RED
When his peaceful life is threatened by a high-tech assassin, former black-ops agent Frank Moses reassembles his old team in a last-ditch effort to survive and uncover the assailants.
Despite a respectable budget of $58.0M, RED became a box office success, earning $199.0M worldwide—a 243% return.
4 wins & 19 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Frank Moses
Sarah Ross
Joe Matheson
Marvin Boggs
Victoria
William Cooper
Alexander Dunning
Ivan Simanov
Main Cast & Characters
Frank Moses
Played by Bruce Willis
A retired black-ops CIA agent forced back into action when his past catches up to him. Highly skilled, intelligent, and struggling with civilian life.
Sarah Ross
Played by Mary-Louise Parker
A pension services administrator who becomes romantically involved with Frank and gets swept into his dangerous world of espionage.
Joe Matheson
Played by Morgan Freeman
Frank's mentor and fellow retired agent, dying of cancer but still sharp and deadly. Provides wisdom and critical support to the team.
Marvin Boggs
Played by John Malkovich
A paranoid ex-CIA operative subjected to LSD testing. Unpredictable but brilliant, with surprising combat skills and conspiracy theories.
Victoria
Played by Helen Mirren
A refined British assassin and former MI6 agent. Elegant, deadly, and loyal to her former colleagues despite her retirement.
William Cooper
Played by Karl Urban
A young, ambitious CIA agent assigned to hunt down Frank. Dedicated to his job and family, initially follows orders without question.
Alexander Dunning
Played by Julian McMahon
The corrupt Vice President orchestrating the conspiracy. Ruthless and willing to eliminate anyone who threatens his secrets.
Ivan Simanov
Played by Brian Cox
A retired Russian agent and old adversary of Frank. Initially hostile but ultimately helps the team when convinced it's the right thing to do.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Frank Moses alone in his sterile suburban home, tearing up his pension check to have an excuse to call Sarah at the pension office. His isolated, boring retirement life is empty despite the facade of normalcy.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Hit squad attacks Frank's home in the middle of the night. He effortlessly kills them all, but his cover is blown. Someone from his past wants him dead, and his quiet retirement is shattered forever.. 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Frank decides to actively hunt down who's targeting him rather than hide. He commits to bringing Sarah into his real world and reuniting the old team. "We're getting the band back together" - active choice to fight., moving from reaction to action.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False victory: Team infiltrates CIA records and discovers the Guatemala list—the secret connecting them all. They think they have answers. Frank and Sarah share a romantic moment. Stakes raise: now they know Vice President is involved., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 82 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Joe, Frank's mentor and oldest friend, is shot and dies in Frank's arms. "You're gonna be great, kid." The whiff of death—literally. Frank loses his anchor to his old life and the one person who knew him best., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 88 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Frank synthesizes old skills with new purpose: not just survival, but justice for Joe and truth. Sarah fully accepts who Frank really is. Cooper switches sides. Team reunites with new clarity. "Let's end this."., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
RED'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 RED 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 RED within the action 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. RED exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Robert Schwentke filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Robert Schwentke analyses, see Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, Allegiant and Insurgent.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Frank Moses alone in his sterile suburban home, tearing up his pension check to have an excuse to call Sarah at the pension office. His isolated, boring retirement life is empty despite the facade of normalcy.
Theme
Sarah tells Frank about her romantic ideas from the novels she reads, saying "I want to meet somebody who's lived a life." She doesn't know he's lived more life than she can imagine. Theme: authenticity vs. pretense.
Worldbuilding
Establish Frank's lonely retirement routine: ripping checks, calling Sarah, working out obsessively, reading romance novels. Intercut with a CIA hit squad preparing. Frank's fake identity vs. his true deadly skills shown in subtle ways.
Disruption
Hit squad attacks Frank's home in the middle of the night. He effortlessly kills them all, but his cover is blown. Someone from his past wants him dead, and his quiet retirement is shattered forever.
Resistance
Frank debates his options: run or engage? He "kidnaps" Sarah (who was on the CIA list) for her protection, reassembles his old RED team—visits Joe in retirement home, finds Marvin (paranoid but alive). Frank investigates who wants him dead.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Frank decides to actively hunt down who's targeting him rather than hide. He commits to bringing Sarah into his real world and reuniting the old team. "We're getting the band back together" - active choice to fight.
Mirror World
Sarah begins to see Frank's real life isn't boring—it's exciting and dangerous. She represents the possibility of love and connection if Frank can embrace his true identity. The B-story romance carries the theme.
Premise
The "fun and games" of old spies back in action: recruit Victoria (Helen Mirren), break into CIA headquarters, spectacular action sequences, witty banter. Frank tries to woo Sarah while dodging bullets. The team dynamic and humor deliver the premise.
Midpoint
False victory: Team infiltrates CIA records and discovers the Guatemala list—the secret connecting them all. They think they have answers. Frank and Sarah share a romantic moment. Stakes raise: now they know Vice President is involved.
Opposition
CIA agent William Cooper intensifies pursuit. Vice President sends more resources. Team member loyalty tested. Victoria is captured. Sarah is endangered. Frank's double life becomes impossible to maintain. Every plan gets harder.
Collapse
Joe, Frank's mentor and oldest friend, is shot and dies in Frank's arms. "You're gonna be great, kid." The whiff of death—literally. Frank loses his anchor to his old life and the one person who knew him best.
Crisis
Frank processes Joe's death. Dark night of the soul—Sarah sees his pain and chooses to stay with him despite the danger. Frank must decide: retreat to safety or finish what Joe died for. Emotional low point before resolution.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Frank synthesizes old skills with new purpose: not just survival, but justice for Joe and truth. Sarah fully accepts who Frank really is. Cooper switches sides. Team reunites with new clarity. "Let's end this."
Synthesis
Finale assault: infiltrate Vice President's gala, confront the villain, expose the conspiracy. Frank embraces being RED (Retired Extremely Dangerous) instead of hiding it. Team works in perfect sync. Cooper helps instead of fights. Truth wins.
Transformation
Mirror of opening: Frank with Sarah, but no longer pretending to be normal. She knows who he is and loves him for it. They embrace the adventure together. He's no longer alone in a sterile house—he's alive and authentic.