Nine Queens
Early one morning, Marcos observes Juan successfully pulling off a bill-changing scam on a cashier, and then getting caught as he attempts to pull the same trick on the next shift. Marcos steps in, claiming to be a policeman, and drags Juan out of the store. Once they are back on the street, Marcos reveals himself to be a fellow swindler with a game of much higher stakes in mind, and he invites Juan to be his partner in crime. A once-in-a-lifetime scheme seemingly falls into their laps - an old-time con man enlists them to sell a forged set of extremely valuable rare stamps, The Nine Queens. The tricky negotiations that ensue bring into the picture a cast of suspicious characters, including Marcos' sister Valeria, their younger brother Federico and a slew of thieves, conmen and pickpockets. As the deceptions mount, it becomes more and more difficult to figure out who is conning whom.
Despite its tight budget of $1.3M, Nine Queens became a massive hit, earning $12.4M worldwide—a remarkable 855% return. The film's distinctive approach found its audience, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
22 wins & 8 nominations
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%)
Nine Queens (2000) showcases meticulously timed plot construction, characteristic of Fabián Bielinsky's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 54 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 Juan runs a small-time scam at a convenience store, establishing him as a petty con artist working alone in Buenos Aires. The opening shows his routine: confident, small-scale deception for survival.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Marcos receives a call about the "Nine Queens" - a rare sheet of forged stamps worth a fortune. His contact Sandler can't complete the deal and offers to cut Marcos in. This is the big score that changes everything.. 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to They commit to the con. Marcos and Juan actively choose to pursue the forged Nine Queens deal with Vidal Gandolfo, pooling their money to buy the stamps from Sandler. They're now partners in a major crime., moving from reaction to action.
At 57 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False defeat: The Nine Queens stamps are destroyed when Marcos's briefcase is stolen and run over by a truck. The big score appears completely lost. Stakes are raised - they're out their investment and have no way to complete the deal with Gandolfo., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The forged stamps are rejected by Gandolfo's expert, and the deal falls apart. Marcos and Juan are exposed, humiliated, and have lost everything. The dream of the big score is dead. Juan feels betrayed and foolish for trusting Marcos., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 95 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 83% of the runtime. Juan encounters Sandler and discovers the truth: the entire day was an elaborate con orchestrated by Marcos, Valeria, and others to swindle Juan out of his money. The real Nine Queens were never destroyed. Juan realizes he was the mark all along., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Nine Queens'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 Nine Queens against these established plot points, we can identify how Fabián Bielinsky utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Nine Queens within the crime genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Juan runs a small-time scam at a convenience store, establishing him as a petty con artist working alone in Buenos Aires. The opening shows his routine: confident, small-scale deception for survival.
Theme
Marcos catches Juan in another scam and warns him about trust: "In this business, you can't trust anyone." This establishes the central thematic tension between trust and betrayal that will define the entire narrative.
Worldbuilding
Marcos reveals he saw Juan's scam and proposes they work together for one day. We learn the rules of the con artist world, meet various marks, and see their different styles. Marcos is experienced and smooth; Juan is younger and learning.
Disruption
Marcos receives a call about the "Nine Queens" - a rare sheet of forged stamps worth a fortune. His contact Sandler can't complete the deal and offers to cut Marcos in. This is the big score that changes everything.
Resistance
Marcos and Juan debate whether to pursue the Nine Queens deal. They visit the stamp dealer Gandolfo to learn about the stamps and meet the wealthy buyer Vidal Gandolfo. Marcos negotiates, debates strategy, and Juan questions whether this is too big for them.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
They commit to the con. Marcos and Juan actively choose to pursue the forged Nine Queens deal with Vidal Gandolfo, pooling their money to buy the stamps from Sandler. They're now partners in a major crime.
Mirror World
Introduction of Valeria, Marcos's sister, who works at the hotel. She represents a subplot about family, betrayal, and trust. She needs money to keep her job and asks Marcos for help, revealing a strained family relationship that mirrors the trust issues in the main plot.
Premise
The fun and games of the con: setting up the deal with Gandolfo, navigating obstacles, watching Marcos work his magic. Juan learns the art of the big con. They face complications but keep pushing forward, getting deeper into the scheme.
Midpoint
False defeat: The Nine Queens stamps are destroyed when Marcos's briefcase is stolen and run over by a truck. The big score appears completely lost. Stakes are raised - they're out their investment and have no way to complete the deal with Gandolfo.
Opposition
Desperate to salvage the deal, Marcos hatches a plan to forge copies of the Nine Queens. They recruit a forger, gather materials, and race against time. Juan grows increasingly uncomfortable with the escalating deception. Pressure mounts as Gandolfo expects delivery.
Collapse
The forged stamps are rejected by Gandolfo's expert, and the deal falls apart. Marcos and Juan are exposed, humiliated, and have lost everything. The dream of the big score is dead. Juan feels betrayed and foolish for trusting Marcos.
Crisis
Juan confronts Marcos, their partnership dissolves in anger and recrimination. Juan is broke, defeated, and alone. He wanders Buenos Aires processing the loss, questioning everything he thought he learned about the con game and trust.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Juan encounters Sandler and discovers the truth: the entire day was an elaborate con orchestrated by Marcos, Valeria, and others to swindle Juan out of his money. The real Nine Queens were never destroyed. Juan realizes he was the mark all along.
Synthesis
Armed with this knowledge, Juan tracks down the conspirators. He confronts Valeria and Marcos, exposing their scheme. In a final twist, Juan reveals he pulled his own counter-con, having switched the real stamps with forgeries, turning the tables on Marcos.
Transformation
Final image: Juan walks away with the real Nine Queens stamps and the money, having out-conned the master. Unlike the opening where he ran small scams alone, he now leaves the con artist life behind, transformed by the experience of being both victim and victor.