Killers
When an elite assassin marries a beautiful computer whiz after a whirlwind romance, he gives up the gun and settles down with his new bride. That is, until he learns that someone from his past has put a contract out on his life.
Working with a significant budget of $75.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $98.2M in global revenue (+31% profit margin).
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%)
Killers (2010) reveals deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Robert Luketic'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 8.0, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Spencer Aimes completes an assassination in Nice, France. Jen Kornfeldt drowns her sorrows at the hotel bar after breaking up with her boyfriend. Two broken people in their respective "before" states: Spencer trapped in violence, Jen trapped in romantic disappointment.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Spencer quits being an assassin to be with Jen, choosing love over his former life. He tells his handler he's done, makes an active choice to change his life, and proposes to Jen on the elevator. This disrupts his status quo as a hitman.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Spencer's former handler contacts him, and immediately after, a neighbor tries to kill Spencer in his own home. Spencer kills the attacker in self-defense. The old world violently crashes into the new world. Spencer must now confront that his past hasn't let him go, entering Act 2., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Spencer and Jen discover that anyone around them could be an assassin - even their closest friends. The stakes are raised when they realize there's a bounty on Spencer's head and they can't trust anyone. False defeat: the safe suburban world is completely compromised. The marriage is also at its breaking point., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Spencer and Jen have a major confrontation where their marriage appears to be over. Jen feels she never really knew Spencer, and Spencer realizes he's destroyed the one good thing in his life through his deception. The "death" of their relationship and the trust between them. Emotionally, this is rock bottom., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Spencer and Jen reconcile and choose each other. They discover the identity of who's behind the assassination contract. Armed with the truth and renewed commitment to each other, they decide to face the threat together as a united team. They synthesize their skills: Spencer's training and Jen's determination., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Killers's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Killers against these established plot points, we can identify how Robert Luketic utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Killers within the action genre.
Robert Luketic's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Robert Luketic films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Killers represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Robert Luketic filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Robert Luketic analyses, see Legally Blonde, 21 and The Ugly Truth.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Spencer Aimes completes an assassination in Nice, France. Jen Kornfeldt drowns her sorrows at the hotel bar after breaking up with her boyfriend. Two broken people in their respective "before" states: Spencer trapped in violence, Jen trapped in romantic disappointment.
Theme
Jen's father makes a comment about trust and honesty in relationships, foreshadowing the central conflict. The theme of whether you can truly know someone and whether love can survive secrets is planted.
Worldbuilding
Spencer and Jen meet by chance in Nice and fall in love over a whirlwind romance. We establish Spencer's secret life as an assassin, Jen's cautious romantic nature, her overprotective parents, and the facade Spencer maintains. Spencer receives orders for his next assignment but is conflicted.
Disruption
Spencer quits being an assassin to be with Jen, choosing love over his former life. He tells his handler he's done, makes an active choice to change his life, and proposes to Jen on the elevator. This disrupts his status quo as a hitman.
Resistance
Three years later: Spencer and Jen live an idyllic suburban life. Spencer works in construction, they have a beautiful home and seemingly perfect marriage. However, tension builds as Jen wants to have "the baby talk" and Spencer continues to keep his past secret. Small cracks appear in the perfect facade.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Spencer's former handler contacts him, and immediately after, a neighbor tries to kill Spencer in his own home. Spencer kills the attacker in self-defense. The old world violently crashes into the new world. Spencer must now confront that his past hasn't let him go, entering Act 2.
Mirror World
Jen discovers the truth about Spencer's past as an assassin. The relationship that was supposed to teach both of them about trust and honesty is shattered by the revelation. This relationship will carry the emotional weight of the theme throughout Act 2.
Premise
The "fun and games" of the premise: a married couple on the run from assassins. Spencer and Jen must work together despite their trust issues. Multiple neighbors and friends are revealed to be assassins sent to kill Spencer. Action-comedy set pieces of suburban warfare, car chases, and close calls. Jen learns to shoot and fight.
Midpoint
Spencer and Jen discover that anyone around them could be an assassin - even their closest friends. The stakes are raised when they realize there's a bounty on Spencer's head and they can't trust anyone. False defeat: the safe suburban world is completely compromised. The marriage is also at its breaking point.
Opposition
The attacks intensify. More assassins close in from all sides. Spencer and Jen's relationship deteriorates as secrets and lies pile up. Jen questions everything about their marriage. Spencer's inability to be fully honest continues to create distance. They must involve Jen's parents, putting them in danger. The opposition tightens the noose.
Collapse
Spencer and Jen have a major confrontation where their marriage appears to be over. Jen feels she never really knew Spencer, and Spencer realizes he's destroyed the one good thing in his life through his deception. The "death" of their relationship and the trust between them. Emotionally, this is rock bottom.
Crisis
Spencer and Jen separately process the devastation of their broken trust. Spencer contemplates what matters most. Jen reflects on whether the man she loves is real or a lie. Both must decide if their love is worth fighting for despite the betrayal and danger.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Spencer and Jen reconcile and choose each other. They discover the identity of who's behind the assassination contract. Armed with the truth and renewed commitment to each other, they decide to face the threat together as a united team. They synthesize their skills: Spencer's training and Jen's determination.
Synthesis
The finale: Spencer and Jen confront the mastermind behind the assassination plot. A climactic action sequence where they fight together as true partners. They defeat the villain using both Spencer's skills and their combined ingenuity. Jen proves she's not the sheltered person she was. Spencer proves he can be honest and committed.
Transformation
Spencer and Jen in their new normal: still married, but now with complete honesty and acceptance of each other's true selves. They've embraced both the adventure and the authenticity. A mirror of the opening but transformed - no longer running from who they are, but integrated and stronger together.