Stakeout
Two detectives observe an escaped convict's ex-girlfriend, but complications set in when one of them falls for her.
Despite its modest budget of $14.5M, Stakeout became a commercial success, earning $65.7M worldwide—a 353% return. The film's unique voice resonated with audiences, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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%)
Stakeout (1987) reveals precise dramatic framework, characteristic of John Badham's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 56 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Detective Chris Lecce is stuck in a monotonous, mediocre police career doing surveillance work with his partner Bill Reimers. His personal life is equally stagnant - divorced and going through the motions.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Dangerous escaped convict Richard "Stick" Montgomery breaks out of prison. Chris and Bill are assigned to stake out the home of Maria McGuire, Stick's former girlfriend, with orders to watch and wait for him to contact her.. 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.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Stick makes contact with Maria. The stakes dramatically escalate - the surveillance is working, but Chris realizes his relationship with Maria is now directly endangered by the very case he's working. False defeat: his success as a cop threatens his success as a man in love., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 87 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Maria discovers Chris's true identity and the deception. She feels utterly betrayed - their entire relationship was built on a lie. She throws him out. Chris has lost both the woman he loves and his professional objectivity. The whiff of death: the death of trust, the death of the relationship, the death of who Chris thought he could become., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 93 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The finale: Chris and Bill confront Stick in a tense showdown. Chris uses both his detective skills AND his genuine understanding of Maria to save her life. He fights for her safety not as an assignment but as someone who truly cares. The case is resolved through a combination of professional competence and personal investment., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Stakeout'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 Stakeout against these established plot points, we can identify how John Badham utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Stakeout within the action genre.
John Badham's Structural Approach
Among the 11 John Badham films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Stakeout takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete John Badham filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more John Badham analyses, see Saturday Night Fever, Bird on a Wire and Point of No Return.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Detective Chris Lecce is stuck in a monotonous, mediocre police career doing surveillance work with his partner Bill Reimers. His personal life is equally stagnant - divorced and going through the motions.
Theme
Bill warns Chris about getting too involved with cases, saying "You can't let the job become your life." This foreshadows the central tension between duty and personal connection that will define Chris's arc.
Worldbuilding
We see the daily grind of Chris and Bill's detective work - stakeouts, paperwork, frustration with bureaucracy. Chris's cynical worldview and tendency to break rules for results is established. His failed marriage and distant relationship with his daughter are revealed.
Disruption
Dangerous escaped convict Richard "Stick" Montgomery breaks out of prison. Chris and Bill are assigned to stake out the home of Maria McGuire, Stick's former girlfriend, with orders to watch and wait for him to contact her.
Resistance
Chris and Bill set up surveillance across from Maria's house. Chris debates the ethics and tedium of just watching versus taking action. As they observe Maria through binoculars, Chris becomes increasingly fascinated by her. He resists the growing attraction, knowing it violates every professional boundary.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The "fun and games" of the premise: Chris juggles his double life, romancing Maria while secretly surveilling her home for Stick. Comedy ensues as he and Bill maintain the stakeout while Chris pursues the relationship. The partnership with Bill is tested as Bill grows concerned about Chris's deception.
Midpoint
Stick makes contact with Maria. The stakes dramatically escalate - the surveillance is working, but Chris realizes his relationship with Maria is now directly endangered by the very case he's working. False defeat: his success as a cop threatens his success as a man in love.
Opposition
The pressure intensifies from all sides. Stick grows more dangerous and unpredictable. Chris's superiors demand results. Maria grows closer to Chris, making his deception more painful. Bill becomes increasingly uncomfortable with the ethical breach. Chris's two worlds are on a collision course.
Collapse
Maria discovers Chris's true identity and the deception. She feels utterly betrayed - their entire relationship was built on a lie. She throws him out. Chris has lost both the woman he loves and his professional objectivity. The whiff of death: the death of trust, the death of the relationship, the death of who Chris thought he could become.
Crisis
Chris is devastated by the loss of Maria. He realizes his feelings were real, even if his identity was fake. Bill confronts him about what really matters. Chris faces the darkness of his own deception and must decide what kind of man he wants to be.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale: Chris and Bill confront Stick in a tense showdown. Chris uses both his detective skills AND his genuine understanding of Maria to save her life. He fights for her safety not as an assignment but as someone who truly cares. The case is resolved through a combination of professional competence and personal investment.