Die Another Day
Pierce Brosnan gives one last mission as James Bond 007. Starting off in North Korea, Bond is betrayed and captured. Fourteen months later, Bond is set free, but traded for Zao (Rick Yune) who was captured by MI6. When back in his world, Bond sets off to track down Zao. Bond gets caught up in yet another scheme which sends him to millionaire Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens). Another MI6 Agent known as Miranda Frost (Rosamund Pike) is also posing as a friend of Graves. Bond is invited to a presentation held by Graves about a satellite found in space which can project a huge laser beam. Bond must stop this madman with a fellow American Agent, known as Jinx Johnson (Halle Berry). While Bond tries to stop Graves and Zao, will he finally reveal who betrayed him?
Despite a substantial budget of $142.0M, Die Another Day became a commercial success, earning $432.0M worldwide—a 204% return.
6 wins & 36 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%)
Die Another Day (2002) exhibits carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Lee Tamahori's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 13 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Bond surfs into North Korea on a covert mission, confident and in control. Establishes him as the unshakeable 007 agent in his element.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Bond's cover is blown by a traitor within MI6. The mission fails catastrophically, Moon apparently dies, and Bond is captured by North Korean forces.. At 11% 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 22% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Bond escapes MI6 custody at the Hong Kong hotel and decides to go rogue to clear his name and find the traitor who sold him out. He chooses to pursue the mission alone without official support., moving from reaction to action.
At 67 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat At the Ice Palace demonstration, Graves reveals Icarus, a satellite weapon. Bond realizes the true scale of the threat. False defeat: the villain's plan is further along than imagined, and Miranda Frost is revealed as the MI6 traitor., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 98 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Bond is strapped to a laser table facing death while Jinx is trapped in a flooding facility. Both face imminent death. The lowest point - separated, captured, and about to be killed while the villain wins., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 104 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 78% of the runtime. Bond realizes Graves is actually Colonel Moon, transformed by gene therapy. The revelation synthesizes all the clues and gives Bond the final piece he needs. He reunites with Jinx and they pursue Graves together., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Die Another Day's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Die Another Day against these established plot points, we can identify how Lee Tamahori utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Die Another Day within the action genre.
Lee Tamahori's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Lee Tamahori films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Die Another Day takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Lee Tamahori filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Lee Tamahori analyses, see The Edge, xXx: State of the Union and Next.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Bond surfs into North Korea on a covert mission, confident and in control. Establishes him as the unshakeable 007 agent in his element.
Theme
Colonel Moon speaks about transformation and changing identity: "Read the newspapers - everyone's changing sides." The film's theme of identity, trust, and transformation is established.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the mission, Bond's cover as a diamond smuggler, the North Korean setting, and the antagonist Colonel Moon. Establishes the world of international espionage and arms dealing.
Disruption
Bond's cover is blown by a traitor within MI6. The mission fails catastrophically, Moon apparently dies, and Bond is captured by North Korean forces.
Resistance
Bond endures 14 months of torture in North Korean prison, shown through opening credits. He's exchanged for Zao in a prisoner swap. M suspends him, believing he broke under torture and revealed secrets. Bond debates whether to follow orders or go rogue.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Bond escapes MI6 custody at the Hong Kong hotel and decides to go rogue to clear his name and find the traitor who sold him out. He chooses to pursue the mission alone without official support.
Mirror World
Bond meets Jinx in Cuba, a fellow agent who becomes both ally and love interest. She represents trust and partnership, mirroring the film's theme about who can be trusted.
Premise
Bond tracks Zao to Cuba, investigates the gene therapy clinic, discovers Gustav Graves, returns to London, explores the Ice Palace in Iceland. Classic Bond action, gadgets, and investigation - the promise of a 007 adventure.
Midpoint
At the Ice Palace demonstration, Graves reveals Icarus, a satellite weapon. Bond realizes the true scale of the threat. False defeat: the villain's plan is further along than imagined, and Miranda Frost is revealed as the MI6 traitor.
Opposition
Graves' plan accelerates. Bond and Jinx are captured separately. Miranda Frost reveals her betrayal fully. The villains close in on victory as Icarus threatens mass destruction and Bond is trapped.
Collapse
Bond is strapped to a laser table facing death while Jinx is trapped in a flooding facility. Both face imminent death. The lowest point - separated, captured, and about to be killed while the villain wins.
Crisis
Bond uses Q's ring to escape the laser. Brief moment of processing the betrayal and near-death before finding renewed determination. Rescues Jinx from drowning.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Bond realizes Graves is actually Colonel Moon, transformed by gene therapy. The revelation synthesizes all the clues and gives Bond the final piece he needs. He reunites with Jinx and they pursue Graves together.
Synthesis
Final confrontation aboard Graves' cargo plane. Bond and Jinx fight Graves and Miranda. Bond destroys Icarus, defeats Graves, and Jinx kills Miranda. The plan is stopped and the traitors defeated.
Transformation
Bond and Jinx are rescued together in the jungle, sharing an intimate moment. Bond has transformed from a tortured, untrusted agent to one who has proven his loyalty and learned to trust others. His identity is restored.