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Caesar finds Gino dead and the money gone. Instead of panicking and running as planned, Caesar decides to stay and fix it himself, dramatically raising the stakes. The women's plan is now unraveling., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Caesar discovers Corky next door and ties both women up, gun in hand. The whiff of death: Caesar will kill them both. All seems lost—their plan failed, their lives endangered, their freedom gone., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Violet manipulates Caesar while Corky escapes her bonds. They outmaneuver him together, turning his violence against him. Caesar is killed, the mob arrives to find him with the money, and the women escape with their freedom and fortune., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Bound's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 10 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Bound against these established plot points, we can identify how Lana Wachowski utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Bound within the crime genre.
Lana Wachowski's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Lana Wachowski films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Bound takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Lana Wachowski filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more Lana Wachowski analyses, see The Matrix Resurrections, Speed Racer and The Matrix Revolutions.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Corky works alone fixing an apartment sink, a butch ex-con plumber starting fresh in a world of straight couples and mob money. Her solitary, cautious existence is visually established.
Theme
Violet tells Corky, "I had this image of you inside of me, like a part of me." The theme emerges: identity, desire, and the courage to claim what's hidden inside versus performing what others expect.
Worldbuilding
Corky meets Violet, the mobster's girlfriend next door. We learn Corky's ex-con past, Violet's entrapment with Caesar, and the dangerous mob world they inhabit. Sexual tension builds as Violet aggressively pursues Corky.
Resistance
Violet reveals her entrapment and proposes stealing mob money from Caesar. Corky resists, debating whether to trust Violet or walk away. Violet shares her history and desperation, trying to convince Corky she's genuine.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The heist unfolds. Corky and Violet execute their plan to frame Caesar and steal the mob's money. Suspense builds as they navigate close calls, Caesar's volatility, and the mechanics of their deception.
Midpoint
Caesar finds Gino dead and the money gone. Instead of panicking and running as planned, Caesar decides to stay and fix it himself, dramatically raising the stakes. The women's plan is now unraveling.
Opposition
Caesar grows paranoid and violent, suspecting everyone. He kills Shelly, threatens Violet, and tightens his grip. Corky and Violet are trapped, watching their escape window close as Caesar becomes more dangerous and unpredictable.
Collapse
Caesar discovers Corky next door and ties both women up, gun in hand. The whiff of death: Caesar will kill them both. All seems lost—their plan failed, their lives endangered, their freedom gone.
Crisis
Bound and facing execution, Violet and Corky must decide whether to trust each other completely or betray one another to survive. The darkness of betrayal and death looms as Caesar psychologically tortures them.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Violet manipulates Caesar while Corky escapes her bonds. They outmaneuver him together, turning his violence against him. Caesar is killed, the mob arrives to find him with the money, and the women escape with their freedom and fortune.