Do It Like An Hombre
Raúl, Eduardo, and Santiago have led a happy masculine life from childhood, until one day Santiago tells the others that he is gay. Impulsive Raul, the alpha male, is homophobic and tries to convince Santiago that his is no more than simple sexual confusion. But when the situation becomes unsustainable, Eduardo and Raul set aside their prejudices and decide to help Santiago to venture into his new gay life.
The film earned $13.6M at the global box office.
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%)
Do It Like An Hombre (2017) exhibits precise story structure, characteristic of Nicolás López's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 49 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The three friends - Raúl, Santiago, and Álvaro - are shown in their normal lives with their respective partners, appearing to be happy successful men in committed relationships.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when The three men discover that their partners are leaving them - shockingly, each woman is leaving for another woman, creating a crisis of masculinity and identity for all three friends.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to The three friends make the active decision to attend the workshop together, committing to the journey of self-discovery and change despite their skepticism and wounded pride., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat A false victory where the men believe they've figured out women and themselves, showing apparent growth and possibly rekindling connections with their exes or new love interests, but they haven't truly internalized the lessons., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 81 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The men's attempts to win back their partners or start new relationships fall apart spectacularly. Their friendships fracture under the strain, and they hit rock bottom emotionally, facing the death of their old identities., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. The men have genuine realizations about themselves - that being a man isn't about machismo or winning women back, but about authentic emotional honesty and self-acceptance. They synthesize their workshop lessons with their life experience., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Do It Like An Hombre'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 Do It Like An Hombre against these established plot points, we can identify how Nicolás López utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Do It Like An Hombre within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The three friends - Raúl, Santiago, and Álvaro - are shown in their normal lives with their respective partners, appearing to be happy successful men in committed relationships.
Theme
A character suggests that understanding women and what it means to be a real man requires vulnerability and emotional honesty, not just machismo.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the three friends' lives, their relationships, careers, and social dynamics. Each man is established in his comfort zone with distinct personalities and relationship dynamics.
Disruption
The three men discover that their partners are leaving them - shockingly, each woman is leaving for another woman, creating a crisis of masculinity and identity for all three friends.
Resistance
The men struggle with their breakups, debate what went wrong, and resist facing their emotional issues. They discover workshops and therapies designed to help them understand women and themselves better.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The three friends make the active decision to attend the workshop together, committing to the journey of self-discovery and change despite their skepticism and wounded pride.
Mirror World
Introduction of the workshop facilitator and/or new romantic interests who represent alternative perspectives on masculinity, relationships, and emotional intelligence that challenge the protagonists' worldview.
Premise
The men engage in various workshop exercises and comedic situations as they attempt to understand women, explore their emotions, and confront their toxic masculine behaviors. This is the "fun and games" of men out of their element.
Midpoint
A false victory where the men believe they've figured out women and themselves, showing apparent growth and possibly rekindling connections with their exes or new love interests, but they haven't truly internalized the lessons.
Opposition
The men's superficial changes are tested and found wanting. Old patterns resurface, relationships become strained, and the gap between who they're pretending to be and who they really are creates increasing problems.
Collapse
The men's attempts to win back their partners or start new relationships fall apart spectacularly. Their friendships fracture under the strain, and they hit rock bottom emotionally, facing the death of their old identities.
Crisis
Each man processes his failure in isolation, experiencing genuine grief and self-reflection about who they are and what kind of men they want to be, separate from their relationships or others' expectations.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The men have genuine realizations about themselves - that being a man isn't about machismo or winning women back, but about authentic emotional honesty and self-acceptance. They synthesize their workshop lessons with their life experience.
Synthesis
The friends reunite with genuine humility and support for each other. They take authentic action based on their real growth - whether reconciling with partners from an honest place, moving forward alone with dignity, or forming new healthy relationships.
Transformation
The final image shows the three friends comfortable in their own skin, whether single or partnered, having genuinely evolved beyond their initial machismo into more complete, emotionally honest men.