Rogue
When a group of tourists stumble into the remote Australian river territory of an enormous crocodile, the deadly creature traps them on a tiny mud island with the tide quickly rising and darkness descending. As the hungry predator closes in, they must fight for survival against all odds.
The film box office disappointment against its moderate budget of $20.0M, earning $4.6M globally (-77% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unconventional structure within the action genre.
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%)
Rogue (2007) reveals carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Greg McLean's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 39 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 Kate Ryan leads a routine river cruise through Kakadu's tranquil waterways, showcasing Australia's natural beauty to tourists. Pete McKell, a travel writer visiting from America, joins the tour with an air of detached professionalism.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Kate spots a distress flare in a restricted area upriver. Despite the late hour and danger, she makes the decision to investigate, taking the boat off its normal route into uncharted territory where crocodiles are known to nest.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to The massive crocodile attacks the boat, ramming it and causing catastrophic damage. The vessel begins sinking rapidly. The group is forced to abandon ship and swim to a small muddy island in the middle of crocodile-infested waters. Their tourist adventure has become a fight for survival., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The group realizes the island will be completely submerged by high tide within hours. Their temporary refuge is not a solution but a death sentence. A failed rope-crossing attempt results in a tourist being dragged underwater and killed by the crocodile, proving escape may be impossible., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Kate is pulled into the water by the crocodile and dragged toward its underwater lair. Pete watches helplessly as she disappears beneath the surface, apparently killed. The guide who knew the land best has been claimed by it, leaving the survivors without hope or direction., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 79 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Pete navigates the crocodile's underwater cave system and discovers Kate is still alive but trapped. He confronts the massive crocodile in brutal close-quarters combat, using both his resourcefulness and the knowledge Kate taught him about the creature. The final battle combines human courage with respect for nature's power., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Rogue's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Rogue against these established plot points, we can identify how Greg McLean utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Rogue within the action genre.
Greg McLean's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Greg McLean films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Rogue takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Greg McLean filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Greg McLean analyses, see Wolf Creek 2, The Darkness and The Belko Experiment.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kate Ryan leads a routine river cruise through Kakadu's tranquil waterways, showcasing Australia's natural beauty to tourists. Pete McKell, a travel writer visiting from America, joins the tour with an air of detached professionalism.
Theme
A tourist mentions that the crocodiles are the apex predators here and humans are just visitors in their territory. The theme of respecting nature's power and humanity's vulnerability in the wild is established.
Worldbuilding
The tour progresses through the beautiful but dangerous Australian outback. We meet the diverse group of tourists, learn about Kate's expertise and connection to the land, and establish Pete's outsider perspective. The natural beauty masks the lurking danger beneath the water.
Disruption
Kate spots a distress flare in a restricted area upriver. Despite the late hour and danger, she makes the decision to investigate, taking the boat off its normal route into uncharted territory where crocodiles are known to nest.
Resistance
The group debates whether to investigate the flare or head back. Some tourists are nervous, others excited. Kate reassures them with her knowledge. As they venture deeper into dangerous waters, tension builds and the group dynamic shifts from leisure to unease.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The massive crocodile attacks the boat, ramming it and causing catastrophic damage. The vessel begins sinking rapidly. The group is forced to abandon ship and swim to a small muddy island in the middle of crocodile-infested waters. Their tourist adventure has become a fight for survival.
Mirror World
On the island, Pete and Kate share a moment where her deep knowledge of the land and its dangers contrasts with his journalistic detachment. Their relationship begins to form the emotional core of the survival story, representing the human connection needed to survive nature's indifference.
Premise
Trapped on the shrinking island as the tide rises, the group must work together to survive. They attempt to signal for help, ration supplies, and deal with injuries. The crocodile circles constantly. Kate uses her expertise while Pete steps up as a leader. Tensions rise as water levels increase and hope diminishes.
Midpoint
The group realizes the island will be completely submerged by high tide within hours. Their temporary refuge is not a solution but a death sentence. A failed rope-crossing attempt results in a tourist being dragged underwater and killed by the crocodile, proving escape may be impossible.
Opposition
The crocodile becomes increasingly aggressive as the island shrinks. Multiple attempts to escape fail. Group members panic and turn on each other. More people are killed. Kate's confidence wavers as her knowledge proves insufficient. Pete must choose between self-preservation and helping others.
Collapse
Kate is pulled into the water by the crocodile and dragged toward its underwater lair. Pete watches helplessly as she disappears beneath the surface, apparently killed. The guide who knew the land best has been claimed by it, leaving the survivors without hope or direction.
Crisis
The remaining survivors are paralyzed by despair and terror. The island is nearly gone. Pete processes the loss of Kate and confronts his own mortality. He must decide whether to accept death or take desperate action against impossible odds.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Pete navigates the crocodile's underwater cave system and discovers Kate is still alive but trapped. He confronts the massive crocodile in brutal close-quarters combat, using both his resourcefulness and the knowledge Kate taught him about the creature. The final battle combines human courage with respect for nature's power.