Dark Figure of Crime
A serial killer is caught for his seventh murder. A cop tries to solve the first six cases with the killer's help, but starts to suspect that he has ulterior motives. Based on a true story.
Despite its modest budget of $7.1M, Dark Figure of Crime became a commercial success, earning $29.4M worldwide—a 313% return. The film's unconventional structure connected with viewers, illustrating how strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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%)
Dark Figure of Crime (2018) reveals deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Kim Tae-gyoon's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 51 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Detective Kim Hyung-min is introduced as a dedicated but frustrated investigator working cold cases with limited success, showing his obsessive commitment to solving unsolved crimes.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Kim learns that Kang Tae-oh, a prisoner convicted of murder, claims to have committed seven additional murders that were never discovered, offering information in exchange for benefits.. 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Kim makes the active choice to enter into a dangerous partnership with Kang, beginning regular prison visits to extract information about the unsolved murders despite warnings from superiors., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 82 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Kim discovers that Kang has been lying about several murders, manipulating the system for privileges while tormenting victims' families. Kim's career, reputation, and sense of justice collapse. He has become complicit in Kang's games., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 88 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Kim gains clarity: he cannot beat Kang at manipulation, but he can deny him the satisfaction. He must accept the limits of justice and focus on what he can truly accomplish for the victims., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Dark Figure of Crime'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 Dark Figure of Crime against these established plot points, we can identify how Kim Tae-gyoon utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Dark Figure of Crime within the crime genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Detective Kim Hyung-min is introduced as a dedicated but frustrated investigator working cold cases with limited success, showing his obsessive commitment to solving unsolved crimes.
Theme
A colleague warns Kim about the danger of making deals with criminals: "Once you start compromising with the devil, there's no going back." This establishes the film's central moral dilemma.
Worldbuilding
Establishes Kim's world: his struggling career, the pressure to close cases, his strained family life, and the frustrating reality of cold cases that haunt him and the victims' families.
Disruption
Kim learns that Kang Tae-oh, a prisoner convicted of murder, claims to have committed seven additional murders that were never discovered, offering information in exchange for benefits.
Resistance
Kim debates whether to engage with the manipulative Kang. He investigates Kang's background, consults with colleagues, and weighs the ethical implications against the possibility of giving closure to families.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Kim makes the active choice to enter into a dangerous partnership with Kang, beginning regular prison visits to extract information about the unsolved murders despite warnings from superiors.
Mirror World
Kim's interactions with Kang intensify as the serial killer becomes a dark mirror - representing what obsession and moral compromise can create. Kang takes pleasure in psychologically manipulating Kim.
Premise
The cat-and-mouse game between Kim and Kang unfolds. Kim follows leads, uncovers bodies, and experiences small victories, while Kang toys with him, revealing information strategically to maintain control and extract concessions.
Opposition
Everything deteriorates: Kang's information becomes unreliable, Kim's superiors lose patience, his family suffers from his obsession, and he realizes Kang is playing him. The bodies don't match Kang's stories.
Collapse
Kim discovers that Kang has been lying about several murders, manipulating the system for privileges while tormenting victims' families. Kim's career, reputation, and sense of justice collapse. He has become complicit in Kang's games.
Crisis
Kim faces the darkest consequences of his choices: professional disgrace, emotional devastation, and the realization that he gave a monster exactly what he wanted - attention, power, and the suffering of others.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Kim gains clarity: he cannot beat Kang at manipulation, but he can deny him the satisfaction. He must accept the limits of justice and focus on what he can truly accomplish for the victims.
Synthesis
Kim confronts Kang one final time, refusing to play his games. He focuses on verifiable evidence, works to bring genuine closure where possible, and accepts that some evil cannot be fully conquered, only contained.
Transformation
Kim is shown having gained wisdom but at tremendous cost. He understands the true "dark figure of crime" - the unknowable number of unpunished crimes and the limits of justice in the face of pure evil.