Code Name: The Cleaner
Jake is a seemingly regular guy who has no idea who he is after being hit over the head by mysterious assailants; when he finds himself entangled in a government conspiracy, Jake and his pursuers become convinced that he is an undercover agent.
The film disappointed at the box office against its respectable budget of $20.0M, earning $10.3M globally (-48% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its compelling narrative 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%)
Code Name: The Cleaner (2007) demonstrates deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Les Mayfield's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 24 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 Jake is a janitor working at a government facility, living a simple, humble life. He dreams of being someone important but is stuck in his mundane routine.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 9 minutes when Jake wakes up in a hotel room next to a dead body with complete amnesia. He has no memory of who he is or how he got there, with armed men pursuing him.. At 10% 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 21 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Jake actively chooses to embrace the possibility that he's a secret agent and commits to finding the missing briefcase containing a virus, entering the world of espionage., moving from reaction to action.
At 42 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Jake discovers evidence suggesting he might NOT be a secret agent after all. His fantasy identity is threatened, and the real stakes become clear when he learns the virus could kill millions., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 63 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Jake is captured by the villains and his memory fully returns. He realizes he's just a janitor who witnessed a murder, not a secret agent. His fantasy identity dies, along with his confidence., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 67 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Jake realizes that his janitor skills—resourcefulness, knowledge of the building, cleaning chemistry—ARE valuable. He synthesizes his real identity with the courage he found playing agent. He doesn't need to be someone else., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Code Name: The Cleaner'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 Code Name: The Cleaner against these established plot points, we can identify how Les Mayfield utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Code Name: The Cleaner within the action genre.
Les Mayfield's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Les Mayfield films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Code Name: The Cleaner represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Les Mayfield filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Les Mayfield analyses, see Blue Streak, Flubber and Encino Man.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jake is a janitor working at a government facility, living a simple, humble life. He dreams of being someone important but is stuck in his mundane routine.
Theme
Diane tells Jake, "Sometimes you have to believe in yourself before anyone else will." Theme: Self-worth comes from within, not from external validation.
Worldbuilding
Jake's life as a janitor is established. He works with his partner Eric, has a loving wife Diane, and fantasizes about being a secret agent. We see his insecurity about his identity and worth.
Disruption
Jake wakes up in a hotel room next to a dead body with complete amnesia. He has no memory of who he is or how he got there, with armed men pursuing him.
Resistance
Jake escapes the hotel and meets Gina, a waitress who claims to be his girlfriend. She tells him he's a secret agent. He debates whether to believe her story or try to recover his real memories.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jake actively chooses to embrace the possibility that he's a secret agent and commits to finding the missing briefcase containing a virus, entering the world of espionage.
Mirror World
Jake reconnects with Diane, his wife, though he doesn't remember her. She represents his true identity and authentic self-worth, mirroring the theme of finding value in who you really are.
Premise
Jake plays secret agent, following leads about the briefcase while evading villains. Comedy ensues as a janitor bumbles through spy scenarios, using cleaning supplies as weapons and relying on dumb luck.
Midpoint
Jake discovers evidence suggesting he might NOT be a secret agent after all. His fantasy identity is threatened, and the real stakes become clear when he learns the virus could kill millions.
Opposition
The villains close in on Jake and Diane. His janitor instincts keep failing him as evidence mounts that he's not qualified for this mission. His relationship with Diane strains as the danger intensifies.
Collapse
Jake is captured by the villains and his memory fully returns. He realizes he's just a janitor who witnessed a murder, not a secret agent. His fantasy identity dies, along with his confidence.
Crisis
Jake faces the darkness of being "nobody special," just a janitor in over his head. He must decide whether being ordinary means being worthless, or if he has value regardless of his job title.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jake realizes that his janitor skills—resourcefulness, knowledge of the building, cleaning chemistry—ARE valuable. He synthesizes his real identity with the courage he found playing agent. He doesn't need to be someone else.
Synthesis
Jake uses his janitor knowledge to defeat the villains and recover the virus. He combines cleaning expertise with newfound confidence, saving the day as his authentic self, not as a fantasy spy.
Transformation
Jake returns to work as a janitor, but now carries himself with confidence and pride. He's the same job, same life, but transformed internally—he knows his worth isn't defined by his title.