Salt
As a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt swore an oath to duty, honor and country. Her loyalty will be tested when a Russian defector accuses her of being a Russian sleeper spy. She goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture, protect her husband, and stay one step ahead of her colleagues at the CIA. Her efforts to prove her innocence only serve to cast doubt on her motives, as the hunt to uncover the truth behind her identity continues and the question remains: "Who is Salt?"
Despite a significant budget of $110.0M, Salt became a box office success, earning $293.3M worldwide—a 167% 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%)
Salt (2010) exhibits carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Phillip Noyce's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 40 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Evelyn Salt works as a respected CIA officer at headquarters, living a stable professional life with her husband Mike, a German arachnologist. She appears calm, capable, and in control.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Orlov publicly accuses Salt of being a Russian sleeper agent named "KA-12" trained since childhood to assassinate the Russian President during his US visit. Salt's entire identity is suddenly in question.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. 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 demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Salt makes the active choice to escape from CIA custody, knowing this act makes her appear guilty. She goes on the run, transforming from trusted agent to fugitive in an instant., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Salt apparently assassinates the Russian President at the funeral, seemingly confirming she is the sleeper agent. False defeat: she appears to be the villain, but we learn she used a fake bullet to protect her cover while keeping him alive., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 75 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Salt discovers that her husband Mike has been murdered by the Russian handlers. The one pure relationship in her life—her only anchor to her true self—is dead. She has lost everything that defined her identity., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 80 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Salt infiltrates the secure bunker, stops Winter from launching nuclear strikes, and kills him. She proves her loyalty by saving the President and exposing the conspiracy, though she remains a fugitive with knowledge of other sleepers., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Salt's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Salt against these established plot points, we can identify how Phillip Noyce utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Salt within the action genre.
Phillip Noyce's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Phillip Noyce films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Salt represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Phillip Noyce filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Phillip Noyce analyses, see Clear and Present Danger, Sliver and The Bone Collector.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Evelyn Salt works as a respected CIA officer at headquarters, living a stable professional life with her husband Mike, a German arachnologist. She appears calm, capable, and in control.
Theme
Defector Orlov asks, "Who can you trust?" before accusing Salt of being a Russian spy. The central question: in a world of deception, how do you know who anyone really is, including yourself?
Worldbuilding
Establishing Salt's world at CIA headquarters, her relationship with colleague Ted Winter, her marriage to Mike, and the intelligence agency protocols. A defector named Orlov arrives seeking asylum.
Disruption
Orlov publicly accuses Salt of being a Russian sleeper agent named "KA-12" trained since childhood to assassinate the Russian President during his US visit. Salt's entire identity is suddenly in question.
Resistance
Salt protests her innocence but realizes she'll be detained. Worried about her husband Mike's safety if she's truly been compromised, she debates whether to submit to investigation or run to protect him.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Salt makes the active choice to escape from CIA custody, knowing this act makes her appear guilty. She goes on the run, transforming from trusted agent to fugitive in an instant.
Mirror World
Salt reaches her apartment to find evidence that Mike has been kidnapped. Her relationship with Mike—the one pure, authentic thing in her life—becomes the emotional anchor that defines her true identity beyond any allegiance.
Premise
Salt evades capture through improvised disguises and tradecraft while pursuing the Russian President's motorcade. The spy-thriller premise delivers action set pieces as we question whether Salt is actually guilty or being framed.
Midpoint
Salt apparently assassinates the Russian President at the funeral, seemingly confirming she is the sleeper agent. False defeat: she appears to be the villain, but we learn she used a fake bullet to protect her cover while keeping him alive.
Opposition
Salt infiltrates the Russian sleeper network and discovers the real conspiracy: a plan to kill the US President. Ted Winter is revealed as the true mole. Salt's efforts to stop the plot are complicated by everyone hunting her.
Collapse
Salt discovers that her husband Mike has been murdered by the Russian handlers. The one pure relationship in her life—her only anchor to her true self—is dead. She has lost everything that defined her identity.
Crisis
Salt processes her grief and rage over Mike's death. In her darkest moment, she must decide who she truly is: the Russian agent she was programmed to be, or the person she chose to become through love.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Salt infiltrates the secure bunker, stops Winter from launching nuclear strikes, and kills him. She proves her loyalty by saving the President and exposing the conspiracy, though she remains a fugitive with knowledge of other sleepers.