Partida
Ben Serrano, a brave Manila cop, accidentally crashes into a car during a chase, killing a rich family's child. Seeking revenge, the family wants him imprisoned or killed. Serrano fights back against all odds.
Despite its limited budget of $1.0M, Partida became a massive hit, earning $100.0M worldwide—a remarkable 9900% return. The film's unconventional structure engaged audiences, confirming that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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%)
Partida (1985) exhibits precise narrative design, characteristic of Ben Yalung's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 36 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 Opening establishes the protagonist's current life and relationships in their ordinary world, showing the dynamics before the central conflict emerges.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when An unexpected event or revelation disrupts the protagonist's status quo, forcing them to confront a situation they can no longer ignore.. 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 reveals the protagonist's commitment to The protagonist makes an active choice to commit to a new path, leaving behind their old world and entering into unknown territory., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat A false victory or defeat raises the stakes significantly; what seemed manageable becomes more complex and dangerous, changing the game entirely., 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 protagonist reaches their lowest point with a metaphorical or literal death—hope, innocence, a relationship, or dream dies., shows 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 80% of the runtime. New information, realization, or synthesis emerges, allowing the protagonist to see clearly and combine their growth with original strengths., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Partida'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 Partida against these established plot points, we can identify how Ben Yalung utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Partida within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Opening establishes the protagonist's current life and relationships in their ordinary world, showing the dynamics before the central conflict emerges.
Theme
A supporting character hints at the central thematic question about choices, consequences, and personal transformation through a casual but significant conversation.
Worldbuilding
Setup period introduces the main characters, their relationships, social world, and the tensions that exist beneath the surface of ordinary life.
Disruption
An unexpected event or revelation disrupts the protagonist's status quo, forcing them to confront a situation they can no longer ignore.
Resistance
The protagonist resists or debates how to respond to the disruption, consulting with others and wrestling with the implications of taking action.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The protagonist makes an active choice to commit to a new path, leaving behind their old world and entering into unknown territory.
Mirror World
Introduction or deepening of a key relationship that embodies the thematic counterpoint and will teach the protagonist what they need to learn.
Premise
The protagonist explores their new situation, experiencing both the excitement and challenges of their choice, living out the promise of the premise.
Midpoint
A false victory or defeat raises the stakes significantly; what seemed manageable becomes more complex and dangerous, changing the game entirely.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies as opposition forces close in, the protagonist's flaws catch up with them, and everything becomes increasingly difficult.
Collapse
The protagonist reaches their lowest point with a metaphorical or literal death—hope, innocence, a relationship, or dream dies.
Crisis
The dark night of the soul where the protagonist processes their loss and despair before finding new understanding or resolve.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
New information, realization, or synthesis emerges, allowing the protagonist to see clearly and combine their growth with original strengths.
Synthesis
The finale where the protagonist executes their plan, confronts the central conflict, and resolves the story through their transformation.
Transformation
The closing image mirrors the opening but demonstrates the protagonist's complete transformation, showing who they have become.