Bushwhacked
As Max is on the job making a delivery, he finds out that the guy who hired him was using him to move money around--and that he is dead. Afraid that the police will think he is the killer, Max flees, and gets forced to pose as a Scout leader for a bunch of kids hiking through the mountains as the police pursue him.
The film earned $7.9M at the global box office.
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%)
Bushwhacked (1995) reveals deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Greg Beeman's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 10-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 30 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Max Grabelski
FBI Agent Palmer
Miss Knatz
Ives
Kelsey
Ralph
Gordy
Main Cast & Characters
Max Grabelski
Played by Daniel Stern
A bumbling delivery driver wrongly accused of murder who goes on the run and poses as a scout leader to evade capture.
FBI Agent Palmer
Played by Jon Polito
A determined FBI agent pursuing Max, convinced he is a dangerous criminal.
Miss Knatz
Played by Brad Sullivan
The earnest, caring den mother who accompanies the scouts on their wilderness trip.
Ives
Played by Tom Wood
The actual murderer and jewel thief who framed Max for his crimes.
Kelsey
Played by Blake Bashoff
An enthusiastic and resourceful scout who becomes close to Max during the wilderness adventure.
Ralph
Played by Corey Carrier
A smart, analytical scout with a skeptical attitude toward Max initially.
Gordy
Played by Anthony Heald
An overweight, food-loving scout who provides comic relief.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Max Grabelski, a bumbling delivery driver, is shown in his ordinary world making deliveries and trying to charm his way through life with his fast-talking personality.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Max is framed for murder when he discovers his boss dead and becomes the prime suspect. He must flee with criminals after him and police on his tail.. 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 Collapse moment at 68 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Max's true identity is revealed to the kids and the woman he cares about. He loses their trust completely, and the criminals capture him. Everything falls apart., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 73 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Max confronts the criminals, protects the kids using real leadership and bravery, clears his name, and proves he has genuinely changed from the person he was., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Bushwhacked'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 Bushwhacked against these established plot points, we can identify how Greg Beeman utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Bushwhacked within the adventure genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Max Grabelski, a bumbling delivery driver, is shown in his ordinary world making deliveries and trying to charm his way through life with his fast-talking personality.
Theme
A character mentions that "sometimes you have to be someone you're not to become who you really are," hinting at the theme of false identity leading to genuine growth.
Worldbuilding
We see Max's world as a delivery man, his tendency to get into trouble, and the setup of a criminal plot involving stolen diamonds that Max unknowingly becomes entangled with.
Disruption
Max is framed for murder when he discovers his boss dead and becomes the prime suspect. He must flee with criminals after him and police on his tail.
Resistance
Max debates his options while on the run. He struggles with whether to turn himself in or keep running, eventually deciding he needs a disguise and cover story.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The "fish out of water" fun as Max, who knows nothing about camping or kids, tries to fake his way through wilderness survival while bonding with the scouts and evading capture.
Opposition
The criminals close in on Max's location, the kids start to suspect something is wrong, and his lies become harder to maintain. External and internal pressure mounts.
Collapse
Max's true identity is revealed to the kids and the woman he cares about. He loses their trust completely, and the criminals capture him. Everything falls apart.
Crisis
Max faces the consequences of his deception. He must confront who he really is versus who he pretended to be, experiencing genuine remorse and the desire to protect the kids.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Max confronts the criminals, protects the kids using real leadership and bravery, clears his name, and proves he has genuinely changed from the person he was.