Geostorm
After an unprecedented series of natural disasters threatened the planet, the world's leaders came together to create an intricate network of satellites to control the global climate and keep everyone safe. But now, something has gone wrong: the system built to protect Earth is attacking it, and it becomes a race against the clock to uncover the real threat before a worldwide geostorm wipes out everything and everyone along with it.
Working with a significant budget of $120.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $221.6M in global revenue (+85% 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%)
Geostorm (2017) exhibits deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Dean Devlin's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 49 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.1, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Opening montage shows catastrophic climate disasters devastating Earth, establishing the world on the brink of extinction before the Dutch Boy satellite system was created.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when President orders Max to bring Jake back to investigate the malfunction on the space station, forcing the estranged brothers to work together despite their conflict.. 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.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Jake realizes the malfunctions are intentional sabotage designed to trigger a "Geostorm" - a chain reaction of climate catastrophes that will kill billions. The stakes escalate from technical malfunction to global genocide conspiracy., 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 (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Geostorm is triggered globally. Hong Kong freezes instantly, killing thousands. Rio burns. Moscow is struck by lightning. The President is killed. All seems lost as catastrophes cascade worldwide and the conspiracy succeeds., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 86 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Jake initiates the station self-destruct and reboots all satellites while evacuating the crew. Max fights Cheng, gets the kill code, and stops the Geostorm protocol. The brothers execute a desperate plan in perfect coordination, finally working as a team., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Geostorm'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 Geostorm against these established plot points, we can identify how Dean Devlin utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Geostorm within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Opening montage shows catastrophic climate disasters devastating Earth, establishing the world on the brink of extinction before the Dutch Boy satellite system was created.
Theme
Jake's brother Max tells him "You're good at designing systems, not people" - establishing the theme that technical solutions require human cooperation and trust to succeed.
Worldbuilding
Three years after Dutch Boy's success, Jake has been fired and Max runs the program. The system is about to be handed over to international control. A mysterious malfunction kills villagers in Afghanistan, revealing something is wrong with Dutch Boy.
Disruption
President orders Max to bring Jake back to investigate the malfunction on the space station, forcing the estranged brothers to work together despite their conflict.
Resistance
Jake resists returning, debates with Max about their past conflict. Jake reluctantly agrees and prepares to go to the space station while Max investigates from Earth with Secret Service agent Sarah.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Jake investigates malfunctions on the station while Max and Sarah uncover conspiracy on Earth. Multiple satellites are being sabotaged. Jake discovers evidence of deliberate tampering and narrowly survives being killed in space.
Midpoint
Jake realizes the malfunctions are intentional sabotage designed to trigger a "Geostorm" - a chain reaction of climate catastrophes that will kill billions. The stakes escalate from technical malfunction to global genocide conspiracy.
Opposition
The conspirators close in on both brothers. Max discovers Secretary of State Cheng is behind the plot. Jake is hunted on the station by a saboteur. Multiple attempts are made to kill them and prevent them from stopping the Geostorm protocol.
Collapse
The Geostorm is triggered globally. Hong Kong freezes instantly, killing thousands. Rio burns. Moscow is struck by lightning. The President is killed. All seems lost as catastrophes cascade worldwide and the conspiracy succeeds.
Crisis
Jake and the crew face the reality that they have minutes to stop the chain reaction or humanity dies. Max realizes he must get to the kill codes. Both brothers process that this may be a suicide mission.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Jake initiates the station self-destruct and reboots all satellites while evacuating the crew. Max fights Cheng, gets the kill code, and stops the Geostorm protocol. The brothers execute a desperate plan in perfect coordination, finally working as a team.