Code of Silence
A Chicago cop is caught in the middle of a gang war while his own comrades shun him because he wants to take an irresponsible cop down.
Despite its modest budget of $7.0M, Code of Silence became a box office success, earning $20.3M worldwide—a 191% return.
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 of Silence (1985) exemplifies carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Andrew Davis's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 41 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Eddie Cusack is an idealistic Chicago police sergeant who does things by the book, respected but isolated by his unwavering moral code in a corrupt department.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when A drug bust goes horribly wrong when Cusack's partner Cragie panics and kills an innocent young Hispanic boy, then plants a gun to cover it up - a killing Cusack witnesses.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Cusack makes the active choice to refuse to lie for Cragie, effectively breaking the code of silence. He knows this will make him a pariah in the department but commits to the truth., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False defeat: The corruption goes higher than Cusack thought. His own commander pressures him to change his testimony, and the mob closes in on Diana's location. Cusack realizes he's truly alone against both criminals and his own department., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 76 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The mob finds Diana and invades her hiding place. Cusack's partner is killed in the assault, and Cusack arrives too late - Diana is taken hostage. His attempt to do right has led to death and failure., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Cusack launches a one-man assault on the mob stronghold using the Prowler and his tactical skills. He rescues Diana, defeats the crime boss, and forces the corrupt system to confront its own failures., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Code of Silence's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Code of Silence against these established plot points, we can identify how Andrew Davis utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Code of Silence within the action genre.
Andrew Davis's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Andrew Davis films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Code of Silence takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Andrew Davis filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Andrew Davis analyses, see Holes, Chain Reaction and Collateral Damage.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Eddie Cusack is an idealistic Chicago police sergeant who does things by the book, respected but isolated by his unwavering moral code in a corrupt department.
Theme
A fellow officer discusses the unwritten rule: "You don't rat on your partner" - establishing the central conflict between loyalty and integrity that will test Cusack.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Chicago's crime landscape, the drug war between Italian mob and Latin gangs, Cusack's role in the task force, and the corruption within the police department.
Disruption
A drug bust goes horribly wrong when Cusack's partner Cragie panics and kills an innocent young Hispanic boy, then plants a gun to cover it up - a killing Cusack witnesses.
Resistance
Cusack wrestles with whether to testify against Cragie. Internal Affairs investigates while Cragie and other cops pressure Cusack to maintain the blue wall of silence. The Latin gang seeks revenge.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Cusack makes the active choice to refuse to lie for Cragie, effectively breaking the code of silence. He knows this will make him a pariah in the department but commits to the truth.
Premise
Cusack works to protect Diana while investigating both the mob and corrupt cops. He uses unconventional tactics including a remote-controlled police tank ("Prowler") to combat gang violence while isolated from department support.
Midpoint
False defeat: The corruption goes higher than Cusack thought. His own commander pressures him to change his testimony, and the mob closes in on Diana's location. Cusack realizes he's truly alone against both criminals and his own department.
Opposition
The walls close in on all sides. Gang violence escalates, corrupt cops actively work against Cusack, and Diana's hiding place is compromised. Cusack's isolation deepens as even good cops distance themselves from him.
Collapse
The mob finds Diana and invades her hiding place. Cusack's partner is killed in the assault, and Cusack arrives too late - Diana is taken hostage. His attempt to do right has led to death and failure.
Crisis
Cusack processes the loss and his apparent failure. The department wants him to stand down. He faces the dark reality that integrity may not be enough - but begins to see that he must act outside the system entirely.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Cusack launches a one-man assault on the mob stronghold using the Prowler and his tactical skills. He rescues Diana, defeats the crime boss, and forces the corrupt system to confront its own failures.