Ocean's Eleven
Danny Ocean wants to score the biggest heist in history. He combines an eleven member team, including Frank Catton, Rusty Ryan and Linus Caldwell. Their target? The Bellagio, the Mirage and the MGM Grand. All casinos owned by Terry Benedict. It's not going to be easy, as they plan to get in secretly and out with $150 million.
Despite a considerable budget of $85.0M, Ocean's Eleven became a commercial success, earning $450.7M worldwide—a 430% return.
4 wins & 20 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%)
Ocean's Eleven (2001) reveals strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Steven Soderbergh'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 6.4, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Danny Ocean
Rusty Ryan
Terry Benedict
Tess Ocean
Linus Caldwell
Reuben Tishkoff
Saul Bloom
Basher Tarr
Frank Catton
Virgil Malloy
Turk Malloy
Livingston Dell
Yen
Main Cast & Characters
Danny Ocean
Played by George Clooney
A charming, recently paroled thief who masterminds an elaborate heist of three Las Vegas casinos while secretly pursuing his ex-wife.
Rusty Ryan
Played by Brad Pitt
Danny's right-hand man and longtime partner, a smooth-talking con artist who helps recruit and coordinate the crew.
Terry Benedict
Played by Andy Garcia
The ruthless and calculating owner of three Las Vegas casinos who becomes the target of the heist and Danny's romantic rival.
Tess Ocean
Played by Julia Roberts
Danny's ex-wife who is now dating Terry Benedict, caught between her past love and present relationship.
Linus Caldwell
Played by Matt Damon
A young, talented pickpocket eager to prove himself among the veteran thieves and earn his place in the crew.
Reuben Tishkoff
Played by Elliott Gould
A wealthy former casino owner who bankrolls the heist seeking revenge against Terry Benedict for forcing him out of the business.
Saul Bloom
Played by Carl Reiner
An aging con man and master of disguise who comes out of semi-retirement for one last big score.
Basher Tarr
Played by Don Cheadle
A British explosives expert with a cocky attitude who provides the pyrotechnics needed for the vault heist.
Frank Catton
Played by Bernie Mac
A casino dealer and inside man who provides crucial access and information about the Bellagio's operations.
Virgil Malloy
Played by Casey Affleck
One half of the bickering Malloy brothers, a mechanic and getaway driver from Utah.
Turk Malloy
Played by Scott Caan
The other half of the Malloy brothers, constantly arguing with his sibling while serving as backup driver.
Livingston Dell
Played by Eddie Jemison
A nervous surveillance and electronics expert who handles the technical aspects of infiltrating the casino's security systems.
Yen
Played by Shaobo Qin
A Chinese acrobat and contortionist known as 'The Amazing Yen' whose flexibility is essential for accessing the vault.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Danny Ocean is released from prison, alone and stripped of his old life. His parole officer asks if he's learned his lesson - he claims he has, but we see the wheels already turning.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Danny sees Tess for the first time since his incarceration - she's now with Terry Benedict, the owner of the casinos Danny plans to rob. The heist becomes personal, adding emotional stakes to the already impossible job.. 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to The full crew of eleven commits to the heist. They meet together for the first time as a unit. Danny makes the final pitch and they all shake hands - no turning back. The team enters the world of the impossible heist., moving from reaction to action.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat The team successfully plants Yen inside the vault during the boxing match. False victory - they're inside the impregnable vault, everything seems to be going according to plan. Stakes raise: now they're committed and exposed., 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, Benedict appears to gain the upper hand - he has the crew on camera, knows their faces, and watches them seemingly fail to break into the vault on his monitor. The "whiff of death" - the heist appears to have failed completely. All is lost., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 92 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The reveal: the heist was successful all along. The vault footage was faked, the money is already gone, and Benedict has been played. Danny synthesizes the con with genuine sacrifice - he gives Benedict a choice: lose the money or send Danny to jail., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Ocean's Eleven'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 Ocean's Eleven against these established plot points, we can identify how Steven Soderbergh utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Ocean's Eleven within the crime genre.
Steven Soderbergh's Structural Approach
Among the 17 Steven Soderbergh films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Ocean's Eleven takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Steven Soderbergh filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Rustom and The Whole Ten Yards. For more Steven Soderbergh analyses, see Ocean's Twelve, Ocean's Thirteen and Contagion.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Danny Ocean is released from prison, alone and stripped of his old life. His parole officer asks if he's learned his lesson - he claims he has, but we see the wheels already turning.
Theme
Rusty tells a celebrity client: "You're a little green" about gambling. The theme of risk, odds, and knowing when you're outmatched is established - the house always wins unless you change the game.
Worldbuilding
Danny reunites with Rusty and proposes the impossible: robbing three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously. We meet the world of high-stakes cons, see Danny's charm and ambition, and learn he's violating parole by even being in Vegas.
Disruption
Danny sees Tess for the first time since his incarceration - she's now with Terry Benedict, the owner of the casinos Danny plans to rob. The heist becomes personal, adding emotional stakes to the already impossible job.
Resistance
Danny and Rusty assemble the team, each recruit bringing specialized skills. Rusty debates whether this is about the money or about Tess. Danny must convince each member the job is possible despite the odds. The plan takes shape.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The full crew of eleven commits to the heist. They meet together for the first time as a unit. Danny makes the final pitch and they all shake hands - no turning back. The team enters the world of the impossible heist.
Mirror World
Danny confronts Benedict directly and sees Tess with him. Benedict is cold, ruthless, and possessive - everything Danny isn't. This relationship triangle represents the choice between the con life and genuine connection.
Premise
The fun and games of planning the heist: surveillance, rehearsals, infiltration, building the elaborate scheme. We see the team's skills in action, the casino's security systems, and the intricate plan coming together. Classic heist movie pleasures.
Midpoint
The team successfully plants Yen inside the vault during the boxing match. False victory - they're inside the impregnable vault, everything seems to be going according to plan. Stakes raise: now they're committed and exposed.
Opposition
The heist execution begins and complications arise. Benedict's security is tighter than expected. Livingston is caught and beaten. The SWAT team arrival complicates the plan. Tess confronts Danny about his motives. Pressure intensifies on every front.
Collapse
Benedict appears to gain the upper hand - he has the crew on camera, knows their faces, and watches them seemingly fail to break into the vault on his monitor. The "whiff of death" - the heist appears to have failed completely. All is lost.
Crisis
Benedict confronts Danny in the vault. Danny appears defeated, willing to go back to prison. The dark moment where it seems Danny has lost everything - the money, Tess, and his freedom. The crew watches helplessly.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The reveal: the heist was successful all along. The vault footage was faked, the money is already gone, and Benedict has been played. Danny synthesizes the con with genuine sacrifice - he gives Benedict a choice: lose the money or send Danny to jail.
Synthesis
The final act reveals how every piece came together. Each crew member gets their share and walks away clean. Benedict chooses to release Danny rather than admit he was robbed. The team executes their exit strategy flawlessly. Resolution of all threads.
Transformation
Danny stands outside prison where Tess picks him up. Mirror of the opening where he left alone - now he's transformed, reunited with Tess, and has proven himself. They drive off together into the night, Danny choosing love over the con.