Daylight
Trouble strikes when runaway robbers in a getaway car hit truck full of explosives in the tunnel connecting Manhattan and New Jersey. Survivors are left in a weakened tunnel blocked at both exits. As Kit Latura approaches the tunnel, he sees the impact and knows he gotta take action. With time running out, he enters the tunnel through a system of maintenance walkways. Can he get the survivors out before the tunnel fills up?
Working with a substantial budget of $80.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $159.2M in global revenue (+99% profit margin).
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 1 win & 4 nominations
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%)
Daylight (1996) reveals strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Rob Cohen's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 55 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Kit Latura
Madelyne Thompson
Roy Nord
Eleanor Trilling
George Tyrell
Roger Trilling
Norman Bassett
Grace Lincoln
Main Cast & Characters
Kit Latura
Played by Sylvester Stallone
Disgraced former Emergency Medical Services chief who leads trapped survivors through the collapsed tunnel
Madelyne Thompson
Played by Amy Brenneman
Playwright trapped in the tunnel who becomes Kit's ally and romantic interest
Roy Nord
Played by Viggo Mortensen
Aggressive, self-serving survivor who challenges Kit's leadership and endangers the group
Eleanor Trilling
Played by Claire Bloom
Elderly woman traveling with her dog, represents vulnerability and compassion in the group
George Tyrell
Played by Stan Shaw
Professional tunnel designer who provides technical expertise during the escape
Roger Trilling
Played by Colin Fox
Eleanor's son, protective and practical-minded survivor
Norman Bassett
Played by Dan Hedaya
NYPD Chief who coordinates rescue efforts from outside the tunnel
Grace Lincoln
Played by Vanessa Bell Calloway
Survivor traveling with her family, maternal and protective
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Kit Latura drives his taxi through Manhattan at night, a disgraced former EMS chief now living an anonymous, diminished life. Meanwhile, various characters enter the Holland Tunnel in their vehicles, unaware of the approaching tragedy.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Thieves fleeing in a truck carrying toxic waste collide with vehicles in the Holland Tunnel, causing a massive explosion that collapses both ends and traps dozens of people inside the burning, flooding passage.. 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Kit makes the active choice to enter the tunnel through the giant ventilation fans, risking his life despite officials declaring the rescue impossible. He descends into the darkness alone, choosing redemption over safety., moving from reaction to action.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The survivors reach what seems like an escape route—the old midtown tunnel—only to discover it's completely flooded and impassable. Their false hope is crushed, and the stakes escalate as they realize the water is rising faster and they're running out of options., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, A massive structural collapse kills more survivors and separates Kit from the remaining group. The elderly Mr. Trilling dies trying to save others. Kit is pinned and appears to have failed everyone—the "whiff of death" as hope seems extinguished., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 92 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Kit realizes the rising water pressure could be used to their advantage—by blowing the tunnel ceiling, they could escape into the Hudson River above. He synthesizes his engineering knowledge with desperate courage, finding a solution in seeming defeat., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Daylight's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Daylight against these established plot points, we can identify how Rob Cohen utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Daylight within the action genre.
Rob Cohen's Structural Approach
Among the 11 Rob Cohen films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Daylight takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Rob Cohen filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Rob Cohen analyses, see The Hurricane Heist, Stealth and Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kit Latura drives his taxi through Manhattan at night, a disgraced former EMS chief now living an anonymous, diminished life. Meanwhile, various characters enter the Holland Tunnel in their vehicles, unaware of the approaching tragedy.
Theme
A passenger in Kit's taxi comments that "nobody cares about anybody anymore," establishing the thematic question of whether one person's actions can still make a difference in a cynical world.
Worldbuilding
We meet the diverse group who will become trapped: struggling playwright Madelyne Thompson, the elderly Trillings couple, athletic prisoners being transported, the Crighton family, and tunnel security. Kit's past as EMS Chief and his disgrace are hinted at through his demeanor.
Disruption
Thieves fleeing in a truck carrying toxic waste collide with vehicles in the Holland Tunnel, causing a massive explosion that collapses both ends and traps dozens of people inside the burning, flooding passage.
Resistance
Emergency services arrive but declare rescue impossible. Kit watches the disaster unfold and debates whether to get involved. He learns the tunnel's ventilation system could provide access. His former colleague Frank recognizes him and provides crucial information about the tunnel structure.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Kit makes the active choice to enter the tunnel through the giant ventilation fans, risking his life despite officials declaring the rescue impossible. He descends into the darkness alone, choosing redemption over safety.
Mirror World
Kit encounters Madelyne Thompson and the survivors. Their dynamic establishes the Mirror World relationship—she challenges his authority while he must earn their trust. Her determination mirrors his own need to prove himself, and their connection will carry the emotional throughline.
Premise
Kit leads the survivors through the devastated tunnel, navigating fires, flooding, unstable debris, and dwindling air. He uses his EMS expertise to treat the injured and devise escape routes. The group dynamics shift as his leadership proves invaluable.
Midpoint
The survivors reach what seems like an escape route—the old midtown tunnel—only to discover it's completely flooded and impassable. Their false hope is crushed, and the stakes escalate as they realize the water is rising faster and they're running out of options.
Opposition
Everything closes in: the tunnel floods further, explosive gas pockets ignite, structural collapses kill survivors including the heroic George Tyrell. Roy Nord's ego-driven escape attempt fails catastrophically. The group shrinks as obstacles multiply and Kit's plans keep failing.
Collapse
A massive structural collapse kills more survivors and separates Kit from the remaining group. The elderly Mr. Trilling dies trying to save others. Kit is pinned and appears to have failed everyone—the "whiff of death" as hope seems extinguished.
Crisis
In the aftermath of collapse, the few remaining survivors—Kit, Madelyne, and the Crighton child—face seemingly certain death. Kit processes his failures while trapped, remembering his past disgrace and those he couldn't save.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Kit realizes the rising water pressure could be used to their advantage—by blowing the tunnel ceiling, they could escape into the Hudson River above. He synthesizes his engineering knowledge with desperate courage, finding a solution in seeming defeat.
Synthesis
Kit orchestrates the dangerous plan: using emergency flares to ignite gas pockets, blasting through the tunnel ceiling while the water rises. He guides the survivors through the explosive breach and the underwater swim to freedom, sacrificing his own safety to ensure they escape first.
Transformation
Kit emerges from the Hudson River, welcomed by cheering crowds and emergency responders. His redemption is complete—no longer the disgraced EMS chief who failed, but a hero reborn through selfless action. Madelyne embraces him as he's finally at peace.