Dumb Money
Vlogger Keith Gill sinks his life savings into GameStop stock and posts about it. When social media starts blowing up, so do his life and the lives of everyone following him. As a stock tip becomes a movement, everyone gets rich—until the billionaires fight back, and both sides find their worlds turned upside down.
The film underperformed commercially against its mid-range budget of $30.0M, earning $20.7M globally (-31% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unique voice within the history genre.
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%)
Dumb Money (2023) reveals precise story structure, characteristic of Craig Gillespie's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 45 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Keith Gill (Roaring Kitty) sits in his basement streaming to a small audience, working his day job at MassMutual while studying GameStop stock. His ordinary life: financial analyst by day, YouTube streamer by night, living with family, dismissed by mainstream finance.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Keith posts his "Deep F*ing Value" GameStop analysis on r/WallStreetBets showing his significant investment position. The post gains traction and others begin to notice the massive short interest. The data shows GameStop is over 100% shorted - an opportunity emerges.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Keith doubles down on his GameStop position, actively choosing to risk everything despite criticism. The r/WallStreetBets community members make their choice to buy and hold GME stock. Ordinary investors commit their savings to the cause - crossing into active rebellion against Wall Street., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False victory: GameStop stock explodes upward, reaching unprecedented heights. Keith's position is worth tens of millions. Retail investors are euphoric. News coverage goes mainstream. It appears they've won against Wall Street - but this draws dangerous attention from the financial establishment., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The stock crashes when Robinhood halts trading. Fortunes evaporate. The dream dies. Some retail investors lose their life savings. The realization hits: the game was always rigged, and when they started winning, the powerful changed the rules. Whiff of death: the death of the belief that the system could be fair., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 83 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Keith decides to testify before Congress and realizes the true victory isn't just money - it's exposing the corruption. The synthesis: combining his financial knowledge with the community's moral cause. He sees that holding the stock is a statement. "I like the stock." The movement was never just about profit., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Dumb Money'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 Dumb Money against these established plot points, we can identify how Craig Gillespie utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Dumb Money within the history genre.
Craig Gillespie's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Craig Gillespie films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Dumb Money represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Craig Gillespie filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional history films include Operation Finale, The Importance of Being Earnest and Tora! Tora! Tora!. For more Craig Gillespie analyses, see Cruella, Million Dollar Arm and I, Tonya.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Keith Gill (Roaring Kitty) sits in his basement streaming to a small audience, working his day job at MassMutual while studying GameStop stock. His ordinary life: financial analyst by day, YouTube streamer by night, living with family, dismissed by mainstream finance.
Theme
Keith's brother or a Redditor states the core theme: "The system is rigged against the little guy" or discusses how Wall Street elites profit while regular people lose everything. The film's central question: Can ordinary people beat Wall Street at their own game?
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the ensemble: Keith streaming his GameStop thesis, college student Riri struggling financially, nurse Jenny working shifts, GameStop retail workers Marcus and Harmony barely making ends meet. Establishing the wealth gap: Gabe Plotkin at Melvin Capital shorting GameStop, Steve Cohen's luxury, Ken Griffin's empire. The r/WallStreetBets community culture.
Disruption
Keith posts his "Deep F***ing Value" GameStop analysis on r/WallStreetBets showing his significant investment position. The post gains traction and others begin to notice the massive short interest. The data shows GameStop is over 100% shorted - an opportunity emerges.
Resistance
Keith debates whether to go all-in while his wife Caroline expresses concern about their finances. The Reddit community debates the risk and potential. The everyday investors wrestle with whether to invest their limited savings. Skepticism from family, friends, and colleagues. Keith continues researching and posting updates.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Keith doubles down on his GameStop position, actively choosing to risk everything despite criticism. The r/WallStreetBets community members make their choice to buy and hold GME stock. Ordinary investors commit their savings to the cause - crossing into active rebellion against Wall Street.
Mirror World
The r/WallStreetBets community becomes Keith's mirror world - representing collective action and solidarity. Relationships deepen among the retail investors as they share their stories and motivations. This subplot carries the theme: together, the powerless can become powerful.
Premise
The promise of the premise: watching GameStop stock rise as retail investors pile in. The thrill of gains, the "stonks only go up" memes, the growing online community. Hedge funds begin to feel pressure. News coverage starts. The little guys are winning. Social media explodes with diamond hands and rocket emojis.
Midpoint
False victory: GameStop stock explodes upward, reaching unprecedented heights. Keith's position is worth tens of millions. Retail investors are euphoric. News coverage goes mainstream. It appears they've won against Wall Street - but this draws dangerous attention from the financial establishment.
Opposition
The system fights back. Robinhood and other brokers restrict buying GME stock - only selling allowed. Melvin Capital gets bailout from Citadel and Point72. Mainstream media attacks retail investors as reckless. Congressional hearings loom. Legal pressure mounts. The establishment closes ranks to protect itself.
Collapse
The stock crashes when Robinhood halts trading. Fortunes evaporate. The dream dies. Some retail investors lose their life savings. The realization hits: the game was always rigged, and when they started winning, the powerful changed the rules. Whiff of death: the death of the belief that the system could be fair.
Crisis
Keith and the retail investors process the betrayal. Depression, anger, disillusionment. Media vilifies them. Relationships strain under financial and emotional pressure. The dark night of reckoning with what they've lost and whether it meant anything. The community questions whether to hold or give up.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Keith decides to testify before Congress and realizes the true victory isn't just money - it's exposing the corruption. The synthesis: combining his financial knowledge with the community's moral cause. He sees that holding the stock is a statement. "I like the stock." The movement was never just about profit.
Synthesis
Congressional testimony where Keith calmly defends retail investors and exposes market manipulation. The community holds strong despite losses. Media narrative begins to shift. The system is forced to acknowledge the rigging. While hedge funds survived, the world now knows the truth. Cultural victory over financial defeat.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening but transformed: Keith still in his basement, but now recognized worldwide. The retail investors didn't get rich, but they exposed Wall Street corruption and found community. The system is still rigged - but now everyone knows it. From invisible to historic.