Ride On
Lao Luo, a once popular former stuntman lives only for his horse. This one is unfortunately involved in a litigation. Unable to resign himself to the separation, Lao Luo has no choice but to ask his daughter Xiaobao for help, with whom he has not been in contact for many years .
The film earned $36.2M at the global box office.
3 wins & 5 nominations
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%)
Ride On (2023) exemplifies deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Larry Yang's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 6 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Luo, an aging stuntman, performs with his beloved horse Red Hare in a struggling traditional stunt troupe, barely making ends meet while evading debt collectors.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Creditors threaten to seize Red Hare to settle Luo's debts. The horse that represents everything to Luo—his career, his identity, his last connection to his glory days—is about to be taken away.. 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 32 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Luo agrees to work with Bao and participate in creating social media content, stepping into the modern world he's long resisted. He chooses to adapt rather than lose everything., moving from reaction to action.
At 64 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False victory: Luo is offered a major film role with Red Hare, seemingly solving all his problems. He's back on top, debts can be paid, and he's reconciling with Bao. But the stakes are raised—Red Hare is aging and the dangerous stunts required may be too much., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 95 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Red Hare is seriously injured during a stunt that Luo insisted on performing. The horse—Luo's partner, his last vestige of glory, his truest companion—may die. Luo faces the devastating consequence of his inability to let go and adapt., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 101 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Luo has a breakthrough: he realizes that true legacy isn't about clinging to past glory, but about love, connection, and knowing when to prioritize what truly matters. He chooses to retire from stunts and focus on Red Hare's recovery and his relationship with Bao., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Ride On's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Ride On against these established plot points, we can identify how Larry Yang utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Ride On 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
Luo, an aging stuntman, performs with his beloved horse Red Hare in a struggling traditional stunt troupe, barely making ends meet while evading debt collectors.
Theme
A fellow performer tells Luo: "Sometimes the old ways aren't enough anymore. You have to know when to let go." Foreshadowing the central theme of legacy, adaptation, and knowing what to hold onto versus what to release.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Luo's world: his deep bond with Red Hare, mounting debts, strained relationship with his estranged daughter Bao, the dying art of traditional stunt work, and his stubborn pride preventing him from accepting modern compromises.
Disruption
Creditors threaten to seize Red Hare to settle Luo's debts. The horse that represents everything to Luo—his career, his identity, his last connection to his glory days—is about to be taken away.
Resistance
Luo resists accepting help, debates selling Red Hare versus finding another way. His estranged daughter Bao, now a lawyer, reluctantly re-enters his life and suggests making a viral video to raise money. Luo struggles between pride and necessity.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Luo agrees to work with Bao and participate in creating social media content, stepping into the modern world he's long resisted. He chooses to adapt rather than lose everything.
Mirror World
Luo begins reconnecting with his daughter Bao through their collaboration. She represents the new generation and modern values, mirroring the theme of bridging tradition and change. Their relationship becomes the emotional core that will teach Luo what truly matters.
Premise
The "fun and games" of an old stuntman going viral: Luo and Red Hare create internet content, gain unexpected fame, reconnect with the film industry, and Luo experiences a second chance at relevance while rebuilding his relationship with Bao.
Midpoint
False victory: Luo is offered a major film role with Red Hare, seemingly solving all his problems. He's back on top, debts can be paid, and he's reconciling with Bao. But the stakes are raised—Red Hare is aging and the dangerous stunts required may be too much.
Opposition
Pressure mounts as Red Hare shows signs of aging and injury. Luo pushes too hard, driven by ego and financial need. Bao urges him to stop, but Luo's old stubbornness resurfaces. Conflicts escalate between artistic integrity, safety, and commercial demands.
Collapse
Red Hare is seriously injured during a stunt that Luo insisted on performing. The horse—Luo's partner, his last vestige of glory, his truest companion—may die. Luo faces the devastating consequence of his inability to let go and adapt.
Crisis
Luo keeps vigil over Red Hare, confronting his selfishness and misplaced priorities. He reflects on what he's lost through stubbornness: his relationship with his daughter, his health, and now possibly his beloved horse. Dark night of reckoning with his choices.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Luo has a breakthrough: he realizes that true legacy isn't about clinging to past glory, but about love, connection, and knowing when to prioritize what truly matters. He chooses to retire from stunts and focus on Red Hare's recovery and his relationship with Bao.
Synthesis
Luo applies his newfound wisdom: he nurtures Red Hare back to health without demands, genuinely reconciles with Bao, finds a new role as a stunt coordinator mentoring young performers, and makes peace with his evolution from star to elder. He synthesizes tradition with adaptation.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening: Luo with Red Hare, but transformed. No longer performing for glory or money, but peacefully together in retirement. Bao visits regularly. Luo has let go of ego and found peace, showing the man he needed to become.