Renegades
Buster McHenry works as an undercover agent for the local police. Currently he investigates on police corruption and is in big trouble. His task makes him break the law, he participates in a robbery. Things really screw up as not only two men are shot, but also an ancient indian spear is stolen and Buster is wounded. Hank Storm, a young indian, is now after the spear and Buster is after his criminal 'comrades'. Both of them are outsiders in their way, but now they have the same target.
The film underperformed commercially against its moderate budget of $16.0M, earning $9.0M globally (-44% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling within the action genre.
1 win & 1 nomination
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%)
Renegades (1989) demonstrates precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Jack Sholder's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 45 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 Buster McHenry works undercover in Philadelphia's criminal underworld while Hank Storm lives on the Lakota reservation protecting his tribe's sacred lance.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Criminals steal the sacred Lakota lance during a museum robbery that goes wrong, and a cop is killed. Hank witnesses the theft and pursues the thieves to Philadelphia.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Buster and Hank decide to work together actively, combining their skills and knowledge to track down the criminals and recover the sacred lance., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat They locate the criminals but the confrontation goes badly. The sacred lance is still missing and the partnership faces its first major failure, raising the stakes., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, A devastating setback occurs: either Buster's cover is blown, someone close to them dies, or they lose the trail completely. The mission appears impossible., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. A breakthrough revelation or renewed commitment to each other gives them the key to finding the criminals. They synthesize their different strengths for a final plan., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Renegades's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Renegades against these established plot points, we can identify how Jack Sholder utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Renegades within the action genre.
Jack Sholder's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Jack Sholder films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Renegades represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jack Sholder filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Jack Sholder analyses, see The Hidden, A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy's Revenge.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Buster McHenry works undercover in Philadelphia's criminal underworld while Hank Storm lives on the Lakota reservation protecting his tribe's sacred lance.
Theme
A character speaks about honor and justice transcending cultural boundaries, establishing the theme of finding common ground across different worlds.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to both protagonists' worlds: Buster's dangerous undercover work in Philadelphia and Hank's life on the reservation guarding sacred tribal artifacts.
Disruption
Criminals steal the sacred Lakota lance during a museum robbery that goes wrong, and a cop is killed. Hank witnesses the theft and pursues the thieves to Philadelphia.
Resistance
Hank arrives in Philadelphia, a fish out of water. Buster is assigned to help but they clash over methods and worldviews. Both hesitate to trust each other.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Buster and Hank decide to work together actively, combining their skills and knowledge to track down the criminals and recover the sacred lance.
Mirror World
The partnership between Buster and Hank deepens as they begin to respect each other's different approaches, representing the thematic union of two cultures.
Premise
Buddy-cop action unfolds as the mismatched pair pursue leads through Philadelphia's underworld, their contrasting styles creating both conflict and synergy.
Midpoint
They locate the criminals but the confrontation goes badly. The sacred lance is still missing and the partnership faces its first major failure, raising the stakes.
Opposition
The criminals fight back harder, internal affairs or corrupt cops create obstacles, and the cultural tensions between Buster and Hank resurface under pressure.
Collapse
A devastating setback occurs: either Buster's cover is blown, someone close to them dies, or they lose the trail completely. The mission appears impossible.
Crisis
Buster and Hank face their darkest moment, questioning whether their partnership can succeed and whether they can bridge their cultural divide to achieve justice.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
A breakthrough revelation or renewed commitment to each other gives them the key to finding the criminals. They synthesize their different strengths for a final plan.
Synthesis
The final confrontation: Buster and Hank execute their plan, combining street smarts with warrior spirit to defeat the criminals and recover the sacred lance.
Transformation
The lance is returned. Buster and Hank, now bonded as brothers, part ways having learned to honor each other's cultures and found justice together.