In the Line of Fire
Frank Horrigan (Clint Eastwood) is a Secret Service Agent who keeps thinking back to November 22, 1963, when, as a hand-picked Agent by President John F. Kennedy, he became one of the few Agents to have lost a President to an assassin when Kennedy died. Now, former C.I.A. assassin Mitch Leary (John Malkovich) is stalking the current President (Jim Curley), who is running for re-election. Mitch has spent long hours studying Horrigan, and he taunts Horrigan, telling him of his plans to kill the President. Leary plans to kill the President because Leary feels betrayed by the government. Leary was removed from the C.I.A., and the C.I.A. is now trying to have him killed. After talking to Leary, Horrigan makes sure he is assigned to Presidential protection duty, working with fellow Secret Service Agent Lilly Raines (Rene Russo). Horrigan has no intention of failing his President this time around, and he's more than willing to take a bullet. White House Chief of Staff Harry Sargent (Fred Dalton Thompson) refuses to alter the President's itinerary, while Horrigan's boss, Secret Service Director Sam Campagna (John Mahoney), is supportive of Horrigan. As the election gets closer, Horrigan begins to doubt his own abilities, especially when Horrigan's colleague Al D'Andrea (Dylan McDermott) is killed by Leary. But Horrigan may be the only one who can stop Leary.
Despite a moderate budget of $40.0M, In the Line of Fire became a box office success, earning $177.0M worldwide—a 343% return.
Nominated for 3 Oscars. 2 wins & 17 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%)
In the Line of Fire (1993) exhibits precise narrative design, characteristic of Wolfgang Petersen's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 8 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Frank Horrigan, a veteran Secret Service agent haunted by his failure to save JFK, works routine protection details while battling alcoholism and guilt. He's a skilled but broken man stuck in the past.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Frank receives the first phone call from Mitch Leary, a former CIA assassin who knows intimate details about Frank's failure to protect JFK and directly threatens to kill the current President. The cat-and-mouse game begins.. 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 32 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Frank convinces his superiors to put him back on the presidential protection detail. He actively chooses to face his demons and pursue Mitch, accepting the responsibility he ran from for thirty years. He's back in the game., moving from reaction to action.
At 64 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Mitch demonstrates his plastic gun can get through metal detectors and nearly kills Frank during a campaign event in California. Frank realizes Mitch is always one step ahead and the threat is more real and dangerous than anyone believed. The 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 96 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Frank's partner Al D'Andrea is killed by Mitch during a rooftop confrontation. Frank holds his dying friend, devastated. The "whiff of death" - Frank has failed again to protect someone, reinforcing his deepest fear that he's not capable of saving anyone., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 102 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Frank realizes Mitch will strike at the President's fundraiser dinner in Los Angeles. He synthesizes all the clues and psychological profile. Armed with new resolve and accepting he must face his fear, Frank prepares for the final confrontation - this time he won't fail., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
In the Line of Fire'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 In the Line of Fire against these established plot points, we can identify how Wolfgang Petersen utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish In the Line of Fire within the action genre.
Wolfgang Petersen's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Wolfgang Petersen films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. In the Line of Fire takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Wolfgang Petersen filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Wolfgang Petersen analyses, see Air Force One, The Perfect Storm and The NeverEnding Story.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Frank Horrigan, a veteran Secret Service agent haunted by his failure to save JFK, works routine protection details while battling alcoholism and guilt. He's a skilled but broken man stuck in the past.
Theme
During a conversation with his new partner Al, someone mentions that nobody can ever truly be prepared to take a bullet for someone else - you can't know until the moment arrives. This states the film's central question: Will Frank redeem himself?
Worldbuilding
We see Frank's world: his partnership with Al D'Andrea, his flirtation with fellow agent Lilly Raines, his reputation as a legendary but damaged agent. During a counterfeiting investigation, Frank discovers evidence of a potential presidential assassination threat.
Disruption
Frank receives the first phone call from Mitch Leary, a former CIA assassin who knows intimate details about Frank's failure to protect JFK and directly threatens to kill the current President. The cat-and-mouse game begins.
Resistance
Frank debates whether he's still capable of protecting the President. The Secret Service and FBI are skeptical of the threat. Frank argues to be placed back on the presidential detail despite his age and past. Mitch continues to taunt him with phone calls.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Frank convinces his superiors to put him back on the presidential protection detail. He actively chooses to face his demons and pursue Mitch, accepting the responsibility he ran from for thirty years. He's back in the game.
Mirror World
Frank's relationship with Lilly Raines deepens. She represents a chance at connection and redemption beyond his guilt. She challenges him to be honest about his feelings and his past, embodying the theme of courage and vulnerability.
Premise
The promise of the premise: a psychological cat-and-mouse game between Frank and Mitch. Campaign events, near-misses, investigating leads, philosophical phone conversations about duty and sacrifice, and Frank's growing connection with Lilly while hunting a brilliant assassin.
Midpoint
Mitch demonstrates his plastic gun can get through metal detectors and nearly kills Frank during a campaign event in California. Frank realizes Mitch is always one step ahead and the threat is more real and dangerous than anyone believed. The stakes raise dramatically.
Opposition
Mitch tightens his grip: he toys with Frank psychologically, knows about his relationship with Lilly, and stays invisible despite intense investigation. Frank's past trauma intensifies. The Secret Service considers removing him. Mitch gets closer to the President while Frank struggles with self-doubt.
Collapse
Frank's partner Al D'Andrea is killed by Mitch during a rooftop confrontation. Frank holds his dying friend, devastated. The "whiff of death" - Frank has failed again to protect someone, reinforcing his deepest fear that he's not capable of saving anyone.
Crisis
Frank mourns Al and faces his darkest moment. He questions whether he should continue, whether he's putting others at risk. Lilly confronts him about his guilt and self-destruction. He must process the loss and decide if he has the courage to face the final test.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Frank realizes Mitch will strike at the President's fundraiser dinner in Los Angeles. He synthesizes all the clues and psychological profile. Armed with new resolve and accepting he must face his fear, Frank prepares for the final confrontation - this time he won't fail.
Synthesis
The finale at the hotel fundraiser. Frank searches desperately for Mitch among hundreds of guests. Mitch reveals himself, takes Lilly hostage on the rooftop, and forces Frank to face his ultimate test: can he take a bullet for the President? Frank confronts both Mitch and his past.
Transformation
Frank saves Lilly and the President, proving he can take the bullet. Mitch falls to his death. Frank, finally redeemed, accepts his past while embracing his future. The closing image shows Frank honored and at peace, having answered the question that haunted him for thirty years.