Centurion
Britain, A.D. 117. Quintus Dias, the sole survivor of a Pictish raid on a Roman frontier fort, marches north with General Virilus' legendary Ninth Legion, under orders to wipe the Picts from the face of the Earth and destroy their leader, Gorlacon.
The film underperformed commercially against its small-scale budget of $12.0M, earning $6.9M globally (-43% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its fresh perspective 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%)
Centurion (2010) showcases carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Neil Marshall's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 37 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Quintus Dias
Etain
General Titus Flavius Virilus
Bothos
Thax
Brick
Macros
Arianne
Main Cast & Characters
Quintus Dias
Played by Michael Fassbender
A Roman centurion and sole survivor of a Pict raid who becomes the de facto leader of the Ninth Legion survivors trying to return to Roman territory.
Etain
Played by Olga Kurylenko
A mute Pict warrior seeking vengeance against Romans for the murder of her family. She leads the relentless pursuit of the Roman survivors.
General Titus Flavius Virilus
Played by Dominic West
The commanding general of the Ninth Legion, captured by the Picts. A proud, duty-bound military leader.
Bothos
Played by David Morrissey
A veteran Roman soldier and tracker, pragmatic and survival-focused. One of the most capable members of the escape party.
Thax
Played by JJ Feild
A loyal Roman soldier who serves as second-in-command. Disciplined and devoted to duty and his general.
Brick
Played by Liam Cunningham
A Roman soldier of African descent, strong and dependable. Provides muscle and loyalty to the group.
Macros
Played by Noel Clarke
A Roman soldier with medical knowledge who tends to the wounded. Caring but pragmatic about survival.
Arianne
Played by Imogen Poots
A Pict woman who shelters the Roman survivors. She has been exiled from her tribe and shows compassion despite the conflict.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Quintus Dias is a centurion at a Roman fort on the frontier of Britain, living in harsh conditions at the edge of the empire, already under threat from Pict attacks.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Quintus escapes the Pict camp and is rescued by the Ninth Legion led by General Virilus, only to learn they're marching north to destroy the Pict leader Gorlacon—a suicide mission.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to The Ninth Legion is ambushed in the forest by Etain and the Picts. General Virilus is captured, most of the legion is slaughtered, and the survivors become hunted fugitives in enemy territory., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The group finds temporary refuge with Arianne, a Pict woman exiled by her own people. False victory: they believe they might survive. But Etain is still hunting them, and the safety is an illusion., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Arianne is killed by Etain. The last of Quintus's companions fall. He is alone, wounded, hunted, with no hope of rescue. Everything and everyone he fought to protect is gone., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Quintus chooses to turn and fight. Not for Rome, not for glory, but for himself and the memory of those who died. He sets a trap for Etain, embracing the guerrilla tactics of his enemies., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Centurion's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Centurion against these established plot points, we can identify how Neil Marshall utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Centurion within the action genre.
Neil Marshall's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Neil Marshall films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.7, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Centurion represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Neil Marshall filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Neil Marshall analyses, see Hellboy, Doomsday and The Descent.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Quintus Dias is a centurion at a Roman fort on the frontier of Britain, living in harsh conditions at the edge of the empire, already under threat from Pict attacks.
Theme
A soldier speaks about honor and duty to Rome, establishing the central question: what does it mean to serve an empire that may not value your sacrifice?
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the brutal frontier war between Romans and Picts. Quintus's fort is overrun, he's captured and tortured, showing the savage nature of this conflict and introducing the mute Pict tracker Etain.
Disruption
Quintus escapes the Pict camp and is rescued by the Ninth Legion led by General Virilus, only to learn they're marching north to destroy the Pict leader Gorlacon—a suicide mission.
Resistance
Quintus joins the Ninth Legion as they march into Pict territory. The soldiers debate the wisdom of this mission, express doubts about their guide Arianne, and prepare for what may be their final battle.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The Ninth Legion is ambushed in the forest by Etain and the Picts. General Virilus is captured, most of the legion is slaughtered, and the survivors become hunted fugitives in enemy territory.
Mirror World
The surviving Roman soldiers, now equals in desperation, must learn to trust each other and work as a unit without rank. Quintus emerges as the de facto leader of this band of brothers.
Premise
The promise of the premise: a tense survival chase through hostile wilderness. The Romans attempt to rescue their general, then flee south pursued relentlessly by Etain and her Pict warriors. Multiple skirmishes and narrow escapes.
Midpoint
The group finds temporary refuge with Arianne, a Pict woman exiled by her own people. False victory: they believe they might survive. But Etain is still hunting them, and the safety is an illusion.
Opposition
Etain discovers their refuge. The group splinters—some want to stay, others flee. Arianne helps them escape but is pursued. The Romans are picked off one by one. Trust fractures, exhaustion sets in, winter closes in.
Collapse
Arianne is killed by Etain. The last of Quintus's companions fall. He is alone, wounded, hunted, with no hope of rescue. Everything and everyone he fought to protect is gone.
Crisis
Quintus, devastated and alone, must decide: keep running or make a stand. He confronts the futility of the Roman mission and questions everything he believed about honor and empire.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Quintus chooses to turn and fight. Not for Rome, not for glory, but for himself and the memory of those who died. He sets a trap for Etain, embracing the guerrilla tactics of his enemies.
Synthesis
Final confrontation with Etain. Quintus kills her in brutal combat. He returns to Roman territory, only to discover the governor plans to deny the Ninth Legion ever existed to avoid political embarrassment.
Transformation
Quintus chooses exile over lies. He walks away from Rome, returning north to the wilderness where Arianne lived, choosing freedom and truth over empire and honor. He has transformed from loyal soldier to free man.