Skyscraper
Framed and on the run, a former FBI agent must save his family from a blazing fire in the world's tallest building.
Despite a significant budget of $125.0M, Skyscraper became a commercial success, earning $304.9M worldwide—a 144% 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%)
Skyscraper (2018) showcases strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Rawson Marshall Thurber's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes FBI Hostage Rescue Team leader Will Sawyer prepares for a mission, establishing him as a capable, confident operative in his element before tragedy strikes.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Criminals led by Kores Botha steal the tablet containing The Pearl's security access codes from Will, setting the plan in motion to infiltrate the building. Will is framed for the attack.. At 11% 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 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 23% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Will makes the iconic leap from a construction crane into The Pearl through a window, choosing to enter the burning building despite insurmountable odds. He crosses into the "mirror world" of the burning tower to save his family., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False defeat: Botha's team captures Will's daughter Georgia. The stakes raise dramatically - it's no longer just about escaping the fire, but preventing his child from being used as leverage. The terrorists reveal their true goal: accessing Zhao's secret vault., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 76 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All is lost: The family is separated across the burning tower, Will appears to fall to his death from the exterior of the building, and Botha has both children as hostages. Sarah believes Will is dead. Whiff of death as Will barely survives the fall., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Will discovers the building's exterior maintenance system and uses it to re-enter. He synthesizes his FBI tactical training with his knowledge of The Pearl's security systems. Sarah realizes Zhao's sphere room is their way out. Both see the path forward., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Skyscraper's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Skyscraper against these established plot points, we can identify how Rawson Marshall Thurber utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Skyscraper within the action genre.
Rawson Marshall Thurber's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Rawson Marshall Thurber films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Skyscraper represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Rawson Marshall Thurber filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Rawson Marshall Thurber analyses, see Central Intelligence, We're the Millers and Red Notice.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
FBI Hostage Rescue Team leader Will Sawyer prepares for a mission, establishing him as a capable, confident operative in his element before tragedy strikes.
Theme
Sarah, a Navy surgeon, tells Will during the hostage crisis aftermath: "You're going to be okay. You're a survivor." Theme of survival and overcoming impossible odds through determination and family.
Worldbuilding
Ten years later: Will is now a security consultant with a prosthetic leg, living in Hong Kong with wife Sarah and their two children. He's assessing security for The Pearl, the world's tallest and most advanced skyscraper, owned by Zhao Long Ji. Establishes Will's transformation from FBI agent to family man, his disability, and the extraordinary building that will become the battleground.
Disruption
Criminals led by Kores Botha steal the tablet containing The Pearl's security access codes from Will, setting the plan in motion to infiltrate the building. Will is framed for the attack.
Resistance
The Pearl is set on fire above the 96th floor where Will's family is staying. Will realizes his family is trapped inside while he's outside the building. He debates how to get back in, knowing he's wanted by police and the building is burning. Ben, his former FBI partner, reveals information about the conspiracy.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Will makes the iconic leap from a construction crane into The Pearl through a window, choosing to enter the burning building despite insurmountable odds. He crosses into the "mirror world" of the burning tower to save his family.
Mirror World
Will reunites with Sarah inside the building via phone. Their relationship embodies the theme - Sarah is his equal partner, a capable warrior in her own right who mirrors his determination and resourcefulness in protecting their children.
Premise
The "promise of the premise" - Will navigating the futuristic skyscraper's death-defying heights and high-tech systems while Sarah protects the kids from armed terrorists. Spectacular action sequences including the exterior turbine climb and Sarah fighting terrorists in the residential suite.
Midpoint
False defeat: Botha's team captures Will's daughter Georgia. The stakes raise dramatically - it's no longer just about escaping the fire, but preventing his child from being used as leverage. The terrorists reveal their true goal: accessing Zhao's secret vault.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies as Will must help the terrorists access the vault to save Georgia while Sarah and their son Henry hide from mercenaries. The police believe Will is the terrorist. Zhao's past sins are revealed - criminals want evidence he's hidden. Everything tightens.
Collapse
All is lost: The family is separated across the burning tower, Will appears to fall to his death from the exterior of the building, and Botha has both children as hostages. Sarah believes Will is dead. Whiff of death as Will barely survives the fall.
Crisis
Will's dark night - hanging by his prosthetic leg from the side of the building, he must dig deep to find the will to survive. Sarah faces her darkest moment believing Will is dead while protecting the children alone against armed killers.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Will discovers the building's exterior maintenance system and uses it to re-enter. He synthesizes his FBI tactical training with his knowledge of The Pearl's security systems. Sarah realizes Zhao's sphere room is their way out. Both see the path forward.
Synthesis
The finale: Will and Sarah reunite to fight Botha's team together. Zhao sacrifices himself to save the children. The climactic battle in the mirrored sphere room where Will defeats Botha. The family uses the sphere's technology to signal for helicopter rescue as the building burns around them.
Transformation
The family reunites on the ground, embracing. Will has proven that his disability doesn't define him - his determination, ingenuity, and love for his family make him unstoppable. The final image mirrors the opening but shows a man transformed by his ultimate test.