Locke
Ivan Locke has worked hard to craft a good life for himself. Tonight, that life will collapse around him. On the eve of the biggest challenge of his career, Ivan receives a phone call that sets in motion a series of events that will unravel his family, job, and soul.
Despite its small-scale budget of $2.0M, Locke became a financial success, earning $4.6M worldwide—a 132% 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%)
Locke (2014) exhibits deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Steven Knight's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 25 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Locke sits in his BMW at a construction site, composed and professional, receiving a call confirming tomorrow's massive concrete pour. He is the reliable foreman, the man who has everything under control.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 3 minutes when Locke turns away from home, driving south toward London instead of north. This single decision—to drive to the hospital for a woman he barely knows who is having his child—disrupts everything: his job, his marriage, his family, his reputation.. At 4% through the film, this Disruption arrives earlier than typical, accelerating the narrative momentum. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 19 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 22% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Locke tells his wife Katrina the truth: he had a one-night encounter, the woman is having his baby tonight, and he's driving to London to be there. He crosses the threshold from his old life into complete unknown, burning bridges with full awareness., moving from reaction to action.
At 43 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Locke is fired by Gareth. His nine-year career, his professional identity, and the biggest project of his life are stripped away. False defeat: he believes he can still guide the pour remotely through Donal, salvaging something from the wreckage., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 63 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Locke breaks down screaming at his father's ghost in the rearview mirror, finally releasing his rage and anguish. The composed, controlled man shatters. His voice cracks, tears flow. The mask of competence dies, revealing the terrified human underneath., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 69 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Locke receives confirmation that Bethan is going into labor. Despite everything lost, his choice is validated: he will be there. He synthesizes his professional precision with his newfound acceptance of imperfection and human responsibility. He steadies himself for the final approach., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Locke's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Locke against these established plot points, we can identify how Steven Knight utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Locke within the drama genre.
Steven Knight's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Steven Knight films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Locke represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Steven Knight filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Steven Knight analyses, see Hummingbird, Serenity.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Locke sits in his BMW at a construction site, composed and professional, receiving a call confirming tomorrow's massive concrete pour. He is the reliable foreman, the man who has everything under control.
Theme
Bethan mentions on the phone: "You don't have to come." Locke responds about doing the right thing. The theme is stated: one mistake, one choice to take responsibility, and the cost of integrity versus the easier path of avoidance.
Worldbuilding
Through phone calls, we learn Locke's world: a critical concrete pour tomorrow worth millions, a loving family expecting him home for a football match, his meticulous professional reputation, and his working-class background that he's transcended through discipline.
Disruption
Locke turns away from home, driving south toward London instead of north. This single decision—to drive to the hospital for a woman he barely knows who is having his child—disrupts everything: his job, his marriage, his family, his reputation.
Resistance
Locke debates his choice through calls with Donal (his assistant), Bethan (the mother), and his wife Katrina. He tries to manage the concrete pour remotely, prepare Donal to take over, and explain his absence to his family without revealing the truth yet.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Locke tells his wife Katrina the truth: he had a one-night encounter, the woman is having his baby tonight, and he's driving to London to be there. He crosses the threshold from his old life into complete unknown, burning bridges with full awareness.
Mirror World
Locke begins talking to his dead father in the rearview mirror. His father abandoned his responsibilities; Locke refuses to repeat that pattern. This "mirror world" relationship explores the thematic question: What does it mean to be a good man?
Premise
The "premise" of Locke: watch a man lose everything in real-time while maintaining absolute composure. He juggles calls managing the pour, comforting terrified Bethan, facing his family's devastation, and confronting his absent father's ghost. Every call costs him more.
Midpoint
Locke is fired by Gareth. His nine-year career, his professional identity, and the biggest project of his life are stripped away. False defeat: he believes he can still guide the pour remotely through Donal, salvaging something from the wreckage.
Opposition
Everything intensifies. His sons refuse to speak to him. Katrina's pain becomes unbearable. Donal panics about the concrete pour specifications. Bethan grows more frightened and alone. Locke's control—his defining characteristic—begins to crack under the mounting pressure.
Collapse
Locke breaks down screaming at his father's ghost in the rearview mirror, finally releasing his rage and anguish. The composed, controlled man shatters. His voice cracks, tears flow. The mask of competence dies, revealing the terrified human underneath.
Crisis
In the darkness after the breakdown, Locke sits with his failure and grief. He has lost his wife, his children's respect, his career, his home. He processes what it means to do the right thing when the right thing costs you everything you value.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Locke receives confirmation that Bethan is going into labor. Despite everything lost, his choice is validated: he will be there. He synthesizes his professional precision with his newfound acceptance of imperfection and human responsibility. He steadies himself for the final approach.
Synthesis
Locke guides Donal through the final concrete pour preparations with renewed focus, achieving professional success even in his firing. He comforts Bethan as she enters the delivery room. He accepts his father's failure and his own. He arrives at the hospital and parks.
Transformation
Locke walks calmly toward the hospital entrance, no longer the man who began the drive. He has lost everything but gained integrity. The composed construction foreman who controlled everything is now a humbled man who chose responsibility over comfort. He enters to meet his son.