Strange Days
In 1999, Los Angeles is racial war zone with the army and LSPD and SWAT officers fighting Afro-American people. The former cop Lenny Nero is a dealer of illegal recording in CDs that gives the memories and sensations of the recorder to the user. He buys the recordings from the supplier Tick; he misses his former mistress Faith, who was a hooker and now is a singer; his best friend is the private eye Max Peltier and the limousine driver Lornette 'Mace' Mason, who has unrequited love for him. Two days before the turn of the century, the black rapper Jeriko One is murdered. The hooker Iris seeks Lenny out but there is an incident and they do not talk to each other. However she drops a recording into Lenny's car while he unsuccessfully tries to meet Faith at a night-club. However her boyfriend Philo Gant does not let them talk. When Lenny learns that Iris was sadistically raped and killed, he gets involved in a sick scheme and discovers dirty hidden secrets.
The film financial setback against its moderate budget of $42.0M, earning $8.0M globally (-81% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its fresh perspective within the crime genre.
2 wins & 4 nominations
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%)
Strange Days (1995) exhibits meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Kathryn Bigelow's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 25 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Lenny Nero deals illegal SQUID recordings (virtual reality experiences), living in the past through memories of his ex-girlfriend Faith. He's a fallen ex-cop hustling in pre-millennium Los Angeles, addicted to reliving better days.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 17 minutes when Lenny receives a disturbing snuff SQUID recording showing the rape and murder of Iris, a prostitute he knew. Someone is sending him recordings of actual murders, pulling him into something deadly.. 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.
At 73 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Lenny discovers Faith was involved with Jeriko One and has been manipulating him all along. False defeat: his illusions about Faith shatter, and the conspiracy proves more dangerous than expected. The stakes escalate as corrupt cops close in., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 110 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Max kidnaps Mace and tries to kill her with a snuff recording device. Lenny experiences the playback of Max's betrayal and murderous intent. His best friend is the killer, and Mace (who truly loves him) is dying. Everything Lenny believed in—friendship, love, loyalty—dies., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 117 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Lenny and Mace fight through the New Year's Eve riots to deliver the Jeriko One recording to Deputy Commissioner Stringer (an honest cop). Max is killed by corrupt cops. Steckler and Engelman are arrested. The conspiracy is exposed as midnight strikes., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Strange Days's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Strange Days against these established plot points, we can identify how Kathryn Bigelow utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Strange Days within the crime genre.
Kathryn Bigelow's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Kathryn Bigelow films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Strange Days takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Kathryn Bigelow filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more Kathryn Bigelow analyses, see Zero Dark Thirty, The Hurt Locker and K-19: The Widowmaker.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Lenny Nero deals illegal SQUID recordings (virtual reality experiences), living in the past through memories of his ex-girlfriend Faith. He's a fallen ex-cop hustling in pre-millennium Los Angeles, addicted to reliving better days.
Theme
Mace tells Lenny: "Memories were meant to fade, Lenny. They're designed that way for a reason." The theme of letting go of the past versus clinging to it, reality versus virtual experience, is established.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Los Angeles on the eve of the millennium: chaos, racial tension, police brutality. Lenny's world of illegal SQUID recordings, his obsession with Faith, his friendship with Mace, and the dangerous underworld he navigates. Introduction of Max (his friend/supplier) and Faith (now with Philo Gant).
Disruption
Lenny receives a disturbing snuff SQUID recording showing the rape and murder of Iris, a prostitute he knew. Someone is sending him recordings of actual murders, pulling him into something deadly.
Resistance
Lenny debates whether to get involved, still obsessed with Faith. Mace pushes him to face reality and let go. He investigates Iris's death reluctantly, discovering she was involved with Jeriko One (rapper) whose murder sparked riots. More snuff clips arrive.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Lenny and Mace investigate the conspiracy, navigating the dangerous world of SQUID recordings and police corruption. They chase leads, face threats, and piece together the connection between Jeriko One's murder and the recordings. The fun of detective work in a cyberpunk thriller world.
Midpoint
Lenny discovers Faith was involved with Jeriko One and has been manipulating him all along. False defeat: his illusions about Faith shatter, and the conspiracy proves more dangerous than expected. The stakes escalate as corrupt cops close in.
Opposition
The killer (revealed as Max, Lenny's best friend) and corrupt cops hunt Lenny and Mace. Max has been behind the snuff recordings. Faith continues to betray Lenny. The conspiracy reaches the highest levels of LAPD. Every ally seems compromised.
Collapse
Max kidnaps Mace and tries to kill her with a snuff recording device. Lenny experiences the playback of Max's betrayal and murderous intent. His best friend is the killer, and Mace (who truly loves him) is dying. Everything Lenny believed in—friendship, love, loyalty—dies.
Crisis
Lenny saves Mace and confronts the depth of Max's betrayal. He must process that his entire life has been built on illusions: Faith never loved him, Max was using him, his SQUID addiction has blinded him to reality and to Mace's genuine love.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Lenny and Mace fight through the New Year's Eve riots to deliver the Jeriko One recording to Deputy Commissioner Stringer (an honest cop). Max is killed by corrupt cops. Steckler and Engelman are arrested. The conspiracy is exposed as midnight strikes.