Risen
Clavius, a powerful Roman military tribune, and his aide, Lucius, are tasked with solving the mystery of what happened to Jesus in the weeks following the crucifixion, in order to disprove the rumors of a risen Messiah and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem.
Despite a mid-range budget of $20.0M, Risen became a box office success, earning $46.1M worldwide—a 131% return.
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%)
Risen (2016) exhibits precise story structure, characteristic of Kevin Reynolds's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.1, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Clavius, a Roman Tribune, brutally suppresses a Zealot uprising in Judea. He is a loyal, efficient soldier of Rome, committed to maintaining order through violence and awaiting his next promotion.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when The tomb is found empty on the third day. The seal is broken, the stone moved, and Yeshua's body is missing. This impossible event disrupts everything Clavius knows and threatens Roman authority.. 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 illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Clavius discovers the disciples hiding in a room—and sees Yeshua alive among them. This moment forces him across the threshold: he can no longer explain this away. He must confront the impossible., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Yeshua ascends into heaven before Clavius's eyes, leaving him alone on the mountain. The physical presence that anchored his new faith is gone. Clavius is left in the wilderness, stripped of both his Roman identity and his guide., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Clavius escapes the Roman search parties and makes his way to freedom. He encounters Pilate one final time, refusing to recant what he saw. He leaves his armor, his rank, and his ambition behind, walking away from empire toward an unknown future guided by faith., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Risen's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Risen against these established plot points, we can identify how Kevin Reynolds utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Risen within the action genre.
Kevin Reynolds's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Kevin Reynolds films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Risen takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Kevin Reynolds filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Kevin Reynolds analyses, see Waterworld, The Count of Monte Cristo and One Eight Seven.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Clavius, a Roman Tribune, brutally suppresses a Zealot uprising in Judea. He is a loyal, efficient soldier of Rome, committed to maintaining order through violence and awaiting his next promotion.
Theme
Pilate tells Clavius that a day without conquest is a day wasted, but also mentions the coming execution of a Nazarene who preaches "a day without death." This frames the film's central question: Can there be truth beyond Rome's power?
Worldbuilding
Clavius oversees the crucifixion of Yeshua (Jesus) and two thieves. He witnesses the darkness, earthquake, and Yeshua's death. Pilate assigns him to ensure the body stays sealed in the tomb to prevent resurrection claims. The world of Roman occupation, Jewish tension, and messianic expectation is established.
Disruption
The tomb is found empty on the third day. The seal is broken, the stone moved, and Yeshua's body is missing. This impossible event disrupts everything Clavius knows and threatens Roman authority.
Resistance
Clavius investigates the disappearance with growing desperation. He interrogates disciples, searches hideouts, and questions witnesses. He resists the possibility of resurrection, seeking rational explanations: theft, conspiracy, or deception.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Clavius discovers the disciples hiding in a room—and sees Yeshua alive among them. This moment forces him across the threshold: he can no longer explain this away. He must confront the impossible.
Premise
Clavius covertly follows the disciples as they journey with the risen Yeshua. He witnesses miracles, teachings, and the community's transformation. He is torn between duty to Rome and the undeniable evidence before his eyes. This is the promise of the premise: a skeptic encountering the risen Christ.
Opposition
Roman forces close in, hunting for Yeshua and the disciples. Clavius's fellow soldiers pursue them. Clavius must actively deceive and evade his own people. The pressure mounts: he cannot serve two masters. His old identity as a Roman Tribune crumbles.
Collapse
Yeshua ascends into heaven before Clavius's eyes, leaving him alone on the mountain. The physical presence that anchored his new faith is gone. Clavius is left in the wilderness, stripped of both his Roman identity and his guide.
Crisis
Clavius wanders, processing what he has witnessed. He is hunted by Rome, abandoned by certainty, yet unable to deny the truth of the resurrection. He sits in the darkness of not knowing what comes next.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Clavius escapes the Roman search parties and makes his way to freedom. He encounters Pilate one final time, refusing to recant what he saw. He leaves his armor, his rank, and his ambition behind, walking away from empire toward an unknown future guided by faith.