Let's Go to Prison
When a career criminal's plan for revenge is thwarted by unlikely circumstances, he puts his intended victim's son in his place by putting him in prison...and then joining him.
Working with a small-scale budget of $4.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $4.6M in global revenue (+16% 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%)
Let's Go to Prison (2006) exemplifies precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Bob Odenkirk's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 29 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
John Lyshitski
Nelson Biederman IV
Barry
Lynard
Main Cast & Characters
John Lyshitski
Played by Dax Shepard
A career criminal who deliberately gets himself sent to prison to torment the son of the judge who wronged him.
Nelson Biederman IV
Played by Will Arnett
A wealthy, naive corporate heir who is framed and sent to prison, becoming John's target and eventual friend.
Barry
Played by Chi McBride
A massive, intimidating inmate who becomes Nelson's "husband" in a prison relationship.
Lynard
Played by David Koechner
John's best friend and criminal partner who helps set up Nelson's frame job.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes John Lyshitski narrates his tragic childhood and repeated incarcerations, establishing him as a lifelong prisoner shaped by a cruel justice system and one merciless judge.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when John discovers Judge Biederman has died, robbing him of his long-awaited revenge. He pivots his vendetta to target the judge's privileged son, Nelson Biederman IV.. 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 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to John voluntarily commits a crime to get himself sent to the same prison as Nelson, crossing the threshold back into incarceration—this time by choice rather than circumstance., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 67 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, John's manipulation is exposed and he faces violent consequences. Barry turns against both of them, and the friendship John unexpectedly built with Nelson appears destroyed along with any hope of redemption., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 71 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. John and Nelson execute a plan involving Nelson's family wealth and connections. The scheme plays out with comedic twists as they work together, combining Nelson's resources with John's criminal expertise., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Let's Go to Prison's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Let's Go to Prison against these established plot points, we can identify how Bob Odenkirk utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Let's Go to Prison within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
John Lyshitski narrates his tragic childhood and repeated incarcerations, establishing him as a lifelong prisoner shaped by a cruel justice system and one merciless judge.
Theme
John declares that the system creates criminals rather than reforming them, stating that prison becomes home for those who know nothing else—questioning whether revenge or redemption defines a person.
Worldbuilding
John's backstory unfolds through narration: his mother's arrest, foster care, juvenile detention, and repeated sentences from Judge Biederman. Upon release, he stalks the judge only to discover he has died.
Disruption
John discovers Judge Biederman has died, robbing him of his long-awaited revenge. He pivots his vendetta to target the judge's privileged son, Nelson Biederman IV.
Resistance
John stalks Nelson, learning about his pampered lifestyle and planning his revenge. He frames Nelson for a DUI with drugs, and deliberately gets himself arrested to follow Nelson into prison and torment him.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
John voluntarily commits a crime to get himself sent to the same prison as Nelson, crossing the threshold back into incarceration—this time by choice rather than circumstance.
Premise
The comedy premise delivers: John torments Nelson through prison hazing while teaching him survival skills. Nelson's fish-out-of-water experiences in prison provide dark comedic moments as he adapts to his new reality.
Opposition
The dynamic shifts as Nelson thrives under Barry's protection while John loses control of his revenge scheme. Barry becomes jealous of John and Nelson's bond, creating dangerous tension. John realizes he actually cares about Nelson.
Collapse
John's manipulation is exposed and he faces violent consequences. Barry turns against both of them, and the friendship John unexpectedly built with Nelson appears destroyed along with any hope of redemption.
Crisis
John confronts the emptiness of his revenge and the unexpected connection he formed with Nelson. He must decide whether to continue his destructive path or risk everything for genuine friendship.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
John and Nelson execute a plan involving Nelson's family wealth and connections. The scheme plays out with comedic twists as they work together, combining Nelson's resources with John's criminal expertise.