Duplicity
Two romantically involved corporate spies team up to manipulate a race to corner the market on a medical innovation that will reap huge profits and allow them to lead an extravagant lifestyle together.
Working with a respectable budget of $60.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $78.2M in global revenue (+30% profit margin).
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%)
Duplicity (2009) exhibits meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Tony Gilroy's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 5 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.3, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Corporate espionage rivalry established: CEOs Tully and Garsik physically brawl at an airport, setting the tone for cutthroat competition between their companies.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The Collapse moment at 94 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Ray and Claire execute their final move to steal the formula and make their escape, believing they've won. This represents the death of their illusion of control., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 100 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The devastating realization: they open the case and discover they've been conned. The formula is worthless—the whole product was a corporate ruse to flush out the mole. They've been played from the beginning., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Duplicity's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Duplicity against these established plot points, we can identify how Tony Gilroy utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Duplicity within the romance genre.
Tony Gilroy's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Tony Gilroy films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.7, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Duplicity takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Tony Gilroy filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional romance films include South Pacific, Last Night and Diana. For more Tony Gilroy analyses, see The Bourne Legacy, Michael Clayton.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Corporate espionage rivalry established: CEOs Tully and Garsik physically brawl at an airport, setting the tone for cutthroat competition between their companies.
Theme
During their Dubai encounter, Ray warns Claire about trust in their world: "We're not on the same side." The film's central question of whether trust is possible between spies and lovers is introduced.
Worldbuilding
Non-linear flashbacks establish Ray and Claire's meeting in Dubai, their MI6/CIA backgrounds, their romantic entanglement, and their current positions as corporate spies for rival companies. The world of corporate espionage mirrors government intelligence work.
Resistance
Ray and Claire debate the plan, navigate their mutual distrust, and position themselves within Burkett & Randle and Equikrom. They must decide if they can truly work together despite their history of betrayal.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The fun of the premise: watching two spies play corporate espionage games while trying to out-maneuver each other and everyone else. Elaborate cons, surveillance, counter-surveillance, and romantic tension.
Opposition
Complications mount as corporate counter-intelligence tightens. Ray and Claire's mutual paranoia grows—is one betraying the other? The pressure of the con and their relationship intensifies as both corporations close in.
Collapse
Ray and Claire execute their final move to steal the formula and make their escape, believing they've won. This represents the death of their illusion of control.
Crisis
Ray and Claire wait anxiously for their payday, tension building between them as old doubts resurface. Each suspects the other might betray them at the final moment.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The devastating realization: they open the case and discover they've been conned. The formula is worthless—the whole product was a corporate ruse to flush out the mole. They've been played from the beginning.
Synthesis
The full con is revealed through flashbacks: Tully orchestrated everything, manipulating both Ray and Claire. They process their defeat and what it means for them—professionally ruined, but still together.
Transformation
Ray and Claire walk away together, conned but connected. Unlike the opening image of corporate warfare, they've chosen partnership over paranoia—transformed by accepting vulnerability despite being outsmarted.