Hell or High Water
In Texas, after the death of his mother, the unemployed oil and gas worker Toby Howard is losing his ranch to the Texas Midlands Bank. Toby is divorced from his wife who lives with their two sons. When his brother Tanner Howard is released from the prison, they team up to rob agencies of the Texas Midlands Bank to raise money to pay the loan so that Toby may leave the real estate to his sons. Meanwhile the Texas Ranger Marcus Hamilton who is near retirement and his Native American-descendant partner Alberto Parker try to anticipate the next move of the thieves.
Despite its limited budget of $12.0M, Hell or High Water became a solid performer, earning $37.6M worldwide—a 213% return. The film's fresh perspective engaged audiences, showing that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Nominated for 4 Oscars. 47 wins & 174 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%)
Hell or High Water (2016) reveals deliberately positioned dramatic framework, characteristic of David Mackenzie's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Opening image: Tanner and Toby rob a small-town Texas bank in the early morning, establishing them as criminals operating in economically depressed West Texas. The brothers' desperation and the region's poverty are immediately evident.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Marcus Hamilton is assigned to the bank robbery case just before his retirement. This external event sets the pursuit in motion, though the brothers have already begun their plan due to the earlier disruption of their mother's death and the bank's predatory loan.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to The brothers rob another bank, but Tanner's violent tendencies emerge when he pistol-whips a bank manager. This escalation crosses a line - what was supposed to be simple robbery becomes violent crime, raising the stakes and making retreat impossible., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The final bank robbery goes catastrophically wrong. Armed citizens shoot at the brothers, Tanner is wounded, and in the chaos, Alberto Parker is killed by Tanner. The "whiff of death" is literal - a good man dies, and the brothers' plan collapses into violence and tragedy., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Tanner calls Toby one final time, and both brothers understand what must happen. Tanner will sacrifice himself to ensure Toby escapes and the plan succeeds. This realization - that Tanner's death is the price of Toby's family's freedom - propels them into the final act., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Hell or High Water's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Hell or High Water against these established plot points, we can identify how David Mackenzie utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Hell or High Water within the crime genre.
David Mackenzie's Structural Approach
Among the 2 David Mackenzie films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Hell or High Water exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete David Mackenzie filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more David Mackenzie analyses, see Spread.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Opening image: Tanner and Toby rob a small-town Texas bank in the early morning, establishing them as criminals operating in economically depressed West Texas. The brothers' desperation and the region's poverty are immediately evident.
Theme
A waitress at a diner tells Marcus Hamilton: "I've been working here for 44 years. Ain't nobody ever ordered nothing but breakfast." This speaks to the film's theme of systemic poverty, cycles that can't be broken, and institutions that keep people trapped.
Worldbuilding
Establishing the world: We see the poverty of West Texas, the brothers' relationship dynamic, their mother's recent death, the reverse mortgage threatening the ranch, and the introduction of Texas Rangers Marcus Hamilton and Alberto Parker beginning their investigation.
Disruption
Marcus Hamilton is assigned to the bank robbery case just before his retirement. This external event sets the pursuit in motion, though the brothers have already begun their plan due to the earlier disruption of their mother's death and the bank's predatory loan.
Resistance
The brothers continue their careful robbery scheme, establishing their method: small banks, small bills, specific amounts. Marcus and Alberto debate the case and Marcus's impending retirement. Both sides prepare for the inevitable confrontation.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The brothers rob another bank, but Tanner's violent tendencies emerge when he pistol-whips a bank manager. This escalation crosses a line - what was supposed to be simple robbery becomes violent crime, raising the stakes and making retreat impossible.
Premise
The cat-and-mouse game unfolds: more robberies, Marcus piecing together the pattern, growing tension between the methodical Toby and wild Tanner. The "fun and games" of the heist thriller genre play out against the West Texas backdrop.
Opposition
The pressure intensifies. Marcus narrows down the suspects and identifies the brothers. Toby tries to convince Tanner to stop, but Tanner insists on one final robbery. The brothers' conflicting approaches - Toby's caution versus Tanner's recklessness - create mounting tension.
Collapse
The final bank robbery goes catastrophically wrong. Armed citizens shoot at the brothers, Tanner is wounded, and in the chaos, Alberto Parker is killed by Tanner. The "whiff of death" is literal - a good man dies, and the brothers' plan collapses into violence and tragedy.
Crisis
The brothers flee separately as planned. Toby is devastated by the violence and death. Tanner, knowing he's wounded and pursued, prepares for his last stand. Marcus, grief-stricken over Alberto's death, becomes consumed with vengeance. The emotional darkness settles over all characters.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Tanner calls Toby one final time, and both brothers understand what must happen. Tanner will sacrifice himself to ensure Toby escapes and the plan succeeds. This realization - that Tanner's death is the price of Toby's family's freedom - propels them into the final act.
Synthesis
Tanner leads the Rangers on a chase into the mountains and dies in a shootout with Marcus. Toby successfully pays off the bank, securing the ranch for his sons through a legal trust. Marcus confronts Toby at the ranch but cannot prove his guilt. The mission succeeds at tremendous cost.
Transformation
Final image: Toby stands on his ranch - the land now secured for his sons, the cycle broken. But he's haunted, alone, having lost his brother. Marcus watches from a distance, equally alone in retirement. Both men are transformed by loss, trapped in their own ways despite their victories.