Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
In a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire's ultimate weapon of destruction.
Despite a massive budget of $200.0M, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story became a solid performer, earning $1056.1M worldwide—a 428% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, demonstrating that audiences embrace innovative storytelling even at blockbuster scale.
Nominated for 2 Oscars. 24 wins & 85 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
Jyn Erso
Cassian Andor
K-2SO
Chirrut Îmwe
Baze Malbus
Bodhi Rook
Director Orson Krennic
Galen Erso
Saw Gerrera
Main Cast & Characters
Jyn Erso
Played by Felicity Jones
A rebellious criminal recruited by the Rebel Alliance to steal the Death Star plans after her father's message reveals a fatal flaw.
Cassian Andor
Played by Diego Luna
A dedicated Rebel intelligence officer willing to make morally difficult choices for the greater good of the Rebellion.
K-2SO
Played by Alan Tudyk
A reprogrammed Imperial security droid with brutal honesty and dry wit who serves as Cassian's companion.
Chirrut Îmwe
Played by Donnie Yen
A blind spiritual warrior devoted to the Force who believes deeply in hope and destiny despite lacking Jedi powers.
Baze Malbus
Played by Jiang Wen
A pragmatic heavy weapons specialist and former Guardian of the Whills who protects his friend Chirrut.
Bodhi Rook
Played by Riz Ahmed
An anxious Imperial cargo pilot who defects to deliver Galen Erso's message, seeking redemption for his past complicity.
Director Orson Krennic
Played by Ben Mendelsohn
An ambitious Imperial officer overseeing the Death Star project, desperate to claim credit and advance his career.
Galen Erso
Played by Mads Mikkelsen
A brilliant scientist forced to design the Death Star who secretly engineers its fatal weakness.
Saw Gerrera
Played by Forest Whitaker
A battle-scarred extremist rebel leader who raised Jyn but struggles with paranoia and radicalism.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Young Jyn watches as Imperial forces arrive at her family's remote farm on Lah'mu. Her father Galen is taken by Director Krennic, her mother is killed, and Jyn hides in fear—establishing her as an orphan of the war.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Rebel forces extract Jyn from an Imperial labor camp. She learns the Rebellion needs her specifically because of her connection to Saw Gerrera and her father Galen—the man building the Death Star. Her past has caught up with her.. 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 33 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Jyn, Cassian, and K-2SO depart for Jedha, committing to the mission. Jyn crosses from prisoner to active participant, though her motivations remain personal rather than ideological. She's chosen to seek her father, beginning Act Two., moving from reaction to action.
At 67 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat On Eadu, Jyn finally reaches her father—only to watch him die in her arms during a Rebel airstrike. Her last connection to family is severed. This false defeat transforms Jyn: she now has nothing left except completing her father's mission. The stakes become existential., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 100 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Rebel Council votes against the Scarif mission. All official support is denied. Jyn stands alone, her father's sacrifice seemingly in vain. The political cowardice of the Alliance mirrors the Empire's authoritarianism—hope itself appears dead., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 106 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The Battle of Scarif unfolds on multiple fronts. Bodhi transmits the signal. Chirrut walks through blaster fire reciting his mantra. Baze takes up the prayer. K-2SO sacrifices himself. Cassian and Jyn climb the data tower. One by one, every team member dies completing their part of the mission., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Rogue One: A Star Wars Story against these established plot points, we can identify how Gareth Edwards utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Rogue One: A Star Wars Story within the action genre.
Gareth Edwards's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Gareth Edwards films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Gareth Edwards filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Gareth Edwards analyses, see The Creator, Monsters and Godzilla.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young Jyn watches as Imperial forces arrive at her family's remote farm on Lah'mu. Her father Galen is taken by Director Krennic, her mother is killed, and Jyn hides in fear—establishing her as an orphan of the war.
Theme
Saw Gerrera tells young Jyn as he finds her hiding: "You must learn to survive." This survivalist mentality defines Jyn's character until she learns that some things are worth more than survival—hope itself.
Worldbuilding
Adult Jyn is introduced as a hardened prisoner with no allegiance. Meanwhile, Cassian Andor operates as a morally compromised Rebel spy. The galaxy is shown under Imperial oppression, the Death Star nears completion, and defector Bodhi Rook carries a message from Galen Erso.
Disruption
Rebel forces extract Jyn from an Imperial labor camp. She learns the Rebellion needs her specifically because of her connection to Saw Gerrera and her father Galen—the man building the Death Star. Her past has caught up with her.
Resistance
Mon Mothma briefs Jyn on the mission: find Saw Gerrera to locate her father. Jyn resists caring about the Rebellion's cause, motivated only by self-interest. Cassian is secretly ordered to assassinate Galen. K-2SO provides blunt comic relief as they debate their approach.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jyn, Cassian, and K-2SO depart for Jedha, committing to the mission. Jyn crosses from prisoner to active participant, though her motivations remain personal rather than ideological. She's chosen to seek her father, beginning Act Two.
Premise
The team navigates Jedha's dangerous streets, survives Saw's paranoid insurgents, and Jyn watches her father's holographic message revealing he built a fatal flaw into the Death Star. The Death Star destroys Jedha City as they barely escape. They pursue Galen to Eadu.
Midpoint
On Eadu, Jyn finally reaches her father—only to watch him die in her arms during a Rebel airstrike. Her last connection to family is severed. This false defeat transforms Jyn: she now has nothing left except completing her father's mission. The stakes become existential.
Opposition
Jyn pleads with the Rebel Council to attack Scarif and steal the Death Star plans, but they refuse—too afraid, too divided. Cassian's earlier assassination orders are revealed, creating conflict. The institutional Rebellion fails them. Director Krennic solidifies his position with the Emperor.
Collapse
The Rebel Council votes against the Scarif mission. All official support is denied. Jyn stands alone, her father's sacrifice seemingly in vain. The political cowardice of the Alliance mirrors the Empire's authoritarianism—hope itself appears dead.
Crisis
In the aftermath of the Council's rejection, Jyn faces the abyss. Everything she's fought for has been stripped away. She must confront whether hope is worth pursuing without institutional backing—whether individual action can matter against overwhelming odds.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The Battle of Scarif unfolds on multiple fronts. Bodhi transmits the signal. Chirrut walks through blaster fire reciting his mantra. Baze takes up the prayer. K-2SO sacrifices himself. Cassian and Jyn climb the data tower. One by one, every team member dies completing their part of the mission.