Hancock
Hancock is a superhero whose ill-considered behavior regularly causes damage in the millions. He changes when the person he saves helps him improve his public image.
Despite a enormous budget of $150.0M, Hancock became a solid performer, earning $629.4M worldwide—a 320% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, proving that audiences embrace fresh perspective even at blockbuster scale.
4 wins & 14 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
John Hancock
Ray Embrey
Mary Embrey
Aaron Embrey
Red Parker
Main Cast & Characters
John Hancock
Played by Will Smith
A powerful, immortal superhero with alcohol problems who is hated by the public for his reckless heroism and property damage.
Ray Embrey
Played by Jason Bateman
An idealistic PR consultant who takes on the challenge of rehabilitating Hancock's public image after being saved by him.
Mary Embrey
Played by Charlize Theron
Ray's wife who harbors a deep secret connection to Hancock and his mysterious past.
Aaron Embrey
Played by Jae Head
Ray and Mary's young son who becomes an enthusiastic supporter of Hancock.
Red Parker
Played by Eddie Marsan
A ruthless bank robber and antagonist who seeks revenge against Hancock.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Hancock passed out drunk on a public bench, surrounded by empty bottles. He's a superhero, but hated by the public for his reckless, destructive "heroism" that causes millions in damage. He's isolated, alcoholic, and antagonistic to everyone around him.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Ray invites Hancock to dinner as gratitude for saving his life. This is the first genuine human connection and act of kindness offered to Hancock. Ray sees potential for good in him that no one else does, disrupting Hancock's isolated, self-destructive status quo.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Hancock makes the active choice to trust Ray and voluntarily surrender himself to prison as part of the redemption plan. Despite being able to leave anytime, he chooses to stay, committing to change for the first time in his life. This is his decision to try being better., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False victory: Hancock successfully stops a bank robbery with zero collateral damage, the public celebrates him, and Ray's PR campaign is a triumph. But during the celebration, Mary kisses Hancock and he feels strange. She later reveals she has powers too - they're both immortal beings. Everything changes; the fun and games are over., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 69 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Red Parker and his crew attack the hospital where Hancock is with Mary. Because they're together, Hancock has lost his invulnerability. Red shoots him multiple times - Hancock is bleeding, dying. Mary is also shot and wounded. The whiff of death: Hancock faces mortality for the first time, realizing his connection to Mary is literally killing them both., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Hancock synthesizes everything he's learned: true heroism isn't about power, it's about sacrifice and choice. He chooses to leave Mary to save her life, accepting his destiny of eternal loneliness. This realization, combined with the knowledge that the criminals are coming, gives him clarity and resolve for the final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Hancock'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 Hancock against these established plot points, we can identify how Peter Berg utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Hancock within the action genre.
Peter Berg's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Peter Berg films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Hancock exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Peter Berg filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Peter Berg analyses, see The Rundown, Friday Night Lights and Battleship.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Hancock passed out drunk on a public bench, surrounded by empty bottles. He's a superhero, but hated by the public for his reckless, destructive "heroism" that causes millions in damage. He's isolated, alcoholic, and antagonistic to everyone around him.
Theme
Ray Embrey presents his "Change the World" PR campaign to corporate executives, pitching the power of symbols and doing good. Though rejected, Ray articulates the film's theme: anyone can be a hero, and perception can be changed through genuine transformation and purpose.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Hancock's world: his destructive saves causing millions in property damage, public vitriol and lawsuits, his isolated trailer home, constant drinking. Ray's idealistic family life with wife Mary and son Aaron is introduced. Hancock saves Ray from being hit by a train but destroys the tracks and causes a massive pileup.
Disruption
Ray invites Hancock to dinner as gratitude for saving his life. This is the first genuine human connection and act of kindness offered to Hancock. Ray sees potential for good in him that no one else does, disrupting Hancock's isolated, self-destructive status quo.
Resistance
Ray debates whether he can actually help Hancock. Awkward but humanizing dinner at Ray's house where Hancock meets Mary and Aaron. Ray pitches his idea: Hancock needs a PR makeover, must go to prison to let crime rise so people miss him, then return reformed. Hancock resists, arguing he doesn't need help or care what people think.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Hancock makes the active choice to trust Ray and voluntarily surrender himself to prison as part of the redemption plan. Despite being able to leave anytime, he chooses to stay, committing to change for the first time in his life. This is his decision to try being better.
Mirror World
In prison, Hancock begins reflecting on his life during Ray's visits. Ray serves as mentor and friend, coaching him on gratitude and heroism. Mary's presence grows more significant - she watches Hancock with knowing looks, hinting at a deeper connection that carries the theme of sacrifice and destiny.
Premise
The promise of the premise: watching Hancock transform. Crime rises in LA while he's imprisoned. Ray coaches him on behavior, language, and gratitude. The city starts missing Hancock. He's eventually released and makes a clean, perfect save of hostages, thanking people and saying "Good job." The public loves the new Hancock. Ray's plan seems to be working perfectly.
Midpoint
False victory: Hancock successfully stops a bank robbery with zero collateral damage, the public celebrates him, and Ray's PR campaign is a triumph. But during the celebration, Mary kisses Hancock and he feels strange. She later reveals she has powers too - they're both immortal beings. Everything changes; the fun and games are over.
Opposition
Mary reveals the truth: she and Hancock are the last of their kind, immortal for 3,000 years. When they're together, they lose their powers and become mortal. She's been hiding from him to protect them both. Hancock is torn between his growing connection to Mary and his loyalty to Ray. Meanwhile, criminals he imprisoned, led by Red Parker, plot revenge.
Collapse
Red Parker and his crew attack the hospital where Hancock is with Mary. Because they're together, Hancock has lost his invulnerability. Red shoots him multiple times - Hancock is bleeding, dying. Mary is also shot and wounded. The whiff of death: Hancock faces mortality for the first time, realizing his connection to Mary is literally killing them both.
Crisis
Hancock lies in a hospital bed, mortal and dying. Ray discovers the truth about Mary's powers and their shared history. Hancock processes the devastating realization: to save both their lives and be the hero he's meant to be, he must leave Mary forever. Love means letting go. His dark night of accepting this sacrifice.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Hancock synthesizes everything he's learned: true heroism isn't about power, it's about sacrifice and choice. He chooses to leave Mary to save her life, accepting his destiny of eternal loneliness. This realization, combined with the knowledge that the criminals are coming, gives him clarity and resolve for the final confrontation.
Synthesis
While still weakened and mortal, Hancock battles Red Parker and his crew at the hospital, showing true courage without invulnerability. He defeats them, then forces himself to leave Mary so their powers return and she survives. He moves to New York, giving Ray and Mary their life back. As a gift to Ray, he carves Ray's heart symbol onto the moon.
Transformation
Final image: Hancock stands on a New York rooftop in a proper superhero costume, sober, watching over the city with purpose and dignity. He's alone, but no longer lonely - now by noble choice rather than self-destruction. The moon displays Ray's heart symbol. Hancock has transformed from hated drunk to true hero who chose responsibility and sacrifice.