Super Fly
Super Fly is a cocaine dealer who begins to realize that his life will soon end with either prison or his death. He decides to build an escape from the life by making his biggest deal yet, converting the coke to cash and running off to start a new life. The problem is that the Mob does not have a retirement plan and will give him a choice of staying and selling for them or dying if they find out his intentions.
Despite its extremely modest budget of $500K, Super Fly became a box office phenomenon, earning $30.0M worldwide—a remarkable 5900% return. The film's innovative storytelling connected with viewers, demonstrating that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
1 win & 1 nomination
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%)
Super Fly (1972) demonstrates precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Gordon Parks Jr.'s storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 31 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Priest executes a smooth drug deal and collection in Harlem, establishing him as a successful, stylish cocaine dealer living the high life. He's at the top of his game but something is missing.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Priest declares to Eddie that he wants out of the drug game. "I know it's a rotten game, but it's the only one the Man left us to play." This disrupts the status quo - Priest can no longer accept his life as it is.. 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 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Scatter agrees to connect Priest with his supplier for one last big score - 30 kilos. Priest commits to his plan: make $1 million in four months, then disappear. This is his active choice to pursue freedom, launching Act 2., moving from reaction to action.
At 45 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False defeat: Corrupt Deputy Commissioner Riordan reveals he knows everything about Priest's operation and forces him into partnership, taking a cut. What seemed like independence was an illusion - Priest is now trapped deeper in the system. The stakes raise dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 67 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Scatter is murdered by Riordan's men as a message to Priest. The whiff of death - his mentor and only connection to the supplier is gone. Priest realizes he's completely trapped in a system designed to destroy him. His dream of escape appears dead., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Synthesis: Priest realizes he must beat the system at its own game. He arranges for a contract on Riordan and creates insurance - documentation of the corruption that will be released if anything happens to him. He combines street smarts with strategic thinking., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Super Fly's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Super Fly against these established plot points, we can identify how Gordon Parks Jr. utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Super Fly within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Priest executes a smooth drug deal and collection in Harlem, establishing him as a successful, stylish cocaine dealer living the high life. He's at the top of his game but something is missing.
Theme
After being jumped and robbed, Priest's partner Eddie says "This is the life we chose" - establishing the central theme that the drug game is a trap with no easy exit, and those within it are bound by their choices.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Priest's world: his relationship with Georgia, his partnership with Eddie, his supplier Scatter, the street-level operations, corrupt police, and the dangerous environment of Harlem's cocaine trade. We see both the glamour and the violence.
Disruption
Priest declares to Eddie that he wants out of the drug game. "I know it's a rotten game, but it's the only one the Man left us to play." This disrupts the status quo - Priest can no longer accept his life as it is.
Resistance
Priest debates his exit strategy. Eddie is resistant, warning it's impossible to leave. Priest seeks out his mentor Scatter to arrange one final massive deal. Scatter, who tried to get out himself, warns Priest about the dangers and initially refuses to help.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Scatter agrees to connect Priest with his supplier for one last big score - 30 kilos. Priest commits to his plan: make $1 million in four months, then disappear. This is his active choice to pursue freedom, launching Act 2.
Mirror World
Deepening of Priest's relationship with Georgia, who represents the possibility of a legitimate life and love beyond the drug world. She challenges him emotionally and embodies the life he's fighting to achieve - freedom and authenticity.
Premise
Priest executes his plan - the promise of the premise. He takes delivery of the 30 kilos, expands his operation, makes deals, manages his network. We see the montage of success, money rolling in, the lifestyle. Everything appears to be working perfectly.
Midpoint
False defeat: Corrupt Deputy Commissioner Riordan reveals he knows everything about Priest's operation and forces him into partnership, taking a cut. What seemed like independence was an illusion - Priest is now trapped deeper in the system. The stakes raise dramatically.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies from all sides: Riordan tightens his grip, rival dealers become threats, Eddie grows paranoid and violent, tension with Georgia increases. Priest tries to navigate the closing walls but his options dwindle. The corruption runs deeper than he imagined.
Collapse
Scatter is murdered by Riordan's men as a message to Priest. The whiff of death - his mentor and only connection to the supplier is gone. Priest realizes he's completely trapped in a system designed to destroy him. His dream of escape appears dead.
Crisis
Priest processes the loss and faces the dark truth: the game is rigged, the system is corrupt from top to bottom, and there is no legitimate way out. He contemplates his next move in despair, knowing traditional escape routes are closed.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Synthesis: Priest realizes he must beat the system at its own game. He arranges for a contract on Riordan and creates insurance - documentation of the corruption that will be released if anything happens to him. He combines street smarts with strategic thinking.
Synthesis
The finale: Priest executes his plan, confronts Riordan directly in a public showdown, reveals his leverage, forces the corrupt cop to back down. He settles accounts, says goodbye to Eddie and the life, and prepares to leave with Georgia on his own terms.
Transformation
Priest walks away from the drug game with Georgia, having won his freedom through force and intelligence rather than the system's permission. The closing image mirrors the opening but shows transformation - same style, different man, choosing his own destiny.