Knockaround Guys

The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Matty Demaret narrates his struggle as a mob boss's son who can't get legitimate work because of his last name. Despite a college degree, he's stuck in limbo - too connected to the mob for straight society, but not trusted enough by his father to be given real responsibility in the family business.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.

The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when After yet another job rejection, Matty finally convinces his father to give him a chance to prove himself. Benny reluctantly agrees to let Matty handle a simple courier job: picking up $500,000 from a Seattle contact. This is Matty's opportunity to show he can be trusted with family business, but the stakes are high - failure could mean permanent exile from both worlds.. At 11% 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 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Disaster strikes: Scarpa loses the money. After picking up the $500,000, the young courier makes an unscheduled landing in Wibaux, Montana, and the money disappears. Matty makes the active choice to fix this himself rather than confess to his father. He decides to take his crew to Montana to find the money, crossing the threshold from passive wannabe to active participant in the criminal world., moving from reaction to action.

At 45 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False victory: Matty and the crew locate the money and the deputy who stole it. They successfully retrieve the $500,000 through intimidation and force. It seems like the mission is accomplished and Matty will return home victorious, having proven himself. However, the stakes raise immediately - Sheriff Decker knows what they've done and won't let them leave town quietly. The easy win becomes complicated., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.

The Collapse moment at 64 minutes (70% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The situation reaches its lowest point: the sheriff has them cornered, Uncle Teddy arrives revealing Matty's deception to his father, and the crew faces potential arrest or death. Matty's attempt to prove himself has backfired spectacularly. His father's trust is destroyed, his crew is in danger, and there seems to be no way out. The whiff of death is literal - violence has already occurred, and more seems inevitable., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.

The Second Threshold at 70 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 76% of the runtime. Synthesis moment: Matty realizes he must take full responsibility and face both the sheriff and his father with the truth. He combines what he's learned about loyalty and respect with decisive action. Rather than running or lying further, Matty chooses to confront the situation head-on, proving he has the courage and integrity his father always wanted to see. He formulates a plan to resolve the standoff., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.