Homefront
Phil Broker is a former DEA agent who has gone through a crisis after his action against a biker gang went horribly wrong and it cost the life of his boss' son. He is recently widowed and is left with a 9-years-old daughter, Maddy. He decides to quit the turbulent and demanding life of thrill for Maddy's sake and retires to a small town. His daughter fights off a boy who was bullying her at school and this sets in motion a round of events that end in his direct confrontation with the local Meth drug lord. His past history with the biker gang also enters the arena, making matters more complex. But he has a mission in his mind to protect his daughter and he is ready to pay any cost that it demands.
Despite a mid-range budget of $22.0M, Homefront became a commercial success, earning $51.7M worldwide—a 135% 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%)
Homefront (2013) showcases deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Gary Fleder's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 40 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Phil Broker
Gator Bodine
Maddy Broker
Cassie Bodine Klum
Sheryl Marie Mott
Susan Hetch
Danny T
Main Cast & Characters
Phil Broker
Played by Jason Statham
Former DEA agent seeking quiet life with his daughter in rural Louisiana, forced to confront local drug dealers.
Gator Bodine
Played by James Franco
Local meth dealer and small-time crime boss who becomes Broker's primary antagonist.
Maddy Broker
Played by Izabela Vidovic
Phil's young daughter who becomes caught up in the conflict with local criminals.
Cassie Bodine Klum
Played by Kate Bosworth
Gator's sister and mother of the bully who fights Maddy, triggering the escalating conflict.
Sheryl Marie Mott
Played by Winona Ryder
Gator's girlfriend and accomplice in his criminal operations.
Susan Hetch
Played by Rachelle Lefevre
School counselor who befriends Broker and provides support as he adjusts to small-town life.
Danny T
Played by Chuck Zito
Biker gang leader and drug distributor who becomes involved when Gator discovers Broker's DEA past.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Phil Broker works undercover as a DEA agent infiltrating a biker gang, living a dangerous double life before everything changes.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Maddy defends herself against a bully at school, severely injuring him. This draws unwanted attention to Broker and brings him into conflict with the boy's parents, particularly the unstable mother Cassie.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Gator's thugs break into Broker's home and threaten Maddy. Broker decisively fights back, revealing his combat skills. He can no longer pretend to be just a regular dad - he must actively protect his daughter., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Gator makes deal with biker gang leader Danny T, offering Broker's location in exchange for protection of his meth operation. The stakes raise dramatically - it's no longer just local thugs but hardened criminals seeking revenge., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 75 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The bikers kidnap Maddy from school. Broker's worst fear is realized - his violent past has directly endangered his daughter. His attempt to escape that life and protect her has completely failed., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 80 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Broker gets crucial information about Maddy's location from Gator. He synthesizes his DEA tactical knowledge with his fighting skills and paternal motivation, ready to unleash controlled violence to save his daughter., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Homefront's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Homefront against these established plot points, we can identify how Gary Fleder utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Homefront within the action genre.
Gary Fleder's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Gary Fleder films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Homefront takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Gary Fleder filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Gary Fleder analyses, see Don't Say a Word, Kiss the Girls and Runaway Jury.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Phil Broker works undercover as a DEA agent infiltrating a biker gang, living a dangerous double life before everything changes.
Theme
A character suggests that running from your past doesn't work - eventually you have to face who you are. This introduces the theme of confronting rather than escaping violence.
Worldbuilding
Undercover operation goes wrong leading to a gang member's death. Two years later, widowed Broker moves to rural Louisiana with daughter Maddy, seeking peaceful life. We see him as caring father trying to leave violence behind.
Disruption
Maddy defends herself against a bully at school, severely injuring him. This draws unwanted attention to Broker and brings him into conflict with the boy's parents, particularly the unstable mother Cassie.
Resistance
Broker tries to handle the situation peacefully, but Cassie escalates by involving her brother Gator, a local meth dealer. Broker resists using his combat skills, wanting to stay under the radar and protect his quiet life.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Gator's thugs break into Broker's home and threaten Maddy. Broker decisively fights back, revealing his combat skills. He can no longer pretend to be just a regular dad - he must actively protect his daughter.
Mirror World
Broker develops connection with local veterinarian Susan, who represents the peaceful life he wants. She sees past his tough exterior to the caring father, offering possibility of normalcy and belonging.
Premise
Gator discovers Broker's DEA past while investigating him. Seeing opportunity, Gator contacts the biker gang whose member died in Broker's operation. Meanwhile, Broker balances protecting Maddy, developing relationship with Susan, and dealing with local threats.
Midpoint
Gator makes deal with biker gang leader Danny T, offering Broker's location in exchange for protection of his meth operation. The stakes raise dramatically - it's no longer just local thugs but hardened criminals seeking revenge.
Opposition
The bikers arrive in town. Broker realizes the danger escalating and tries to get Maddy to safety. Gator's operation unravels as he becomes desperate. Multiple threats converge - bikers, Gator's crew, and consequences of Broker's past all close in simultaneously.
Collapse
The bikers kidnap Maddy from school. Broker's worst fear is realized - his violent past has directly endangered his daughter. His attempt to escape that life and protect her has completely failed.
Crisis
Broker confronts the darkness of his situation. He must embrace the violence he tried to escape to save Maddy. He prepares for assault, accepting he cannot run from who he is - a warrior and protector.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Broker gets crucial information about Maddy's location from Gator. He synthesizes his DEA tactical knowledge with his fighting skills and paternal motivation, ready to unleash controlled violence to save his daughter.
Synthesis
Broker systematically assaults Gator's meth lab compound where Maddy is held. He defeats multiple enemies using combat skills and tactical intelligence. Final confrontation with Danny T and rescue of Maddy. Gator is killed in the chaos.
Transformation
Broker and Maddy embrace safely. Unlike the opening where he lived a double life, he has integrated both sides - the protector and the father. He didn't escape violence but learned to control it for the right reasons.