Raw Justice
Mayor Stiles' daughter Donna is killed the night after a lousy date with the shy Mitch. Of course this makes him the main suspect. When Mitch gets free on bail, Styles hires ex-cop Mace to follow him. Mace learns immediately that someone's after Mitch's life - and after his and prostitute Sarah's too, as soon as they're seen together. Unfortunately it's a cop who's after them, murdering witnesses and faking evidence against Mace. So Sarah has to give her best to soothe the pain of being accused while innocent.
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%)
Raw Justice (1994) showcases carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of David A. Prior's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 35 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The mayor of a small Southern town is established as a powerful, corrupt figure with the town under his control. The opening shows the status quo of corruption and abuse of power going unchecked.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when A young woman is brutally murdered, and the mayor's son becomes the prime suspect. The crime disrupts the town and creates a crisis that the corrupt power structure attempts to cover up, pulling the protagonist into the case.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. 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 shows the protagonist's commitment to The protagonist makes the active choice to fully commit to pursuing justice against the mayor's son, despite threats and warnings. He crosses the point of no return, entering into direct conflict with the town's power structure., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat A false victory: the protagonist obtains crucial evidence or a witness comes forward, making it seem like justice will prevail. However, this raises the stakes as the mayor and his allies realize the real threat and escalate their counterattack., 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 (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The lowest point: either a key ally is killed, the case appears completely destroyed, or the protagonist is framed/arrested himself. The "whiff of death" as all hope for legal justice seems lost and the corrupt system appears to have won completely., reveals 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 80% of the runtime. A revelation or new evidence emerges, or the protagonist synthesizes what he's learned to find a new approach. He realizes he must take direct action outside the legal system to achieve true justice, combining his investigative skills with decisive force., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Raw Justice's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Raw Justice against these established plot points, we can identify how David A. Prior utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Raw Justice 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
The mayor of a small Southern town is established as a powerful, corrupt figure with the town under his control. The opening shows the status quo of corruption and abuse of power going unchecked.
Theme
A character observes that "sometimes the law isn't enough for justice" - establishing the central thematic tension between legal justice and moral justice, between playing by the rules and taking matters into one's own hands.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the corrupt small-town world where the mayor holds absolute power. We meet the protagonist, a former cop turned private investigator, living a relatively quiet life. The power structure, relationships, and stakes of this Southern town are established.
Disruption
A young woman is brutally murdered, and the mayor's son becomes the prime suspect. The crime disrupts the town and creates a crisis that the corrupt power structure attempts to cover up, pulling the protagonist into the case.
Resistance
The protagonist is approached to investigate or becomes involved in the murder case. He debates whether to take on the powerful establishment, knowing the danger involved. Evidence begins mounting, but so does resistance from the corrupt mayor and his allies.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The protagonist makes the active choice to fully commit to pursuing justice against the mayor's son, despite threats and warnings. He crosses the point of no return, entering into direct conflict with the town's power structure.
Mirror World
A key relationship develops - likely with someone connected to the victim or someone who represents moral integrity in the corrupt town. This character embodies the thematic ideal of true justice and strengthens the protagonist's resolve.
Premise
The investigation unfolds with the protagonist gathering evidence, confronting witnesses, and navigating the dangerous terrain of taking on the establishment. Action sequences, close calls, and the "fun" of the detective/action thriller premise as he gets closer to the truth.
Midpoint
A false victory: the protagonist obtains crucial evidence or a witness comes forward, making it seem like justice will prevail. However, this raises the stakes as the mayor and his allies realize the real threat and escalate their counterattack.
Opposition
The corrupt forces close in. Witnesses are intimidated or disappear, evidence is suppressed, and the protagonist faces increasing danger. The mayor uses all his power and connections to crush the investigation. Allies are threatened, and the protagonist's own life is in jeopardy.
Collapse
The lowest point: either a key ally is killed, the case appears completely destroyed, or the protagonist is framed/arrested himself. The "whiff of death" as all hope for legal justice seems lost and the corrupt system appears to have won completely.
Crisis
The dark night of the soul where the protagonist contemplates giving up or realizes the system is too corrupt for traditional justice. He processes the losses and grapples with whether to abandon the fight or take more extreme measures.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
A revelation or new evidence emerges, or the protagonist synthesizes what he's learned to find a new approach. He realizes he must take direct action outside the legal system to achieve true justice, combining his investigative skills with decisive force.
Synthesis
The finale confrontation. The protagonist executes his plan to expose or directly confront the mayor and his son. Action-packed sequence where he fights through the corrupt forces, obtains irrefutable proof, or delivers raw justice himself. The showdown resolves the central conflict.
Transformation
The closing image shows justice has been served - whether through legal means or vigilante action. The protagonist has transformed from someone who worked within the system to someone who understands that sometimes raw justice is necessary. The town is freed from corruption.