Push
After his father, an assassin, is brutally murdered, Nick Gant vows revenge on Division, the covert government agency that dabbles in psychic warfare and experimental drugs. Hiding in Hong Kong's underworld, Nick assembles a band of rogue psychics dedicated to destroying Division. Together with Cassie, a teenage clairvoyant, Nick goes in search of a missing girl and a stolen suitcase that could be the key to accomplishing their mutual goal.
Working with a moderate budget of $38.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $49.7M in global revenue (+31% profit margin).
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%)
Push (2009) demonstrates deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Paul McGuigan's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 51 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Nick Gant lives as a drifter in Hong Kong, hiding his telekinetic powers, scraping by with cheap parlor tricks and gambling, haunted by his father's murder by Division agents.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Cassie Holmes, a 13-year-old Watcher (precognitive), arrives at Nick's apartment with a desperate plan: they must find a girl and a case to prevent Division from winning and to save their own lives.. 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.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Kira is recaptured by Division after Carver uses his Pusher abilities to implant false memories, making her believe Nick betrayed her. The case is still missing, and the team fractures., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 83 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Cassie appears to die from a gunshot wound during the confrontation with Pop Girl's Bleeders. Nick cradles her body, devastated. The plan seems to have failed completely, and hope is extinguished., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 88 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. The true plan unfolds: Cassie faked her death, shadows hid their actions from Watchers, and Nick delivers a syringe with a Pushed command to Kira that overrides Carver's control. The team outmaneuvers Division through trust and coordinated deception., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Push'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 Push against these established plot points, we can identify how Paul McGuigan utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Push within the science fiction genre.
Paul McGuigan's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Paul McGuigan films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Push takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Paul McGuigan filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional science fiction films include Lake Placid, The Postman and Oblivion. For more Paul McGuigan analyses, see Lucky Number Slevin, Wicker Park.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Nick Gant lives as a drifter in Hong Kong, hiding his telekinetic powers, scraping by with cheap parlor tricks and gambling, haunted by his father's murder by Division agents.
Theme
Nick's father tells young Nick in flashback: "You have to trust her, no matter what," establishing the theme of trust and predetermined fate versus choice.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the world of psychics (Movers, Pushers, Watchers, Sniffs, Bleeders, Shadows) being hunted by Division, a covert government agency. Nick's life of hiding and survival in Hong Kong's underground is established.
Disruption
Cassie Holmes, a 13-year-old Watcher (precognitive), arrives at Nick's apartment with a desperate plan: they must find a girl and a case to prevent Division from winning and to save their own lives.
Resistance
Nick resists Cassie's visions and plan, skeptical of fate and wanting no part of fighting Division. Cassie reveals details about Kira, the escaped girl who survived Division's experiments, and the suitcase containing a powerful drug.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The team navigates Hong Kong's psychic underground, recruiting allies (Hook Waters the Shifter), evading Division agents led by pusher Henry Carver, dealing with Pop Girl's deadly Bleeders, and racing multiple factions for the suitcase.
Midpoint
Kira is recaptured by Division after Carver uses his Pusher abilities to implant false memories, making her believe Nick betrayed her. The case is still missing, and the team fractures.
Opposition
Division closes in from all sides. Carver psychically tortures the team for information. Pop Girl's Triad intensifies their hunt. Cassie's mother is used as leverage. The group struggles with failing trust and fractured visions of the future.
Collapse
Cassie appears to die from a gunshot wound during the confrontation with Pop Girl's Bleeders. Nick cradles her body, devastated. The plan seems to have failed completely, and hope is extinguished.
Crisis
In despair, Nick finds envelopes Cassie left with cryptic instructions written before the events unfolded. He doesn't understand the plan but must choose to trust her vision despite apparent failure.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The true plan unfolds: Cassie faked her death, shadows hid their actions from Watchers, and Nick delivers a syringe with a Pushed command to Kira that overrides Carver's control. The team outmaneuvers Division through trust and coordinated deception.