R.I.P.D.
A recently slain cop joins a team of undead police officers working for the Rest in Peace Department and tries to find the man who murdered him.
The film commercial failure against its considerable budget of $130.0M, earning $61.6M globally (-53% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unconventional structure within the fantasy 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%)
R.I.P.D. (2013) demonstrates carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Robert Schwentke'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 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Nick Walker
Roy Pulsipher
Bobby Hayes
Mildred Proctor
Julia Walker
Main Cast & Characters
Nick Walker
Played by Ryan Reynolds
A recently deceased Boston cop who joins the Rest In Peace Department to hunt down souls hiding on Earth.
Roy Pulsipher
Played by Jeff Bridges
A grizzled Old West lawman who becomes Nick's reluctant partner in the afterlife police force.
Bobby Hayes
Played by Kevin Bacon
Nick's former partner and best friend who betrayed him, leading to his death.
Mildred Proctor
Played by Mary-Louise Parker
The no-nonsense supervisor of the R.I.P.D. Boston division who assigns Nick to Roy.
Julia Walker
Played by Stephanie Szostak
Nick's widow who is unaware of his afterlife assignment and mourns his death.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Nick Walker is a Boston cop preparing for a raid with his partner Bobby, hiding stolen gold from a previous bust. He has a loving wife and seemingly successful career, but guilt weighs on him.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Bobby shoots and kills Nick during the warehouse raid after Nick tells him he wants to turn in the stolen gold. Nick dies and his soul rises from his body.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Nick accepts his assignment with the R.I.P.D. And returns to Earth with Roy to hunt Dead-os (souls hiding among the living). He crosses into his new existence as an undead cop., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Nick and Roy discover the gold pieces are fragments of the Staff of Jericho, which can reverse the tunnel to the afterlife and unleash the dead upon Earth. Bobby is assembling it. Stakes dramatically raise - it's not just about Nick's murder anymore., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 71 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Bobby completes the Staff of Jericho and activates it, opening a vortex that begins pulling all dead souls back to Earth. Nick and Roy are deactivated by Proctor. The dead flood Boston. All seems 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 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Nick and Roy are reactivated and gain new resolve. Nick realizes that true redemption comes from sacrifice and protecting others, not avoiding judgment. They choose to stop Bobby even if it means their final destruction., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
R.I.P.D.'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 R.I.P.D. against these established plot points, we can identify how Robert Schwentke utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish R.I.P.D. within the fantasy genre.
Robert Schwentke's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Robert Schwentke films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. R.I.P.D. takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Robert Schwentke filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional fantasy films include Thinner, Ella Enchanted and Conan the Barbarian. For more Robert Schwentke analyses, see RED, Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins and Allegiant.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Nick Walker is a Boston cop preparing for a raid with his partner Bobby, hiding stolen gold from a previous bust. He has a loving wife and seemingly successful career, but guilt weighs on him.
Theme
Bobby tells Nick "You can't take back what you've done, you can only move forward," foreshadowing the film's exploration of redemption and dealing with past mistakes.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Nick's ordinary world: his relationship with wife Julia, partnership with Bobby, the guilt over stolen gold, and his decision to come clean. The drug raid sets up his world as a cop.
Disruption
Bobby shoots and kills Nick during the warehouse raid after Nick tells him he wants to turn in the stolen gold. Nick dies and his soul rises from his body.
Resistance
Nick is processed in the afterlife and meets Mildred Proctor, who recruits him to the Rest In Peace Department rather than facing judgment. He resists but learns the rules of this new existence and meets his partner Roy Pulsipher.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Nick accepts his assignment with the R.I.P.D. and returns to Earth with Roy to hunt Dead-os (souls hiding among the living). He crosses into his new existence as an undead cop.
Mirror World
Roy becomes Nick's reluctant mentor, representing what Nick could become: a soul who has spent centuries in service, unable to move on. Roy's cynicism contrasts with Nick's desire to protect Julia and find his killer.
Premise
Nick and Roy hunt Dead-os in Boston, experiencing the "fun and games" of being undead cops with avatars. Nick investigates his own murder, watches Julia, and discovers Bobby is involved with Dead-os and mysterious gold artifacts.
Midpoint
Nick and Roy discover the gold pieces are fragments of the Staff of Jericho, which can reverse the tunnel to the afterlife and unleash the dead upon Earth. Bobby is assembling it. Stakes dramatically raise - it's not just about Nick's murder anymore.
Opposition
Bobby gets closer to completing the Staff. Nick and Roy face increasing opposition from Dead-os. Nick's attempts to protect Julia backfire. Proctor threatens to deactivate them. The conspiracy grows larger and more dangerous.
Collapse
Bobby completes the Staff of Jericho and activates it, opening a vortex that begins pulling all dead souls back to Earth. Nick and Roy are deactivated by Proctor. The dead flood Boston. All seems lost.
Crisis
Nick faces the reality that he failed to stop Bobby, his wife is in danger, and the world is ending because of the gold he helped steal. He processes his guilt and realizes he must face his mistakes to make things right.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Nick and Roy are reactivated and gain new resolve. Nick realizes that true redemption comes from sacrifice and protecting others, not avoiding judgment. They choose to stop Bobby even if it means their final destruction.
Synthesis
Nick and Roy battle through the dead to reach Bobby. Nick confronts his former partner and destroys the Staff, closing the vortex. He saves Julia and completes his redemption by sacrificing his connection to his old life.
Transformation
Nick accepts his existence in the R.I.P.D., watching Julia move on with her life. He has transformed from a corrupt cop running from his past into a true protector who made amends. Roy becomes his genuine partner.