Hunter Killer
Captain Glass of the USS Arkansas discovers that a coup d'état is taking place in Russia, so he and his crew join an elite group working on the ground to prevent a war.
The film disappointed at the box office against its mid-range budget of $40.0M, earning $31.7M globally (-21% loss).
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%)
Hunter Killer (2018) showcases carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Donovan Marsh's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 1 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Captain Joe Glass, an unorthodox Navy officer, receives orders for his first submarine command. Meanwhile, a U.S. Submarine tracks a Russian sub in the Arctic. The status quo shows routine Cold War-era surveillance operations and Glass as an outsider in the military hierarchy.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when The USS Tampa Bay and a Russian submarine both sink mysteriously in the Barents Sea. This incident disrupts normal operations and triggers an international crisis, potentially starting World War III.. 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.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat The SEAL team discovers that the Russian President is being held captive by his own defense minister, who plans to start a war. What seemed like a rescue mission becomes a race against nuclear war. Stakes raise enormously - false defeat as the conspiracy is bigger than anyone imagined., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 90 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Arkansas is severely damaged and trapped by Russian destroyers. Multiple crew members are dead. The SEAL team leader is killed during the extraction. The mission appears to have failed, and nuclear war seems inevitable. Glass faces his darkest moment with no apparent way out., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 96 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The finale: Glass executes the audacious plan to surface in the Russian naval base. The SEAL team rescues the Russian President. Naval battle between Glass and the coup forces. Andropov helps convince Russian forces to stand down. The conspiracy is defeated through international cooperation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Hunter Killer's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Hunter Killer against these established plot points, we can identify how Donovan Marsh utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Hunter Killer 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
Captain Joe Glass, an unorthodox Navy officer, receives orders for his first submarine command. Meanwhile, a U.S. submarine tracks a Russian sub in the Arctic. The status quo shows routine Cold War-era surveillance operations and Glass as an outsider in the military hierarchy.
Theme
Admiral Fisk tells Glass: "Being a good leader means knowing which rules to break." This establishes the central theme of unconventional leadership and trusting instincts over protocol in crisis situations.
Worldbuilding
Establishes the geopolitical tension between U.S. and Russia, introduces key players at the Pentagon, shows Glass taking command of the USS Arkansas, and introduces the SEAL team. Sets up the surveillance infrastructure and chain of command.
Disruption
The USS Tampa Bay and a Russian submarine both sink mysteriously in the Barents Sea. This incident disrupts normal operations and triggers an international crisis, potentially starting World War III.
Resistance
Glass and his crew debate the mission risks. Pentagon officials argue about response options. A SEAL team is prepared for insertion into Russia. Glass must decide whether to follow orders that seem reckless or trust his instincts about the unusual sonar readings.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The "fun and games" of submarine warfare and special operations: SEALs infiltrate Russian territory, tense cat-and-mouse games with enemy subs, Glass and Andropov grudgingly work together, uncovering the conspiracy behind the sinkings. Discovery that Russian Defense Minister Durov has staged a coup.
Midpoint
The SEAL team discovers that the Russian President is being held captive by his own defense minister, who plans to start a war. What seemed like a rescue mission becomes a race against nuclear war. Stakes raise enormously - false defeat as the conspiracy is bigger than anyone imagined.
Opposition
Russian destroyers hunt the Arkansas. The SEAL team is pinned down. Glass must navigate a minefield. Political pressure mounts to launch a military strike. Andropov and Glass's fragile trust is tested. Every attempt to resolve the crisis peacefully is blocked by escalating violence.
Collapse
The Arkansas is severely damaged and trapped by Russian destroyers. Multiple crew members are dead. The SEAL team leader is killed during the extraction. The mission appears to have failed, and nuclear war seems inevitable. Glass faces his darkest moment with no apparent way out.
Crisis
Glass processes the losses and the impossible tactical situation. The crew struggles with despair. Andropov must decide whether to truly trust Glass. Dark night of the soul as both commanders face the weight of their decisions and the lives lost.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale: Glass executes the audacious plan to surface in the Russian naval base. The SEAL team rescues the Russian President. Naval battle between Glass and the coup forces. Andropov helps convince Russian forces to stand down. The conspiracy is defeated through international cooperation.