Paranoia
An entry-level employee at a powerful corporation finds himself occupying a corner office, but at a dangerous price—he must spy on his boss's old mentor to secure for him a multi-billion dollar advantage.
The film commercial failure against its mid-range budget of $35.0M, earning $17.1M globally (-51% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its distinctive approach within the drama 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%)
Paranoia (2013) exemplifies meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Robert Luketic's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 46 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Adam Cassidy is a low-level tech employee at Wyatt Corporation with big ambitions but stuck in a dead-end position, living paycheck to paycheck while caring for his working-class father.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Adam and his friends are caught after fraudulently spending company money; Wyatt threatens Adam with prison unless he agrees to become a corporate spy.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Adam accepts his new fabricated identity and walks into Eikon Corporation for his first day, fully committed to the espionage mission despite his moral reservations., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Adam's best friend is killed in a suspicious "accident" orchestrated by Wyatt's people, and Emma discovers Adam's deception and leaves him - he loses everything that matters while trapped between two ruthless corporations., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Adam executes his plan to gather evidence against both CEOs, confronts Wyatt, cooperates with federal authorities, testifies against both corporations, and works to make amends with Emma and his father., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Paranoia's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Paranoia against these established plot points, we can identify how Robert Luketic utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Paranoia within the drama genre.
Robert Luketic's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Robert Luketic films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Paranoia takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Robert Luketic filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Robert Luketic analyses, see Killers, Legally Blonde and 21.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Adam Cassidy is a low-level tech employee at Wyatt Corporation with big ambitions but stuck in a dead-end position, living paycheck to paycheck while caring for his working-class father.
Theme
Adam's father tells him "You can't beat these guys at their own game" - establishing the central question of whether integrity can survive in the cutthroat corporate world.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the corporate technology world, Adam's team pitching their idea to CEO Nicholas Wyatt, the rejection, and Adam's reckless decision to throw an expensive party on the company credit card with his friends.
Disruption
Adam and his friends are caught after fraudulently spending company money; Wyatt threatens Adam with prison unless he agrees to become a corporate spy.
Resistance
Adam debates whether to accept Wyatt's offer, undergoes transformation training (new wardrobe, apartment, identity), and receives coaching from Wyatt's security chief Miles on how to infiltrate rival company Eikon led by Jock Goddard.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Adam accepts his new fabricated identity and walks into Eikon Corporation for his first day, fully committed to the espionage mission despite his moral reservations.
Premise
Adam successfully infiltrates Eikon, gains Goddard's trust, begins stealing corporate secrets, experiences the glamorous high-stakes world of corporate espionage, while falling for Emma and befriending his charismatic rival CEO.
Opposition
The stakes escalate as Adam discovers both Wyatt and Goddard are manipulating him; the FBI gets involved; his relationship with Emma is threatened by his lies; and he realizes he's a pawn in a much larger game between the two tech titans.
Collapse
Adam's best friend is killed in a suspicious "accident" orchestrated by Wyatt's people, and Emma discovers Adam's deception and leaves him - he loses everything that matters while trapped between two ruthless corporations.
Crisis
Adam grieves his friend's death and the loss of Emma, confronting how his ambition and moral compromises have destroyed his life; he hits rock bottom and must decide who he really is.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Adam executes his plan to gather evidence against both CEOs, confronts Wyatt, cooperates with federal authorities, testifies against both corporations, and works to make amends with Emma and his father.