Freelance
An ex-special forces operative takes a job to provide security for a journalist as she interviews a dictator, but when a military coup breaks out in the middle of the interview, they are forced to escape into the jungle.
The film financial setback against its moderate budget of $40.0M, earning $9.1M globally (-77% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling within the action 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%)
Freelance (2023) showcases deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Pierre Morel's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Mason Pettits, former special forces operative, now works a mundane lawyer job, stuck in suburban monotony with his wife and daughter, clearly unfulfilled and disconnected from his past life of action.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Mason is offered a supposedly simple bodyguard job: protect journalist Claire Wellington during an interview with dictator Venegas in the fictional country of Paldonia. The money is good, but the assignment feels wrong from the start.. 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Mason and Claire arrive at the presidential palace for the interview. He makes the active choice to proceed into the dictator's domain despite mounting red flags, crossing into the dangerous world of political intrigue and violence., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False victory: Mason, Claire, and Venegas successfully evade immediate danger and reach what seems like safety. Mason and Claire share a moment of connection, and it appears they might escape. Stakes are raised when they discover the coup is backed by foreign interests., 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, All seems lost when Mason is betrayed by someone he trusted, Claire is captured by the coup forces, and Venegas is seemingly killed. Mason faces potential death and the complete failure of his mission. His worst fears about returning to this life are confirmed., shows 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 80% of the runtime. Mason receives information about where Claire is held and realizes Venegas survived. He synthesizes his special forces skills with his newfound moral purpose, understanding he can be both a good man and a warrior. He chooses to launch a rescue mission., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Freelance's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Freelance against these established plot points, we can identify how Pierre Morel utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Freelance within the action genre.
Pierre Morel's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Pierre Morel films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Freelance takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Pierre Morel filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Pierre Morel analyses, see Taken, From Paris with Love and Peppermint.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Mason Pettits, former special forces operative, now works a mundane lawyer job, stuck in suburban monotony with his wife and daughter, clearly unfulfilled and disconnected from his past life of action.
Theme
Mason's wife comments on how he's "not the same person anymore" and questions whether he misses who he used to be, introducing the theme of identity and whether we can reclaim our authentic selves after compromise.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Mason's dissatisfying domestic life, his strained marriage, his yearning for purpose. Introduction of his former handler offering freelance security work. Setup of journalist Claire Wellington and the dangerous South American dictator President Venegas.
Disruption
Mason is offered a supposedly simple bodyguard job: protect journalist Claire Wellington during an interview with dictator Venegas in the fictional country of Paldonia. The money is good, but the assignment feels wrong from the start.
Resistance
Mason debates taking the job, discusses it with his wife who wants him to refuse, but financial pressures mount. He reluctantly accepts, prepares for the mission, and travels to Paldonia where he meets Claire and encounters warning signs about the dangerous political situation.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Mason and Claire arrive at the presidential palace for the interview. He makes the active choice to proceed into the dictator's domain despite mounting red flags, crossing into the dangerous world of political intrigue and violence.
Mirror World
Mason and Claire, forced together by circumstances, begin their uneasy partnership. Claire represents the idealistic journalist seeking truth, mirroring Mason's lost sense of purpose and forcing him to confront what kind of person he wants to be.
Premise
A military coup erupts during the interview. Mason must protect Claire as they escape the palace. Action-comedy ensues as the mismatched pair navigate the jungle, encounter rebels, and deal with President Venegas who has been deposed and joins them. The "fun and games" of the action-comedy premise.
Midpoint
False victory: Mason, Claire, and Venegas successfully evade immediate danger and reach what seems like safety. Mason and Claire share a moment of connection, and it appears they might escape. Stakes are raised when they discover the coup is backed by foreign interests.
Opposition
The situation deteriorates. Trust issues emerge between Mason and Claire. Venegas's true nature creates complications. The coup forces close in. Mason's attempts to protect everyone become harder as his old mercenary contacts turn on him and reveal deeper conspiracies.
Collapse
All seems lost when Mason is betrayed by someone he trusted, Claire is captured by the coup forces, and Venegas is seemingly killed. Mason faces potential death and the complete failure of his mission. His worst fears about returning to this life are confirmed.
Crisis
Mason, wounded and alone, must confront who he really is. He processes the collapse and recognizes that he's been running from himself. Dark night of the soul where he decides what kind of man he wants to be—the disconnected suburban dad or the hero who fights for something.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Mason receives information about where Claire is held and realizes Venegas survived. He synthesizes his special forces skills with his newfound moral purpose, understanding he can be both a good man and a warrior. He chooses to launch a rescue mission.
Synthesis
The finale: Mason storms the compound, rescues Claire, confronts the main antagonist behind the coup, and helps restore Venegas to power (or facilitates legitimate democratic transition). Action-packed climax where Mason uses everything he's learned, fighting not for money but for what's right.
Transformation
Mason returns home transformed. Unlike the opening where he was disconnected and going through the motions, he's now present with his family, reconciled with his wife, and at peace with integrating both sides of himself—the warrior and the father.