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 financial setback 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 bold vision 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) showcases carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Robert Schwentke's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-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.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Nick Walker is a Boston PD detective living a seemingly good life with his wife Julia, though he's compromised himself by hiding stolen gold from a recent drug bust with his partner Hayes.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when During a warehouse raid, Hayes shoots and kills Nick to prevent him from confessing about the gold. Nick dies and his soul rises from his body.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Nick accepts his assignment to the R.I.P.D. For 100 years of service and is partnered with Roy Pulsipher, a cantankerous Old West lawman. He enters the supernatural world as an undead cop., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Nick and Roy discover that Hayes and his Deado accomplices are collecting pieces of the "Staff of Jericho," an ancient artifact that can reverse the tunnel to the afterlife and bring all dead souls back to Earth, causing the apocalypse. The stakes become global., 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, Hayes completes the Staff of Jericho and activates it at R.I.P.D. Headquarters. The tunnel begins opening, souls start pouring back to Earth. Nick watches helplessly as Julia is put in danger and the apocalypse begins., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Nick and Roy battle Hayes and the Deados at the portal site. Nick destroys the Staff of Jericho, reversing the portal. Hayes is sucked into judgment. Nick saves Julia and accepts his death, finally letting go of his old life., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
R.I.P.D.'s emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. 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 6 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 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Conan the Barbarian and Batman Forever. For more Robert Schwentke analyses, see Flightplan, Insurgent and Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Nick Walker is a Boston PD detective living a seemingly good life with his wife Julia, though he's compromised himself by hiding stolen gold from a recent drug bust with his partner Hayes.
Theme
Nick tells Hayes he wants to come clean about the gold and turn it in, establishing the theme of redemption and doing the right thing despite past mistakes.
Worldbuilding
Establishes Nick's relationship with wife Julia, his partnership with Hayes, the stolen gold secret weighing on his conscience, and the upcoming police raid that will change everything.
Disruption
During a warehouse raid, Hayes shoots and kills Nick to prevent him from confessing about the gold. Nick dies and his soul rises from his body.
Resistance
Nick is recruited by Mildred Proctor into the Rest In Peace Department (R.I.P.D.), an afterlife police force that hunts "Deados" - souls hiding on Earth. He resists but has no choice: join or face judgment.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Nick accepts his assignment to the R.I.P.D. for 100 years of service and is partnered with Roy Pulsipher, a cantankerous Old West lawman. He enters the supernatural world as an undead cop.
Premise
Nick and Roy hunt Deados in Boston. Nick learns the rules: the living see them as different people (Nick as an old Chinese man, Roy as a blonde woman). Nick investigates his own murder and discovers Hayes is involved in something bigger.
Midpoint
Nick and Roy discover that Hayes and his Deado accomplices are collecting pieces of the "Staff of Jericho," an ancient artifact that can reverse the tunnel to the afterlife and bring all dead souls back to Earth, causing the apocalypse. The stakes become global.
Opposition
Hayes and the Deados close in on completing the Staff of Jericho. Nick struggles to protect Julia from the living world while dealing with his inability to communicate with her. Roy and Nick's partnership is tested as the threat escalates.
Collapse
Hayes completes the Staff of Jericho and activates it at R.I.P.D. headquarters. The tunnel begins opening, souls start pouring back to Earth. Nick watches helplessly as Julia is put in danger and the apocalypse begins.
Crisis
Nick faces his darkest moment, processing that he failed to protect the world and Julia. Roy shares his own regret about his daughter, helping Nick see that redemption comes from action, not regret.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Nick and Roy battle Hayes and the Deados at the portal site. Nick destroys the Staff of Jericho, reversing the portal. Hayes is sucked into judgment. Nick saves Julia and accepts his death, finally letting go of his old life.