Megan Leavey
Megan Leavey is a US Marine corporal who served as a Military Police K9 handler. She was paired with military working dog Rex (E168). The pair served two deployments in Iraq together. They were first deployed to Fallujah in 2005, and then to Ramadi in 2006, where they were both wounded by an improvised explosive device. Leavey was awarded the Purple Heart and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a "V" device denoting heroism in combat..
The film earned $13.4M at the global box office.
1 win & 1 nomination
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%)
Megan Leavey (2017) demonstrates strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Gabriela Cowperthwaite's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 56 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 Megan is directionless, living with her alcoholic mother, partying and wasting her life. She's stuck in a dead-end existence with no purpose or future.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Megan is assigned to the K9 unit as punishment duty for disciplinary issues. This seemingly negative assignment will change her life, though she doesn't know it yet.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Megan makes the choice to become Rex's handler. She commits fully to the intensive training required to work with this difficult dog. She enters the new world of being a combat K9 team., moving from reaction to action.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Megan and Rex successfully complete a critical mission, earning respect and commendation. They're at the peak of their effectiveness as a team. False victory: they seem unstoppable, but the stakes are about to get much higher., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 87 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Megan and Rex are caught in an IED explosion. Both are severely wounded. Megan suffers injuries and PTSD. Rex is also injured. They're separated as both recover. Megan faces losing Rex forever - the whiff of death for their partnership., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 93 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Megan decides to fight the military bureaucracy to adopt Rex. She realizes the bond they share is worth fighting for. Armed with everything she learned about loyalty and purpose, she launches a campaign to bring Rex home., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Megan Leavey'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 Megan Leavey against these established plot points, we can identify how Gabriela Cowperthwaite utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Megan Leavey within the action genre.
Gabriela Cowperthwaite's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Gabriela Cowperthwaite films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Megan Leavey exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Gabriela Cowperthwaite filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Gabriela Cowperthwaite analyses, see I.S.S..
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Megan is directionless, living with her alcoholic mother, partying and wasting her life. She's stuck in a dead-end existence with no purpose or future.
Theme
A Marine recruiter or drill instructor tells Megan that the Marines will give her discipline, purpose, and something worth fighting for - the theme of finding meaning through service and connection.
Worldbuilding
Establish Megan's broken home life, strained relationship with her mother, aimless partying. She enlists in the Marines seeking escape and purpose. Boot camp shows her struggling with authority and discipline.
Disruption
Megan is assigned to the K9 unit as punishment duty for disciplinary issues. This seemingly negative assignment will change her life, though she doesn't know it yet.
Resistance
Megan initially resists the K9 unit work, seeing it as grunt labor. She meets Rex, an aggressive German Shepherd that no one can handle. Gunny Martin mentors her on working with military dogs. She begins to bond with Rex.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Megan makes the choice to become Rex's handler. She commits fully to the intensive training required to work with this difficult dog. She enters the new world of being a combat K9 team.
Mirror World
Megan develops a deep bond with Rex during training. Their relationship becomes the emotional core - teaching her about trust, loyalty, and unconditional connection. Matt Morales, a fellow handler, also enters as potential romantic interest.
Premise
Megan and Rex train together, overcoming Rex's aggression through patience and trust. They deploy to Iraq. The "fun and games" of the premise: watching this unlikely team succeed on dangerous bomb-detection missions, saving lives together.
Midpoint
Megan and Rex successfully complete a critical mission, earning respect and commendation. They're at the peak of their effectiveness as a team. False victory: they seem unstoppable, but the stakes are about to get much higher.
Opposition
Missions become more dangerous. The constant threat of IEDs intensifies. Megan faces the moral weight of war. Tension builds toward the inevitable catastrophic event. Her connection with Rex deepens as danger increases.
Collapse
Megan and Rex are caught in an IED explosion. Both are severely wounded. Megan suffers injuries and PTSD. Rex is also injured. They're separated as both recover. Megan faces losing Rex forever - the whiff of death for their partnership.
Crisis
Megan struggles with PTSD and adjustment to civilian life. She learns Rex is being retired but she can't adopt him due to military regulations. Dark night: she's lost her purpose again, and the one connection that saved her is being taken away.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Megan decides to fight the military bureaucracy to adopt Rex. She realizes the bond they share is worth fighting for. Armed with everything she learned about loyalty and purpose, she launches a campaign to bring Rex home.
Synthesis
Megan battles red tape, gathers support from fellow Marines and the public. She uses her newfound determination and the connections she built. The finale synthesizes her growth: the directionless girl is now someone who fights for what matters.
Transformation
Megan is reunited with Rex. Final image mirrors the opening: where she once was lost and alone, she now has purpose, connection, and family. She's transformed from a broken girl into a woman who knows what truly matters - loyalty and love.