Hitman: Agent 47
An assassin teams up with a woman to help her find her father and uncover the mysteries of her ancestry.
Despite a mid-range budget of $35.0M, Hitman: Agent 47 became a commercial success, earning $82.0M worldwide—a 134% 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%)
Hitman: Agent 47 (2015) demonstrates strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of Aleksander Bach'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 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Agent 47 executes a precision kill in a crowded square, demonstrating his engineered perfection as a genetically enhanced assassin. His cold, methodical existence as a weapon is established.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Agent 47 confronts Katia at the U-Bahn station, revealing she is being hunted. Her ordinary life as a lost woman searching for family is shattered by violent reality.. 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 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Katia chooses to trust John Smith and enters Syndicate's facility, actively deciding to seek answers about her father despite 47's warnings. She crosses into the dangerous world of the Agent Program., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The reveal: John Smith is actually a Syndicate operative, and Katia has been manipulated. False defeat - she's been on the wrong side, and her father is the key to creating more agents. Stakes raise dramatically., 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, Katia is captured and fully controlled by Syndicate, her mind invaded and autonomy destroyed. 47 appears outgunned and unable to prevent the creation of a new agent army. The "death" of free will., shows 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 79% of the runtime. Katia breaks conditioning through force of will, asserting her humanity over programming. 47 reveals Dr. Litvenko's location and his true mission. The synthesis: they choose to fight together, combining their abilities., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Hitman: Agent 47's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Hitman: Agent 47 against these established plot points, we can identify how Aleksander Bach utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Hitman: Agent 47 within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Agent 47 executes a precision kill in a crowded square, demonstrating his engineered perfection as a genetically enhanced assassin. His cold, methodical existence as a weapon is established.
Theme
Voiceover narration introduces Dr. Litvenko's dilemma: "What is the cost of creating the perfect weapon?" The theme of humanity versus engineered purpose is stated.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the Agent Program, Syndicate International's pursuit of Dr. Litvenko, and Katia van Dees searching for her past in Berlin. The world of genetic engineering, corporate warfare, and enhanced assassins is established.
Disruption
Agent 47 confronts Katia at the U-Bahn station, revealing she is being hunted. Her ordinary life as a lost woman searching for family is shattered by violent reality.
Resistance
John Smith appears as apparent savior, rescuing Katia from 47. Katia debates whom to trust while discovering her enhanced abilities. Smith claims to protect her while 47 pursues, creating confusion about allegiances.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Katia chooses to trust John Smith and enters Syndicate's facility, actively deciding to seek answers about her father despite 47's warnings. She crosses into the dangerous world of the Agent Program.
Mirror World
Agent 47 reveals his connection to Diana and his handler relationship, introducing the subplot about loyalty, programming, and whether agents can have genuine human connections beyond their design.
Premise
The "agent action" premise delivers: 47 infiltrates Syndicate, spectacular action sequences showcase enhanced abilities, and the conspiracy unfolds. Katia discovers her own genetic enhancements and abilities.
Midpoint
The reveal: John Smith is actually a Syndicate operative, and Katia has been manipulated. False defeat - she's been on the wrong side, and her father is the key to creating more agents. Stakes raise dramatically.
Opposition
Syndicate closes in with superior numbers. Le Clerq attempts to force Katia to locate her father. 47 and Katia form uneasy alliance but face overwhelming opposition. Katia's enhancements are weaponized against her will.
Collapse
Katia is captured and fully controlled by Syndicate, her mind invaded and autonomy destroyed. 47 appears outgunned and unable to prevent the creation of a new agent army. The "death" of free will.
Crisis
47 processes the implications of failure while Katia struggles internally against programming. Both confront their nature as weapons versus their emerging humanity and choice.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Katia breaks conditioning through force of will, asserting her humanity over programming. 47 reveals Dr. Litvenko's location and his true mission. The synthesis: they choose to fight together, combining their abilities.
Synthesis
Final assault on Syndicate. 47 and Katia execute coordinated attack using both their enhancements. Confrontation with Le Clerq and John Smith. Dr. Litvenko's fate resolved. The Agent Program threat eliminated.
Transformation
Katia, once lost and searching for identity, now walks confidently as Agent 90, having chosen her path rather than having it forced upon her. 47 shows subtle humanity, proving weapons can choose their purpose.