Licence to Kill
James Bond is on possibly his most brutal mission yet. Bond's good friend, Felix Leiter, is left near death, by drug baron Franz Sanchez. Bond sets off on the hunt for Sanchez, but not everyone is happy. MI6 does not feel Sanchez is their problem and strips Bond of his license to kill making Bond more dangerous than ever. Bond gains the aid of one of Leiter's friends, known as Pam Bouvier and sneaks his way into the drug factories, which Sanchez owns. Will Bond be able to keep his identity secret, or will Sanchez see Bond's true intentions?
Despite a respectable budget of $32.0M, Licence to Kill became a box office success, earning $156.2M worldwide—a 388% return.
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%)
Licence to Kill (1989) exemplifies carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of John Glen's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 13 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Bond and Felix Leiter in DEA helicopter pursuing drug lord Franz Sanchez. Bond is in his element as 007, performing his duty with his best friend, showing camaraderie and professional competence before everything changes.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Bond discovers Felix maimed by shark and Della murdered. The note reads "He disagreed with something that ate him." Bond's personal world is shattered, transforming his mission from professional duty to personal vengeance.. 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 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Bond resigns from MI6 and surrenders his weapon. He makes the active choice to abandon his professional life and become a rogue agent on a personal mission of vengeance against Sanchez., moving from reaction to action.
At 67 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Bond earns Sanchez's complete trust by appearing to save him from assassination. False victory: Bond is now in the inner circle with access to kill Sanchez, but he's also deeper in the criminal world and more isolated from any support., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 98 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Sanchez discovers Bond's deception and identity. Bond is captured and about to be killed. His plan has failed, his cover is blown, and the personal revenge mission appears to have cost him everything including his life., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 106 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Bond gains new resolve and information about Sanchez's convoy escape route. He synthesizes his professional skills with his personal motivation, ready for the final confrontation with clarity about what must be done., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Licence to Kill'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 Licence to Kill against these established plot points, we can identify how John Glen utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Licence to Kill within the action genre.
John Glen's Structural Approach
Among the 3 John Glen films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Licence to Kill takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete John Glen filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more John Glen analyses, see Christopher Columbus: The Discovery, A View to a Kill.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Bond and Felix Leiter in DEA helicopter pursuing drug lord Franz Sanchez. Bond is in his element as 007, performing his duty with his best friend, showing camaraderie and professional competence before everything changes.
Theme
At Felix's wedding, Felix tells Bond "I guess this is it. This is the last time." Theme of loyalty and what happens when personal bonds conflict with professional duty is introduced.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Bond's world: successful Sanchez capture, Felix's wedding celebration, introduction of DEA operations, the corruption that allows Sanchez to escape, and the brutal attack on Felix and murder of his wife Della.
Disruption
Bond discovers Felix maimed by shark and Della murdered. The note reads "He disagreed with something that ate him." Bond's personal world is shattered, transforming his mission from professional duty to personal vengeance.
Resistance
Bond pursues vengeance despite M's orders. He revokes Bond's license to kill and attempts to bring him back to duty. Bond debates between following orders and avenging Felix, ultimately choosing revenge and going rogue.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Bond resigns from MI6 and surrenders his weapon. He makes the active choice to abandon his professional life and become a rogue agent on a personal mission of vengeance against Sanchez.
Mirror World
Bond meets Pam Bouvier, a pilot and CIA informant who becomes his partner. She represents a different kind of loyalty - choosing to help Bond despite the risks, embodying the theme of personal commitment over institutional duty.
Premise
Bond infiltrates Sanchez's organization in Isthmus City, posing as an assassin for hire. The "promise of the premise" - Bond without official support, using his skills for personal revenge, navigating the criminal underworld and gaining Sanchez's trust.
Midpoint
Bond earns Sanchez's complete trust by appearing to save him from assassination. False victory: Bond is now in the inner circle with access to kill Sanchez, but he's also deeper in the criminal world and more isolated from any support.
Opposition
Sanchez grows suspicious, other characters' agendas complicate Bond's plan. Pam and Q's involvement puts them at risk. The elaborate drug operation is revealed. Bond's manipulation tactics become more dangerous as Sanchez's paranoia increases.
Collapse
Sanchez discovers Bond's deception and identity. Bond is captured and about to be killed. His plan has failed, his cover is blown, and the personal revenge mission appears to have cost him everything including his life.
Crisis
Bond escapes but must regroup. In the dark moment, he processes the cost of his revenge mission and realizes he must finish what he started. The emotional low before the final confrontation.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Bond gains new resolve and information about Sanchez's convoy escape route. He synthesizes his professional skills with his personal motivation, ready for the final confrontation with clarity about what must be done.
Synthesis
The tanker truck chase finale. Bond systematically destroys Sanchez's operation and confronts him directly. The final fight combines Bond's training with personal fury, culminating in Sanchez's death by fire.
Transformation
Bond at the celebration with Pam, finally able to smile and relax. He's completed his revenge but learned the cost of abandoning duty for personal vendetta. The closing image shows Bond transformed - still capable of warmth but marked by the darker journey.