Masterminds
A comedy of epic fail proportions.
Working with a moderate budget of $25.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $29.2M in global revenue (+17% 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%)
Masterminds (2016) exhibits meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of Jared Hess's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 35 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
David Ghantt
Steve Chambers
Kelly Campbell
Mike McKinney
Jandice
Michelle Chambers
Main Cast & Characters
David Ghantt
Played by Zach Galifianakis
A naive armored truck driver who orchestrates the $17 million Loomis Fargo heist after being manipulated by Kelly, seeking adventure and romance.
Steve Chambers
Played by Owen Wilson
A scheming small-time criminal who masterminds the heist plan and betrays David, taking the money for himself while living extravagantly.
Kelly Campbell
Played by Kristen Wiig
A former Loomis Fargo employee who recruits David for the heist using romantic manipulation, though she's actually working with Steve.
Mike McKinney
Played by Jason Sudeikis
A violent hitman hired by Steve to kill David, an unhinged and unpredictable enforcer who becomes increasingly dangerous.
Jandice
Played by Kate McKinnon
David's eccentric fiancée who is oblivious to his criminal plans and remains committed to their mundane relationship.
Michelle Chambers
Played by Mary Elizabeth Ellis
Steve's wife who enthusiastically participates in spending the stolen money, unable to resist flaunting their newfound wealth.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes David Ghantt works as a driver for Loomis Fargo armored trucks in Charlotte, North Carolina. He's shown as a simple, awkward man engaged to Jandice, living a mundane existence with unfulfilled dreams.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Kelly, working for Steve Chambers, approaches David about robbing Loomis Fargo. She seduces him with the promise of money, adventure, and a life together in Mexico - disrupting his mundane existence.. 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 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to David commits to the heist plan, agreeing to rob the Loomis Fargo vault. He makes the active choice to become a criminal, crossing the point of no return., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False defeat: David realizes in Mexico that Steve is spending lavishly while sending him almost nothing. Meanwhile, the FBI is closing in and Steve hires a hitman (Mike McKinney) to kill David and eliminate the only witness., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 71 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, David is finally captured by the FBI. He's lost everything - no money, no Kelly, and now his freedom. The dream of a better life has completely collapsed, and he faces the full consequences of his choices., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. David decides to cooperate with the FBI and help take down Steve Chambers. He realizes that true justice means exposing everyone involved, and Kelly reaches out to help, revealing she feels guilty about her role., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Masterminds's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Masterminds against these established plot points, we can identify how Jared Hess utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Masterminds within the short genre.
Jared Hess's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Jared Hess films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Masterminds exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jared Hess filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional short films include Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Dead Money and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. For more Jared Hess analyses, see Napoleon Dynamite, Nacho Libre.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
David Ghantt works as a driver for Loomis Fargo armored trucks in Charlotte, North Carolina. He's shown as a simple, awkward man engaged to Jandice, living a mundane existence with unfulfilled dreams.
Theme
Kelly Campbell tells David that he deserves better than his boring life, planting the seed that he's capable of more - a theme about whether wanting more makes you a criminal or just human.
Worldbuilding
We see David's dead-end job at Loomis Fargo, his engagement to the overbearing Jandice, his friendship with coworker Kelly Campbell, and the introduction of Steve Chambers and his crew of small-time criminals looking for a big score.
Disruption
Kelly, working for Steve Chambers, approaches David about robbing Loomis Fargo. She seduces him with the promise of money, adventure, and a life together in Mexico - disrupting his mundane existence.
Resistance
David debates whether to go through with the heist. Kelly continues to manipulate him while Steve and his crew plan the robbery. David weighs his boring life against the exciting promise of wealth and Kelly.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
David commits to the heist plan, agreeing to rob the Loomis Fargo vault. He makes the active choice to become a criminal, crossing the point of no return.
Mirror World
David's genuine feelings for Kelly are established as more than just lust - he truly believes they'll be together. This romantic subplot represents his desire for authentic connection versus the fake life he's been living.
Premise
The heist unfolds with David loading $17.3 million into a van. He flees to Mexico as planned while Steve and the crew keep the money. David lives in hiding, sending postcards to Kelly, believing he'll soon be rich and reunited with her.
Midpoint
False defeat: David realizes in Mexico that Steve is spending lavishly while sending him almost nothing. Meanwhile, the FBI is closing in and Steve hires a hitman (Mike McKinney) to kill David and eliminate the only witness.
Opposition
The hitman Mike McKinney tracks David to Mexico. Steve and his wife Michelle spend money recklessly, drawing FBI attention. David narrowly survives multiple assassination attempts while realizing Kelly has abandoned him and Steve has betrayed him completely.
Collapse
David is finally captured by the FBI. He's lost everything - no money, no Kelly, and now his freedom. The dream of a better life has completely collapsed, and he faces the full consequences of his choices.
Crisis
In custody, David processes the depth of the betrayal. He learns the full extent of how Steve used him as a patsy while living lavishly. He must decide whether to remain loyal or tell the truth.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
David decides to cooperate with the FBI and help take down Steve Chambers. He realizes that true justice means exposing everyone involved, and Kelly reaches out to help, revealing she feels guilty about her role.
Synthesis
David works with the FBI to build a case against Steve. Kelly provides crucial testimony. The investigation brings down the entire Chambers operation. Steve, Michelle, and the crew are arrested and convicted.
Transformation
Epilogue text reveals David served minimal time for cooperating, while Steve got a long sentence. David is shown as a free man, having learned that shortcuts don't lead to happiness. He's humble but honest - transformed from a dreamer seeking escape to someone accepting reality.