Narrow Margin
An L.A. District Attorney attempts to take an unwilling murder witness back to the United States to testify against a top-level mob boss. Frantically attempting to escape two deadly hitmen sent to silence her, they board a Vancouver-bound train only to discover that the killers are onboard with them. For the next 20 hours, as the train hurls through the beautiful but isolated Canadian wilderness, a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues in which their ability to tell friend from foe is a matter of life and death.
The film struggled financially against its moderate budget of $17.5M, earning $10.9M globally (-38% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling within the action genre.
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%)
Narrow Margin (1990) demonstrates meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Peter Hyams's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 37 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes LA Deputy DA Robert Caulfield is shown as a by-the-book prosecutor, comfortable in his urban legal world, reviewing case files in his office.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Caulfield and his partner travel to a remote Canadian cabin to convince reluctant witness Carol Hunnicut to testify. She witnessed a mob hit and is terrified.. 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 shows the protagonist's commitment to Caulfield makes the active choice to protect Carol and get her to Los Angeles by train through the Canadian wilderness, committing to a dangerous journey outside his legal comfort zone., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The hitmen identify Caulfield and Carol. A violent confrontation occurs on the moving train, raising the stakes. They narrowly escape but are now in open chase mode with nowhere to hide., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 72 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The lead hitman corners them and seems to have won. Caulfield is disarmed and helpless, facing certain death. All hope appears lost as the assassin prepares to execute them both., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 77 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Caulfield synthesizes his legal intelligence with Carol's survival instincts, devising a plan to turn the train's environment against the killers. He commits to action over procedure., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Narrow Margin'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 Narrow Margin against these established plot points, we can identify how Peter Hyams utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Narrow Margin within the action genre.
Peter Hyams's Structural Approach
Among the 14 Peter Hyams films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Narrow Margin takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Peter Hyams filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Peter Hyams analyses, see The Presidio, Timecop and Running Scared.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
LA Deputy DA Robert Caulfield is shown as a by-the-book prosecutor, comfortable in his urban legal world, reviewing case files in his office.
Theme
Caulfield's partner mentions that sometimes you have to leave your comfort zone to get the truth, hinting at the theme of duty versus self-preservation.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Caulfield's world as a prosecutor, his relationship with his partner, and the introduction of the high-profile mob case requiring a witness. Carol Hunnicut is identified as the key eyewitness to a mob murder.
Disruption
Caulfield and his partner travel to a remote Canadian cabin to convince reluctant witness Carol Hunnicut to testify. She witnessed a mob hit and is terrified.
Resistance
Caulfield attempts to persuade Carol to come back and testify. Mob hitmen attack the cabin, killing Caulfield's partner. Caulfield must decide whether to run or fight to get Carol to safety and to trial.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Caulfield makes the active choice to protect Carol and get her to Los Angeles by train through the Canadian wilderness, committing to a dangerous journey outside his legal comfort zone.
Mirror World
On the train, Caulfield and Carol begin to bond despite their different backgrounds. Carol represents a world of self-reliance and distrust of authority that challenges Caulfield's faith in the system.
Premise
Cat-and-mouse thriller on the train. Caulfield realizes the hitmen are aboard and must protect Carol while maintaining cover. Tension builds as they navigate the confined space, trying to identify the killers among passengers.
Midpoint
The hitmen identify Caulfield and Carol. A violent confrontation occurs on the moving train, raising the stakes. They narrowly escape but are now in open chase mode with nowhere to hide.
Opposition
The hunters close in systematically. Caulfield and Carol are trapped on the train with dwindling options. Trust issues surface between them, and Caulfield questions whether he can save them both using legal methods.
Collapse
The lead hitman corners them and seems to have won. Caulfield is disarmed and helpless, facing certain death. All hope appears lost as the assassin prepares to execute them both.
Crisis
In the darkest moment, Caulfield must reconcile his by-the-book methods with the brutal reality. He realizes survival requires embracing Carol's resourcefulness and breaking his own rules.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Caulfield synthesizes his legal intelligence with Carol's survival instincts, devising a plan to turn the train's environment against the killers. He commits to action over procedure.
Synthesis
Climactic confrontation on the train. Caulfield uses the narrow confines and his newfound resourcefulness to defeat the hitmen. Carol and Caulfield work as a team, combining their strengths to survive and ensure justice.
Transformation
Caulfield, now hardened and transformed, delivers Carol safely to testify. He is no longer just a prosecutor but someone who understands justice requires courage beyond the courtroom. Carol agrees to testify, trusting the system through him.