Patriot Games
Former CIA analyst, Jack Ryan, is in England with his family on vacation when he suddenly witnesses an explosion outside Buckingham Palace. It is revealed that some people are trying to abduct a member of the Royal Family, but Jack intervenes, killing one of them and capturing the other and stops the plan in its tracks. Afterward, he learns that they're Irish revolutionaries, and the two men are brothers. During his court hearing, the one that's still alive vows to get back at Jack but is sentenced, and that seems to be the end of it. However, while the man is being transported, he is broken out. Jack learns of this but doesn't think there's anything to worry about, but when he is at the Naval Academy, someone tries to kill him. He learns that they are also going after his family, and so he rushes to find them: safe but having also been the victims of a failed assassination. That's when Jack decides to rejoin the CIA, and they try to find the man before he makes another attempt.
Despite a respectable budget of $45.0M, Patriot Games became a commercial success, earning $178.1M worldwide—a 296% return.
1 win & 3 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%)
Patriot Games (1992) reveals meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Phillip Noyce's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 57 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 Jack Ryan is on vacation in London with his family, enjoying civilian life as a history professor. He's left the CIA behind for a peaceful academic career.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Jack witnesses a terrorist attack on Lord Holmes outside Buckingham Palace. In a split-second decision, he intervenes, killing one terrorist and thwarting the kidnapping, but the terrorist's brother Sean Miller escapes.. 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 indicates the protagonist's commitment to Sean Miller escapes during prison transfer when his IRA splinter group ambushes the convoy. Jack realizes the threat is real and accepts Admiral Greer's offer to return to the CIA as an analyst., moving from reaction to action.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Miller and his team attack Jack's family on a Maryland highway. Cathy and Sally are seriously injured in a car ambush. The fight has come directly to Jack's family - false defeat as the enemy strikes first., 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, Jack discovers Miller's team is planning to attack Lord Holmes during his visit to Jack's home. Despite elaborate security preparations, Jack realizes his obsession has put his family directly in the kill zone. His attempt to protect everyone has endangered them., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 91 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 78% of the runtime. Jack synthesizes his analytical CIA training with his protective instincts. He realizes he doesn't have to choose - he can use his skills to actively defend his family rather than reactively analyze threats., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Patriot Games'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 Patriot Games against these established plot points, we can identify how Phillip Noyce utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Patriot Games within the action genre.
Phillip Noyce's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Phillip Noyce films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Patriot Games represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Phillip Noyce filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Phillip Noyce analyses, see Clear and Present Danger, Salt and Sliver.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jack Ryan is on vacation in London with his family, enjoying civilian life as a history professor. He's left the CIA behind for a peaceful academic career.
Theme
Cathy Ryan tells Jack to "just enjoy being a tourist" and not get involved in other people's problems - the story's central question about duty versus family safety.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Jack's family life, his background as a former CIA analyst, his relationship with wife Cathy and daughter Sally, and their London vacation setting.
Disruption
Jack witnesses a terrorist attack on Lord Holmes outside Buckingham Palace. In a split-second decision, he intervenes, killing one terrorist and thwarting the kidnapping, but the terrorist's brother Sean Miller escapes.
Resistance
Jack recovers in hospital, testifies at Sean Miller's trial, and debates returning to normal life. He receives warnings about potential retaliation but wants to protect his family by staying uninvolved.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Sean Miller escapes during prison transfer when his IRA splinter group ambushes the convoy. Jack realizes the threat is real and accepts Admiral Greer's offer to return to the CIA as an analyst.
Mirror World
Jack reconnects with mentor Admiral James Greer at CIA headquarters. Greer represents the thematic balance - a man who served his country while maintaining his values and humanity.
Premise
Jack works at CIA tracking Miller and the terrorist group while trying to maintain family normalcy. He analyzes intelligence, coordinates with British intelligence, and uncovers the splinter group's operations.
Midpoint
Miller and his team attack Jack's family on a Maryland highway. Cathy and Sally are seriously injured in a car ambush. The fight has come directly to Jack's family - false defeat as the enemy strikes first.
Opposition
Jack becomes obsessed with revenge while his family recovers. He pushes CIA resources to their limits, clashes with superiors about protocols, and Miller continues planning another attack. Jack's personal vendetta threatens his judgment.
Collapse
Jack discovers Miller's team is planning to attack Lord Holmes during his visit to Jack's home. Despite elaborate security preparations, Jack realizes his obsession has put his family directly in the kill zone. His attempt to protect everyone has endangered them.
Crisis
Jack grapples with the realization that his dual role as protector and CIA analyst may be incompatible. He must choose between procedure and instinct, duty and family.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jack synthesizes his analytical CIA training with his protective instincts. He realizes he doesn't have to choose - he can use his skills to actively defend his family rather than reactively analyze threats.
Synthesis
Miller's assault on Jack's home unfolds. Jack defends his family, killing attackers methodically. The final confrontation occurs on a boat chase where Jack pursues Miller, culminating in Miller's death when the boat explodes.
Transformation
Jack reunites with his family in safety. Unlike the opening vacation scene where he was passively avoiding danger, he's now a man who has integrated his duty with family protection - he can be both analyst and warrior when necessary.