Identity Thief
Sandy Patterson (Jason Bateman) gets a nice call confirming his name and other identifying information. The next thing he knows, a spa in Florida is reminding him of his appointment and his credit cards are maxed out. With his identity stolen, Sandy leaves his wife, kids and job to literally bring the thief to justice in Colorado. Keeping tabs on the other Sandy (Melissa McCarthy) and run-ins with bounty hunters is harder than he was expecting, and ultimately the cross-country trip is going to find both Sandys learning life tips from one another.
Despite a mid-range budget of $35.0M, Identity Thief became a solid performer, earning $174.0M worldwide—a 397% return.
1 win & 9 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%)
Identity Thief (2013) showcases deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Seth Gordon's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 51 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Sandy Patterson lives a modest but stable life in Denver with his wife and two daughters, working as a mid-level financial executive while struggling with financial pressures and identity.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Sandy discovers his identity has been stolen when he's arrested at work for crimes committed in Florida by someone using his name. His credit is ruined and he faces criminal charges.. 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Sandy chooses to fly to Florida to find Diana and bring her back to Denver himself, leaving his safe world behind to enter the chaotic world of the criminal who stole his identity., moving from reaction to action.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Sandy and Diana are caught by the criminals Diana scammed. They're beaten, tortured, and nearly killed. The stakes dramatically raise and the fun road trip becomes genuinely dangerous. Sandy realizes the severity of the situation., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 84 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Diana, after finally opening up to Sandy about her loneliness and troubled past, betrays him by stealing his rental car and leaving him stranded. Sandy hits rock bottom, abandoned and seemingly losing everything., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 90 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. The finale: Sandy and Diana return to Denver together, face the authorities, and resolve the legal issues. Diana confesses and takes responsibility. Sandy stands up for her. They defeat the antagonists and restore Sandy's identity and reputation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Identity Thief's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Identity Thief against these established plot points, we can identify how Seth Gordon utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Identity Thief within the comedy genre.
Seth Gordon's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Seth Gordon films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Identity Thief takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Seth Gordon filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Seth Gordon analyses, see Horrible Bosses, Four Christmases and Baywatch.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Sandy Patterson lives a modest but stable life in Denver with his wife and two daughters, working as a mid-level financial executive while struggling with financial pressures and identity.
Theme
Sandy's coworker Harold suggests "you gotta take control" when discussing their job futures, hinting at the film's theme about reclaiming one's identity and taking responsibility for one's life.
Worldbuilding
Sandy's ordinary world: working at a financial firm, family man with two kids, financially stressed. Meanwhile, Diana (the identity thief) is introduced living extravagantly in Florida using Sandy's stolen identity.
Disruption
Sandy discovers his identity has been stolen when he's arrested at work for crimes committed in Florida by someone using his name. His credit is ruined and he faces criminal charges.
Resistance
Sandy debates what to do about the identity theft. Police can't help across state lines. His new boss Daniel offers him a week to resolve it or lose his job. Sandy resists the idea of going to Florida himself.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Sandy chooses to fly to Florida to find Diana and bring her back to Denver himself, leaving his safe world behind to enter the chaotic world of the criminal who stole his identity.
Mirror World
Sandy meets Diana face-to-face for the first time. She represents everything he's not: impulsive, shameless, free-spirited, and unapologetic. This relationship will force him to confront who he really is.
Premise
The road trip premise: uptight Sandy forced to travel cross-country with chaotic Diana. They encounter criminals Diana owes money to, bounty hunters, and law enforcement. The "fun and games" of their mismatched dynamic plays out.
Midpoint
Sandy and Diana are caught by the criminals Diana scammed. They're beaten, tortured, and nearly killed. The stakes dramatically raise and the fun road trip becomes genuinely dangerous. Sandy realizes the severity of the situation.
Opposition
Multiple antagonists close in: the criminals tracking them, bounty hunter Skiptracer pursuing Diana, and police investigating Sandy. Diana's past catches up. Sandy's job and family are at risk. Trust issues emerge between them.
Collapse
Diana, after finally opening up to Sandy about her loneliness and troubled past, betrays him by stealing his rental car and leaving him stranded. Sandy hits rock bottom, abandoned and seemingly losing everything.
Crisis
Sandy experiences his dark night: stranded, broke, missing his daughter's birthday, everything falling apart. He must decide who he is and what matters most. Meanwhile, Diana faces her own crisis of conscience.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale: Sandy and Diana return to Denver together, face the authorities, and resolve the legal issues. Diana confesses and takes responsibility. Sandy stands up for her. They defeat the antagonists and restore Sandy's identity and reputation.