Focus
Nicky Spurgeon is an extremely accomplished con man who takes an amateur con artist, Jess, under his wing. Nicky and Jess become romantically involved, and with Nicky's profession of being a liar and a cheater for a living, he realizes that deception and love are things that don't go together. They split, only to see each other three years later... And things get messy.
Despite a mid-range budget of $50.1M, Focus became a commercial success, earning $154.0M worldwide—a 207% return.
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%)
Focus (2015) demonstrates carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Glenn Ficarra'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 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Nicky Spurgeon operates smoothly in the high-stakes world of professional con artistry, demonstrating his skills and meticulous control at a hotel bar in New York.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Jess pursues Nicky, asking to learn from him. He initially refuses but she persists, disrupting his solitary professional approach.. 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Nicky actively chooses to take Jess to New Orleans for Super Bowl weekend, bringing her into his crew's major operation. He commits to teaching her the game., 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 Nicky wins massive high-stakes bet with Liyuan, demonstrating complete mastery and control. False victory - he's at the top of his game and has Jess, but his growing feelings for her threaten his fundamental rule: never get emotionally involved., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Garriga discovers the deception and has Nicky shot. The con has fallen apart, Nicky is bleeding out, and his feelings for Jess have destroyed his professional detachment. Death is imminent., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 86 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 82% of the runtime. Nicky reveals the full scope of the long con to Jess - the entire Buenos Aires job was orchestrated from the beginning. But more importantly, he opens up emotionally, synthesizing his professional skills with genuine vulnerability., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Focus'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 Focus against these established plot points, we can identify how Glenn Ficarra utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Focus within the comedy genre.
Glenn Ficarra's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Glenn Ficarra films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Focus represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Glenn Ficarra filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Glenn Ficarra analyses, see Crazy, Stupid, Love., Whiskey Tango Foxtrot and I Love You Phillip Morris.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Nicky Spurgeon operates smoothly in the high-stakes world of professional con artistry, demonstrating his skills and meticulous control at a hotel bar in New York.
Theme
Nicky's mentor wisdom: "You get their focus, you can take whatever you want." The theme of distraction, misdirection, and what happens when the con artist loses his own focus.
Worldbuilding
Nicky meets Jess Barrett, a novice grifter trying to con him. He sees through her act, reveals the con world's rules, and shows her how professionals operate. World of high-level pickpocketing and confidence schemes established.
Disruption
Jess pursues Nicky, asking to learn from him. He initially refuses but she persists, disrupting his solitary professional approach.
Resistance
Nicky debates whether to bring Jess into his world. He tests her skills and commitment. Internal conflict about getting emotionally involved versus maintaining professional distance.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Nicky actively chooses to take Jess to New Orleans for Super Bowl weekend, bringing her into his crew's major operation. He commits to teaching her the game.
Mirror World
Jess and Nicky's relationship deepens beyond professional. She represents the possibility of genuine connection in a world built on deception. Their chemistry becomes the emotional subplot.
Premise
New Orleans Super Bowl con operation in full swing. Elaborate pickpocketing schemes, Jess learning the craft, the crew's coordinated operations. The fun and games of the con artist world - the promise of the premise delivered.
Midpoint
Nicky wins massive high-stakes bet with Liyuan, demonstrating complete mastery and control. False victory - he's at the top of his game and has Jess, but his growing feelings for her threaten his fundamental rule: never get emotionally involved.
Opposition
Nicky brutally cuts Jess loose, breaking her heart to protect himself. Three years later, he takes a job with race team owner Garriga in Buenos Aires, only to discover Jess is now Garriga's girlfriend. His past and emotions catch up with him, compromising his focus.
Collapse
Garriga discovers the deception and has Nicky shot. The con has fallen apart, Nicky is bleeding out, and his feelings for Jess have destroyed his professional detachment. Death is imminent.
Crisis
Nicky survives the shooting (revealed to be part of the con). He processes the cost of his emotional walls and his treatment of Jess. Dark night of reckoning with his inability to be vulnerable.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Nicky reveals the full scope of the long con to Jess - the entire Buenos Aires job was orchestrated from the beginning. But more importantly, he opens up emotionally, synthesizing his professional skills with genuine vulnerability.
Synthesis
The complete Buenos Aires con is revealed in flashback. Nicky and Jess resolve their relationship, having both learned that real connection requires genuine trust, not just manipulation. The job is complete.
Transformation
Nicky and Jess together, no longer hiding behind cons. The master manipulator has learned to be genuine. Mirror to opening: instead of solitary control, he chooses partnership and emotional risk.