Thank You for Your Service
DreamWorks Pictures' Thank You for Your Service follows a group of U.S. soldiers returning from Iraq who struggle to integrate back into family and civilian life, while living with the memory of a war that threatens to destroy them long after they've left the battlefield. Starring an ensemble cast led by Miles Teller, Haley Bennett, Joe Cole, Amy Schumer, Beulah Koale, Scott Haze, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Brad Beyer, Omar J. Dorsey and Jayson Warner Smith, the drama is based on the bestselling book by Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and author David Finkel. Jason Hall, who wrote the screenplay of American Sniper, makes his directorial debut with Thank You for Your Service and also serves as its screenwriter. Jon Kilik (The Hunger Games series, Babel) produces the film, while Ann Ruark (Biutiful) and Jane Evans (Sin City) executive produces.
The film commercial failure against its moderate budget of $20.0M, earning $10.0M globally (-50% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its fresh perspective within the biography genre.
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%)
Thank You for Your Service (2017) exhibits precise story structure, characteristic of Jason Hall's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 49 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Adam Schumann and his unit patrol the dangerous streets of Iraq in 2007, showing their brotherhood and the constant threat of violence that defines their world before coming home.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Adam returns home to his wife Saskia and children, but immediately experiences intrusive memories and emotional numbness. The homecoming that should be joyful reveals his invisible wounds and inability to reintegrate into civilian life.. 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 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Solo's condition deteriorates dramatically despite Adam's efforts to help him. The false hope that they could manage their trauma through brotherhood alone is shattered, revealing the inadequacy of their support systems., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 81 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Solo takes his own life, devastating Adam who tried desperately to save him. This literal death represents the ultimate failure of the promise that soldiers would take care of each other, and Adam is consumed by guilt., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Adam fully commits to treatment and reconnects with his family. He and other veterans work to support each other and advocate for systemic change. Will finds purpose in adapting to his new reality. They build genuine community and healing through vulnerability., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Thank You for Your Service'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 Thank You for Your Service against these established plot points, we can identify how Jason Hall utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Thank You for Your Service within the biography genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional biography films include Lords of Dogtown, Ip Man 2 and A Complete Unknown.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Adam Schumann and his unit patrol the dangerous streets of Iraq in 2007, showing their brotherhood and the constant threat of violence that defines their world before coming home.
Theme
A fellow soldier tells Adam, "We're supposed to take care of each other," establishing the film's exploration of how warriors are meant to support one another both in war and after.
Worldbuilding
Iraq combat sequences establish the bonds between soldiers and the traumatic events they endure. We see Adam fail to save his friend Emory, Solo witness a child killed by insurgents, and Will suffer a traumatic brain injury. Their return home to Kansas begins.
Disruption
Adam returns home to his wife Saskia and children, but immediately experiences intrusive memories and emotional numbness. The homecoming that should be joyful reveals his invisible wounds and inability to reintegrate into civilian life.
Resistance
The veterans struggle with adjustment. Adam can't connect with his family, Solo battles nightmares and anger, Will faces cognitive issues from his brain injury. They navigate inadequate VA support systems and try to resist admitting they need help, clinging to warrior identity.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The soldiers navigate the broken VA system, attend therapy sessions, and attempt to support each other. Adam tries to help Solo and Will while managing his own trauma. They experience small victories and setbacks in the difficult journey of recovery.
Midpoint
Solo's condition deteriorates dramatically despite Adam's efforts to help him. The false hope that they could manage their trauma through brotherhood alone is shattered, revealing the inadequacy of their support systems.
Opposition
The veterans' mental health crises intensify. Solo becomes increasingly unstable and isolated. Adam's PTSD worsens, straining his marriage to the breaking point. Will struggles with memory loss and identity. The system continues to fail them as they spiral downward.
Collapse
Solo takes his own life, devastating Adam who tried desperately to save him. This literal death represents the ultimate failure of the promise that soldiers would take care of each other, and Adam is consumed by guilt.
Crisis
Adam spirals into his darkest moment of grief and self-blame over Solo's death. He contemplates his own suicide, feeling he has failed everyone. Saskia and his family fear losing him as he withdraws completely.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Adam fully commits to treatment and reconnects with his family. He and other veterans work to support each other and advocate for systemic change. Will finds purpose in adapting to his new reality. They build genuine community and healing through vulnerability.