Central Intelligence
Calvin Joyner, a mild-mannered accountant whose high school glory days are long behind him, reconnects with an awkward pal from high school through Facebook. After meeting up, Calvin’s mundane life takes an unexpectedly thrilling turn when he's thrust into the world of international espionage.
Despite a respectable budget of $50.0M, Central Intelligence became a solid performer, earning $217.0M worldwide—a 334% return.
2 wins & 8 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%)
Central Intelligence (2016) reveals meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Rawson Marshall Thurber's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Bob Stone (Robbie Weirdicht)
Calvin Joyner
Maggie Johnson
Agent Pamela Harris
Main Cast & Characters
Bob Stone (Robbie Weirdicht)
Played by Dwayne Johnson
Former bullied high schooler turned CIA agent who reunites with his old friend to save the world. Exuberant, skilled, and emotionally vulnerable despite his imposing physique.
Calvin Joyner
Played by Kevin Hart
Former high school golden boy turned dissatisfied accountant who gets pulled into an international espionage mission. Responsible, cautious, and struggling with unfulfilled potential.
Maggie Johnson
Played by Danielle Nicolet
Calvin's supportive wife and a successful attorney. Encourages Calvin to take risks and supports his growth.
Agent Pamela Harris
Played by Amy Ryan
CIA agent hunting Bob Stone, believes he's a rogue agent selling secrets. Determined and by-the-book.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes 1996 high school flashback: Calvin "The Golden Jet" Joyner is the most popular kid, voted most likely to succeed. Robbie Weirdicht is the bullied fat kid who gets thrown naked into the gym during Calvin's speech - Calvin shows him kindness by giving him his letterman jacket.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Bob Stone (the transformed Robbie Weirdicht, now played by Dwayne Johnson) friend-requests Calvin on Facebook and suggests meeting for drinks. Calvin is shocked to see the formerly bullied kid is now a muscular, confident man.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Calvin agrees to help Bob with the "accounting problem" and brings him home. CIA Agent Harris bursts in, revealing Bob is a rogue agent suspected of selling satellite codes and murdering his partner. Calvin is now implicated and must flee with Bob., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False defeat: Agent Harris shows Calvin "evidence" that Bob killed his partner Phil and is selling secrets. Calvin is captured by the CIA and confronted with surveillance footage. He doubts Bob completely and feels betrayed - was their friendship 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 79 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, At the reunion, Calvin realizes Agent Harris is the real Black Badger and traitor. Harris takes Maggie hostage and forces Calvin to decrypt the satellite codes. Calvin feels utterly powerless - his wife is in danger and he betrayed the one friend who believed in him., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Bob crashes through the ceiling to save Calvin. Calvin chooses to trust Bob completely and they partner up as equals. Calvin accepts he needs to be brave in the present, not cling to past glory. They devise a plan together using both their skills., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Central Intelligence'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 Central Intelligence against these established plot points, we can identify how Rawson Marshall Thurber utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Central Intelligence within the action genre.
Rawson Marshall Thurber's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Rawson Marshall Thurber films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Central Intelligence represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Rawson Marshall Thurber filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Rawson Marshall Thurber analyses, see Skyscraper, We're the Millers and Red Notice.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
1996 high school flashback: Calvin "The Golden Jet" Joyner is the most popular kid, voted most likely to succeed. Robbie Weirdicht is the bullied fat kid who gets thrown naked into the gym during Calvin's speech - Calvin shows him kindness by giving him his letterman jacket.
Theme
Calvin's wife Maggie tells him "You can't live in the past" when he obsesses over his high school glory days, establishing the theme about embracing who you are now versus clinging to former identity.
Worldbuilding
Present day: Calvin is a forensic accountant in a cubicle, unfulfilled and living in the shadow of his high school success. His 20-year reunion is approaching. He has a strained relationship with his boss and feels stuck in life despite having a loving wife.
Disruption
Bob Stone (the transformed Robbie Weirdicht, now played by Dwayne Johnson) friend-requests Calvin on Facebook and suggests meeting for drinks. Calvin is shocked to see the formerly bullied kid is now a muscular, confident man.
Resistance
Bob reconnects with Calvin at a bar, acts quirky and obsessed with Calvin's high school coolness. Bob reveals he's in town for work and needs accounting help. Calvin is flattered by Bob's hero worship but unsure about getting involved. Bob demonstrates unexpected combat skills when bar bullies confront them.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Calvin agrees to help Bob with the "accounting problem" and brings him home. CIA Agent Harris bursts in, revealing Bob is a rogue agent suspected of selling satellite codes and murdering his partner. Calvin is now implicated and must flee with Bob.
Mirror World
On the run, Bob opens up about being bullied and how Calvin's one act of kindness changed his life. Their relationship deepens as Bob represents the courage Calvin has lost - Bob transformed himself while Calvin stayed stuck.
Premise
The fun and games: Calvin, the mild-mannered accountant, is thrust into spy adventures with Bob. High-speed chases, breaking into CIA facilities, decrypting codes. Calvin uses his accounting skills while Bob uses brute force. Calvin oscillates between terror and exhilaration.
Midpoint
False defeat: Agent Harris shows Calvin "evidence" that Bob killed his partner Phil and is selling secrets. Calvin is captured by the CIA and confronted with surveillance footage. He doubts Bob completely and feels betrayed - was their friendship a manipulation?
Opposition
Calvin turns against Bob, working with the CIA. Bob escapes custody. Calvin attends his high school reunion trying to return to normal life, but realizes he's changed. The real villain is revealed to be within the CIA. Stakes escalate as the Black Badger identity mystery deepens.
Collapse
At the reunion, Calvin realizes Agent Harris is the real Black Badger and traitor. Harris takes Maggie hostage and forces Calvin to decrypt the satellite codes. Calvin feels utterly powerless - his wife is in danger and he betrayed the one friend who believed in him.
Crisis
Calvin must decide who he really is: the safe accountant who plays it small, or someone who can be brave. He thinks about Bob's transformation and the courage it took. He realizes he's been living in fear of not measuring up to his high school self.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Bob crashes through the ceiling to save Calvin. Calvin chooses to trust Bob completely and they partner up as equals. Calvin accepts he needs to be brave in the present, not cling to past glory. They devise a plan together using both their skills.
Synthesis
Finale: Calvin and Bob work as a true team to take down Harris and his men. Calvin uses his intelligence and newfound courage. Bob uses his strength. They rescue Maggie, recover the codes, and expose Harris. Calvin proves he's more than his past - he's brave in the present.
Transformation
Calvin stands before his high school reunion, no longer clinging to "The Golden Jet" glory days. He introduces Bob as his partner and best friend. Bob reveals Calvin inspired his transformation. Both men have found their true selves - the closing image mirrors the opening but shows growth and mutual respect.