Like a Boss
Two female friends with very different ideals decide to start a beauty company together. One is more practical, while the other wants to earn her fortune and live a lavish lifestyle.
The film underperformed commercially against its mid-range budget of $29.0M, earning $26.9M globally (-7% loss).
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%)
Like a Boss (2020) demonstrates deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Miguel Arteta's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 23 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Mia Carter
Mel Paige
Claire Luna
Barrett
Josh
Main Cast & Characters
Mia Carter
Played by Tiffany Haddish
Creative and spontaneous co-founder of a beauty company, struggles with financial responsibility but excels at product innovation.
Mel Paige
Played by Rose Byrne
Organized and business-minded co-founder who handles finances and keeps the company grounded, dreams of opening stores nationwide.
Claire Luna
Played by Salma Hayek
Ruthless cosmetics mogul who attempts to take over Mia and Mel's company through manipulation and corporate maneuvering.
Barrett
Played by Billy Porter
Mia's one-night stand who becomes a romantic interest, initially appears shallow but proves to be supportive and genuine.
Josh
Played by Ari Graynor
Mel's husband who supports her business ambitions while managing their relationship and home life.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Mia and Mel run their struggling beauty company together, best friends since childhood living paycheck to paycheck but happy in their partnership.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 9 minutes when Cosmetics mogul Claire Luna notices their company and makes an unexpected offer to buy 49% of their business, bringing both opportunity and threat.. 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 20 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Mia and Mel actively choose to accept Claire's deal and enter the corporate world, signing the contract that will change everything., moving from reaction to action.
At 40 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Claire's manipulation reaches a peak as she successfully creates conflict between Mia and Mel, making them question each other's commitment and raising the stakes of their partnership., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 61 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Mia and Mel have a devastating fight and their friendship appears to die. They dissolve their partnership, with Claire poised to take full control of the company., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 65 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Mia and Mel discover Claire's true manipulative scheme and realize they were played. They reconcile and unite to take back their company and friendship., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Like a Boss'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 Like a Boss against these established plot points, we can identify how Miguel Arteta utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Like a Boss within the comedy genre.
Miguel Arteta's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Miguel Arteta films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Like a Boss represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Miguel Arteta filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Miguel Arteta analyses, see Cedar Rapids, Youth in Revolt and The Good Girl.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Mia and Mel run their struggling beauty company together, best friends since childhood living paycheck to paycheck but happy in their partnership.
Theme
A character mentions that real friendship means being honest even when it's hard, and that success means nothing if you lose yourself.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Mia and Mel's beauty company, their contrasting personalities, their massive debt, their loyal friendship, and their small but devoted customer base.
Disruption
Cosmetics mogul Claire Luna notices their company and makes an unexpected offer to buy 49% of their business, bringing both opportunity and threat.
Resistance
Mia and Mel debate whether to accept Claire's offer. They research her reputation, discuss their fears about losing control, and weigh financial salvation against their independence.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Mia and Mel actively choose to accept Claire's deal and enter the corporate world, signing the contract that will change everything.
Mirror World
Introduction to the glamorous but cutthroat corporate beauty world and Claire's ruthless business philosophy, which will test their friendship.
Premise
Mia and Mel enjoy their newfound success, luxurious perks, and business growth, but Claire begins manipulating them and driving wedges between them.
Midpoint
Claire's manipulation reaches a peak as she successfully creates conflict between Mia and Mel, making them question each other's commitment and raising the stakes of their partnership.
Opposition
Mia and Mel's friendship deteriorates as Claire exploits their differences, pits them against each other, and each begins to suspect the other of betrayal.
Collapse
Mia and Mel have a devastating fight and their friendship appears to die. They dissolve their partnership, with Claire poised to take full control of the company.
Crisis
Both women separately reflect on what they've lost, realizing that their friendship meant more than any business success. They process their grief and mistakes.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Mia and Mel discover Claire's true manipulative scheme and realize they were played. They reconcile and unite to take back their company and friendship.
Synthesis
Mia and Mel execute a plan to expose Claire's deception, win back their company, and demonstrate that their friendship and authenticity are their true strengths.
Transformation
Mia and Mel rebuild their company on their own terms, wiser about business but committed to never losing their friendship again. They're still themselves, but stronger together.