Closed Circuit
A high-profile terrorism case unexpectedly binds together two ex-lovers on the defense team - testing the limits of their loyalties and placing their lives in jeopardy.
The film earned $5.8M 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%)
Closed Circuit (2013) exemplifies precise story structure, characteristic of John Crowley's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 36 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Opening image: CCTV footage captures a devastating terrorist bombing at a London Borough Market that kills over 100 people, establishing a world of surveillance and violence.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Martin is appointed to defend Farroukh Erdogan, the accused terrorist bomber, forcing him into the most high-profile and dangerous case of his career.. 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 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Martin commits fully to defending Erdogan despite warnings and pressure. He and Claudia secretly meet, breaking protocol to share concerns about inconsistencies in the evidence, entering a dangerous conspiracy., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False defeat: Martin discovers that a key witness has been murdered and that government agents are actively covering up MI5's role in allowing the bombing. The stakes escalate from legal case to life-threatening conspiracy., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 73 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Claudia is forced to withdraw from the case under threat. Martin realizes the full scope of the conspiracy and that there's no legal way to win—the system itself is rigged to protect state secrets over truth and justice., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 77 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Martin negotiates a plea deal that acknowledges some government wrongdoing without full disclosure. He confronts the Attorney General with evidence, securing Erdogan's reduced sentence while accepting that the full truth will remain secret., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Closed Circuit's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Closed Circuit against these established plot points, we can identify how John Crowley utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Closed Circuit within the mystery genre.
John Crowley's Structural Approach
Among the 4 John Crowley films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Closed Circuit represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete John Crowley filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional mystery films include Oblivion, From Darkness and American Gigolo. For more John Crowley analyses, see We Live in Time, Intermission and Brooklyn.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Opening image: CCTV footage captures a devastating terrorist bombing at a London Borough Market that kills over 100 people, establishing a world of surveillance and violence.
Theme
A colleague warns Martin that "some things are better left alone" regarding national security cases, foreshadowing the film's exploration of truth versus state secrecy.
Worldbuilding
Barrister Martin Rose is introduced in his professional world; we learn about the closed material procedure (secret evidence system), meet his estranged lover Claudia, and understand the extraordinary legal process for terrorism cases.
Disruption
Martin is appointed to defend Farroukh Erdogan, the accused terrorist bomber, forcing him into the most high-profile and dangerous case of his career.
Resistance
Martin prepares for the case while Claudia is appointed Special Advocate (who can see secret evidence). They're warned they cannot communicate, but their past affair creates tension. Martin questions whether to take such a politically charged case.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Martin commits fully to defending Erdogan despite warnings and pressure. He and Claudia secretly meet, breaking protocol to share concerns about inconsistencies in the evidence, entering a dangerous conspiracy.
Mirror World
Martin and Claudia's clandestine relationship deepens as they work the case together despite it being forbidden. Their connection represents the personal cost of seeking truth in a system built on secrets.
Premise
Martin and Claudia investigate in parallel, discovering evidence of MI5 involvement, witness intimidation, and a possible government conspiracy. They uncover that their every move is being watched and that the previous Special Advocate was killed.
Midpoint
False defeat: Martin discovers that a key witness has been murdered and that government agents are actively covering up MI5's role in allowing the bombing. The stakes escalate from legal case to life-threatening conspiracy.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies as Martin and Claudia are surveilled, threatened, and isolated. The Attorney General pressures them to drop inquiries. They realize MI5 used Erdogan as an informant and allowed the attack to happen for intelligence purposes.
Collapse
Claudia is forced to withdraw from the case under threat. Martin realizes the full scope of the conspiracy and that there's no legal way to win—the system itself is rigged to protect state secrets over truth and justice.
Crisis
Martin faces the dark reality that he cannot save his client or expose the truth through legal means. He contemplates abandoning the case and accepting that the surveillance state is inescapable.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Martin negotiates a plea deal that acknowledges some government wrongdoing without full disclosure. He confronts the Attorney General with evidence, securing Erdogan's reduced sentence while accepting that the full truth will remain secret.
Transformation
Final image: Martin walks alone through London under omnipresent CCTV cameras, having achieved a hollow victory. He's disillusioned but aware—transformed from idealistic barrister to someone who understands the true price of security and secrecy.