Gold
With the sudden death of his father, fourth-generation prospector Kenny Wells sees the family business, Washoe Mining, rapidly decline and him out of business. But ambitious Kenny has a dream, a vivid vision that promises mountains of brilliant and pure gold in the lush jungles of remote Indonesia; an aspiration which the well-known, yet still unlucky geologist Michael Acosta shares. Before long, down-on-his-luck Kenny will convince the eager geologist to become his partner and set off on an adventure deep into uncharted territory, while in the meantime, he would hunt for investors. Unfortunately though, as the risky expedition begins without a single speck of gold or the promise of it on the horizon, disease and failure will begin to threaten the short-lived dream. However, is it indeed an intriguingly bold and reckless fantasy?
The film disappointed at the box office against its mid-range budget of $20.0M, earning $14.9M globally (-26% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unique voice within the biography genre.
1 win & 5 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%)
Gold (2016) exemplifies deliberately positioned dramatic framework, characteristic of Stephen Gaghan's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Kenny Wells
Michael Acosta
Kay Wells
Mark Hancock
Brian Woolf
Main Cast & Characters
Kenny Wells
Played by Matthew McConaughey
A down-on-his-luck prospector who dreams of striking it rich and partners with a geologist to find gold in Indonesia.
Michael Acosta
Played by Edgar Ramírez
A brilliant geologist with unconventional theories who partners with Kenny to discover a massive gold deposit.
Kay Wells
Played by Bryce Dallas Howard
Kenny's loyal girlfriend who supports him through financial ruin and stands by his dreams despite the odds.
Mark Hancock
Played by Corey Stoll
A Wall Street banker who becomes involved in financing the gold venture and brings corporate interests into play.
Brian Woolf
Played by Toby Kebbell
An FBI agent investigating the gold mining operation for potential fraud and financial crimes.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Kenny Wells runs a failing mining company from a bar, having fallen from his father's legacy. He's broke, desperate, and clinging to past glory.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Kenny has a vivid dream about finding gold in Indonesia, inspiring him to track down geologist Michael Acosta despite having no money.. 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Kenny commits everything and flies to Indonesia with Acosta to search for gold in the jungle, leaving his old life behind., moving from reaction to action.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 48% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat They discover massive gold deposits. Kenny becomes a celebrity and major players want in - false victory as success attracts corruption and complications., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 88 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The gold is revealed to be a fraud - salted samples. Acosta disappears, Kenny's fortune evaporates, and he's left with nothing but scandal and betrayal., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 95 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Kenny realizes the truth about what happened and understands what truly matters - not the gold itself, but the adventure and the relationship with Kay., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Gold'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 Gold against these established plot points, we can identify how Stephen Gaghan utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Gold within the biography genre.
Stephen Gaghan's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Stephen Gaghan films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Gold takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Stephen Gaghan filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional biography films include After Thomas, Taking Woodstock and The Fire Inside. For more Stephen Gaghan analyses, see Dolittle, Abandon and Syriana.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kenny Wells runs a failing mining company from a bar, having fallen from his father's legacy. He's broke, desperate, and clinging to past glory.
Theme
Kenny's girlfriend Kay tells him "You're not your father" - establishing the theme of legacy versus self-made identity and what defines true worth.
Worldbuilding
Setup of Kenny's fallen state, his relationship with Kay, the memory of his father's success, and the struggling mining business he operates from a bar.
Disruption
Kenny has a vivid dream about finding gold in Indonesia, inspiring him to track down geologist Michael Acosta despite having no money.
Resistance
Kenny convinces Acosta to partner with him, scrapes together money by selling Kay's watch, and they debate the feasibility of the Borneo expedition.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Kenny commits everything and flies to Indonesia with Acosta to search for gold in the jungle, leaving his old life behind.
Mirror World
Kenny contracts malaria in the jungle, experiencing the harsh reality of his dream. Acosta represents the scientific/grounded approach versus Kenny's wild ambition.
Premise
The adventure of prospecting - Kenny and Acosta search the jungle, face setbacks, then finally strike gold. Kenny becomes wealthy and successful beyond imagination.
Midpoint
They discover massive gold deposits. Kenny becomes a celebrity and major players want in - false victory as success attracts corruption and complications.
Opposition
Corporate sharks circle, the Indonesian government pressures them, FBI investigates, and Kenny loses control of his company while trying to maintain the dream.
Collapse
The gold is revealed to be a fraud - salted samples. Acosta disappears, Kenny's fortune evaporates, and he's left with nothing but scandal and betrayal.
Crisis
Kenny processes the devastation - interrogated by FBI, abandoned by partners, humiliated publicly. His dream has become his nightmare.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Kenny realizes the truth about what happened and understands what truly matters - not the gold itself, but the adventure and the relationship with Kay.
Synthesis
Kenny faces the consequences, reconciles with Kay, and comes to terms with his journey - finding peace in who he is rather than what he achieved.
Transformation
Kenny back at the bar, no longer chasing his father's shadow. He found something more valuable than gold - self-acceptance and genuine connection.