Ghost in the Shell
In the near future, human organs are enhanced by the cybernetics technology developed by the powerful Hanka Robotics Corporation owned by Cutter. Dr. Ouelet is responsible for the development of the secret project 2571 of a full mechanical body to be connected to a human brain. She uses the brain of a young woman that lost her parents in a cyber attack as subject of a prototype. One year later, the woman is ranked Major and has joined Section 9, an anti-terrorist division commanded by Chief Daisuke Aramaki, working with agents Batou and Togusa. She needs to use a medicine to help the integration of her brain with the mechanical body and has no recollections of her previous life. When Section 9 hunts down the terrorist Kuze, Major learns the secrets about Hanka Robotics and the experiment she was subjected. Now she faces her ultimate enemy: Kuze, a criminal who has managed to hack into the brains of androids and control them.
Working with a considerable budget of $110.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $169.8M in global revenue (+54% profit margin).
3 wins & 6 nominations
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%)
Ghost in the Shell (2017) showcases meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Rupert Sanders's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Major Mira Killian, the first successful human brain in a synthetic body, works as a counter-cyberterrorist operative for Section 9. She operates efficiently but struggles with fragmented memories and questions about her identity.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when A mysterious hacker known as Kuze begins assassinating Hanka Robotics scientists involved in Project 2571. The first scientist is killed at a business conference, revealing a conspiracy that will unravel Mira's understanding of herself.. 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 Mira deep-dives into the corrupted geisha robot's network to trace Kuze, risking her consciousness. She encounters Kuze directly in the network, where he cryptically tells her they are "the same" and that she has been lied to. She chooses to pursue the truth., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Mira finds her glitch-memory apartment and discovers the name "Motoko Kusanagi" - her real name. She confronts Dr. Ouelet, who admits Mira's memories were fabricated. False victory turns to defeat: her entire identity is a corporate lie. She learns she wasn't a willing volunteer but an unwilling test subject., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Dr. Ouelet, the closest thing to a mother Mira has known, is killed by Cutter to eliminate witnesses. This "whiff of death" destroys Mira's last connection to her fabricated life. Mira is captured by Hanka security while trying to save Kuze from a similar fate., 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 81% of the runtime. Aramaki and Section 9 rescue Mira, defying orders. Aramaki tells her she is valuable for who she chooses to be, not what she was made to be. Mira synthesizes her revelation: she is defined by her choices and actions, not her memories or origins. She embraces both Motoko and Major as parts of herself., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Ghost in the Shell'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 Ghost in the Shell against these established plot points, we can identify how Rupert Sanders utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Ghost in the Shell within the action genre.
Rupert Sanders's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Rupert Sanders films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.5, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Ghost in the Shell takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Rupert Sanders filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Rupert Sanders analyses, see The Crow.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Major Mira Killian, the first successful human brain in a synthetic body, works as a counter-cyberterrorist operative for Section 9. She operates efficiently but struggles with fragmented memories and questions about her identity.
Theme
Dr. Ouelet tells Mira: "We cling to memories as if they define us, but they don't. What we do is what defines us." This establishes the central thematic question of identity - are we our memories or our actions?
Worldbuilding
Establish the cyberpunk world of New Port City where humans integrate with technology. Introduce Section 9, Aramaki, Batou, and the corporate world of Hanka Robotics. Show Mira's enhanced abilities and her reliance on Dr. Ouelet.
Disruption
A mysterious hacker known as Kuze begins assassinating Hanka Robotics scientists involved in Project 2571. The first scientist is killed at a business conference, revealing a conspiracy that will unravel Mira's understanding of herself.
Resistance
Section 9 investigates Kuze's attacks. Mira experiences glitches - haunting visions of a burning house and a mysterious figure. She begins questioning her origins. Batou becomes her trusted partner, and the investigation leads to a geisha robot attack.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Mira deep-dives into the corrupted geisha robot's network to trace Kuze, risking her consciousness. She encounters Kuze directly in the network, where he cryptically tells her they are "the same" and that she has been lied to. She chooses to pursue the truth.
Mirror World
Batou shares his own story of augmentation and reveals his human eyes beneath his mechanical ones, showing vulnerability. He represents the balance between human and machine, accepting both. Their partnership deepens into genuine friendship and trust.
Premise
The hunt for Kuze intensifies. Mira's glitches worsen, revealing more memories that contradict her official history. She tracks down a yakuza connection, survives an ambush, and discovers that Kuze is also a failed augmentation experiment. Her visions lead her to a ruined apartment.
Midpoint
Mira finds her glitch-memory apartment and discovers the name "Motoko Kusanagi" - her real name. She confronts Dr. Ouelet, who admits Mira's memories were fabricated. False victory turns to defeat: her entire identity is a corporate lie. She learns she wasn't a willing volunteer but an unwilling test subject.
Opposition
Cutter, Hanka's CEO, orders Mira's termination to protect the company's secrets. Section 9 is suspended. Mira discovers her mother is alive and learns her true past: she was a runaway teen named Motoko who was abducted by Hanka. Kuze reveals he was her friend, and they were both victims of the same project.
Collapse
Dr. Ouelet, the closest thing to a mother Mira has known, is killed by Cutter to eliminate witnesses. This "whiff of death" destroys Mira's last connection to her fabricated life. Mira is captured by Hanka security while trying to save Kuze from a similar fate.
Crisis
Mira is restrained as Cutter prepares to wipe her mind completely. She faces the dark truth: she is a ghost trapped in a shell, neither fully human nor fully machine. In her darkest moment, she must decide who she truly is - the corporation's weapon or her own person.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Aramaki and Section 9 rescue Mira, defying orders. Aramaki tells her she is valuable for who she chooses to be, not what she was made to be. Mira synthesizes her revelation: she is defined by her choices and actions, not her memories or origins. She embraces both Motoko and Major as parts of herself.
Synthesis
Mira and Kuze join forces against Cutter and Hanka's spider tank weapon. In the climactic battle, Mira fully embraces her synthetic body's power while maintaining her humanity. Kuze sacrifices himself. Aramaki executes Cutter. Mira accepts her dual identity and finds peace with her mother.
Transformation
Mirror to the Status Quo: Mira stands overlooking the city, but transformed. She is no longer fragmented or questioning. She embraces her full identity as both Major and Motoko, accepting that she is defined by her choices. She dives into the city with purpose and wholeness, fully integrated.