Going in Style
Desperate to pay the bills and come through for their loved ones, three lifelong pals risk it all by embarking on a daring bid to knock off the very bank that absconded with their money.
Despite a moderate budget of $25.0M, Going in Style became a solid performer, earning $84.6M worldwide—a 238% 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%)
Going in Style (2017) exhibits deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Zach Braff's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 36 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.7, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Willie Davis
Joe Harding
Albert Garner
Jesus
Annie Santori
Brooklyn
Main Cast & Characters
Willie Davis
Played by Morgan Freeman
A terminally ill retiree who initiates the bank robbery plan to secure his family's future after his pension is taken.
Joe Harding
Played by Michael Caine
A loyal friend and widower who joins the heist to reclaim what was stolen from him and his friends.
Albert Garner
Played by Alan Arkin
A cautious retiree living with his daughter's family who reluctantly joins the robbery to maintain his independence.
Jesus
Played by John Ortiz
A small-time criminal who trains the three retirees in the art of robbery and provides essential guidance.
Annie Santori
Played by Ann-Margret
A grocery store clerk and love interest who develops a romantic relationship with Joe during the planning phase.
Brooklyn
Played by Joey King
Albert's overprotective daughter who struggles to balance caring for her father with her own family responsibilities.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Joe watches helplessly as his house is foreclosed and bank representatives dismiss him. Establishes the powerlessness and indignity of the three elderly friends facing economic collapse in their retirement.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Joe witnesses a bank robbery firsthand and watches how smoothly the masked thieves execute it. The event plants the impossible idea: what if we robbed the bank that's robbing us?.. 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 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to The three men actively commit to the plan, shaking hands on it. They cross the line from desperate retirees to criminals-in-training. This is an irreversible choice to take control of their fate., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat The trio successfully executes a practice robbery at a small supermarket. False victory: they feel invincible and ready. But the stakes raise—they're now committed criminals, and the real heist looms. No turning back., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 71 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, During the bank heist, things go wrong: an unexpected customer, a locked door, Joe nearly has a breakdown. Willie collapses from his kidney failure mid-robbery. The plan is falling apart, and they might get caught or die. Whiff of death literal., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The men realize they actually succeeded—they got the money and weren't identified. New information: they can use the money to save themselves. Joe understands they must be smart about the FBI investigation and stick together., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Going in Style's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Going in Style against these established plot points, we can identify how Zach Braff utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Going in Style within the crime genre.
Zach Braff's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Zach Braff films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.5, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Going in Style represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Zach Braff filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Rustom and The Whole Ten Yards. For more Zach Braff analyses, see Garden State, Wish I Was Here.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Joe watches helplessly as his house is foreclosed and bank representatives dismiss him. Establishes the powerlessness and indignity of the three elderly friends facing economic collapse in their retirement.
Theme
Willie tells the others, "These banks practically destroyed this country. They crushed a lot of people's dreams, and nothing ever happened to them." The theme of fighting back against institutional injustice is stated.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the three lifelong friends: Joe facing foreclosure, Willie needing a kidney transplant, and Albert living with his demanding daughter. Their factory pensions have been terminated. They're broke, desperate, and invisible to society.
Disruption
Joe witnesses a bank robbery firsthand and watches how smoothly the masked thieves execute it. The event plants the impossible idea: what if we robbed the bank that's robbing us?
Resistance
Joe debates the crazy idea internally, then pitches it to Willie and Albert. Initial resistance and doubt. They research, argue ethics, and gradually convince themselves this is the only way to survive. Willie's mortality (kidney disease) adds urgency.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The three men actively commit to the plan, shaking hands on it. They cross the line from desperate retirees to criminals-in-training. This is an irreversible choice to take control of their fate.
Mirror World
Albert begins a romantic relationship with Annie, a grocery store cashier who treats him with dignity and sees him as more than just an invisible old man. This subplot represents the theme: reclaiming value and being seen.
Premise
The fun of watching three elderly men learn to be criminals. They recruit Jesus, a small-time crook, for training. Slapstick moments learning to shoplift, case the bank, acquire masks. The promise of the premise: geriatric heist comedy delivered.
Midpoint
The trio successfully executes a practice robbery at a small supermarket. False victory: they feel invincible and ready. But the stakes raise—they're now committed criminals, and the real heist looms. No turning back.
Opposition
FBI agent Hamer begins investigating, getting closer to the truth. Willie's health deteriorates. Albert's family discovers his relationship. Internal conflicts and external pressure mount. The plan becomes more complicated and dangerous than anticipated.
Collapse
During the bank heist, things go wrong: an unexpected customer, a locked door, Joe nearly has a breakdown. Willie collapses from his kidney failure mid-robbery. The plan is falling apart, and they might get caught or die. Whiff of death literal.
Crisis
In the dark moments after the chaotic heist, the men process whether they succeeded or destroyed their lives. They're separated, terrified of being caught. The weight of what they've done and the potential consequences sink in.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The men realize they actually succeeded—they got the money and weren't identified. New information: they can use the money to save themselves. Joe understands they must be smart about the FBI investigation and stick together.
Synthesis
The finale: outsmarting the FBI investigation, getting Willie his kidney transplant, saving Joe's home, securing their futures. They use what they learned from both their criminal training and their lifelong friendship to navigate the aftermath successfully.
Transformation
The three friends sit together in comfort and security, no longer invisible or powerless. Joe has his home, Willie has his health, Albert has his dignity and Annie. The final image mirrors the opening but shows men who fought back and won.