The 355
A group of top female agents from American, British, Chinese, Colombian, and German government agencies are drawn together to try and stop an organization from acquiring a deadly weapon to send the world into chaos.
The film underperformed commercially against its significant budget of $75.0M, earning $55.7M globally (-26% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its bold vision within the action genre.
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%)
The 355 (2022) exemplifies precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Simon Kinberg's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 2 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes CIA agent Mason "Mace" Browne operates in the field with her partner Nick Fowler, conducting covert operations. They are skilled professionals in their element, trusted and effective.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Nick is killed during the mission to retrieve the device in Paris. Mace witnesses his death, losing both her partner and the man she loved. The device falls into the hands of a mysterious organization.. 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Mace makes the active choice to recruit Marie and form an alliance, going against protocol to work with a foreign agent. This decision launches them into a new world of international cooperation outside official channels., moving from reaction to action.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False defeat: the team discovers that Nick is actually alive and has been working with the enemy organization. The betrayal is personal for Mace, and the device is still out of reach. The stakes raise dramatically as trust shatters., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 89 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All is lost: the team is captured, one member is critically injured (whiff of death), and the device is activated causing a catastrophic event. Their alliance appears to have failed, and the world faces digital apocalypse. Everything they fought for seems destroyed., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 97 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Breakthrough: the team discovers the true mastermind and realizes they must fully trust each other—combining their national skills with genuine sisterhood. They synthesize their individual training with newfound unity to formulate a final plan., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The 355's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The 355 against these established plot points, we can identify how Simon Kinberg utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The 355 within the action genre.
Simon Kinberg's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Simon Kinberg films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The 355 takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Simon Kinberg filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Simon Kinberg analyses, see Dark Phoenix.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
CIA agent Mason "Mace" Browne operates in the field with her partner Nick Fowler, conducting covert operations. They are skilled professionals in their element, trusted and effective.
Theme
A character discusses trust and how in the spy world, everyone operates alone, but sometimes survival requires unlikely alliances. The film explores whether enemies can become allies when facing a common threat.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the world of international espionage, establishing Mace and Nick's relationship, the CIA operations structure, and the threat of a dangerous decryption device. DNI agent Luis Rojas acquires the device in Paris, setting up the global stakes.
Disruption
Nick is killed during the mission to retrieve the device in Paris. Mace witnesses his death, losing both her partner and the man she loved. The device falls into the hands of a mysterious organization.
Resistance
Mace grieves but becomes determined to complete the mission and avenge Nick. She goes rogue against CIA orders, tracking the device to Paris. She encounters German BND agent Marie Schmidt, initially as adversaries operating with different agendas.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Mace makes the active choice to recruit Marie and form an alliance, going against protocol to work with a foreign agent. This decision launches them into a new world of international cooperation outside official channels.
Mirror World
The team expands as they recruit Khadijah, a former MI6 agent and tech specialist, and Graciela, a Colombian psychologist with DNI connections. This unlikely sisterhood of international agents represents the thematic counterpoint to lone wolf operations.
Premise
The "fun and games" of a globe-trotting espionage thriller. The team pursues the device across international locations—Paris, London, Shanghai—using their combined skills. Elaborate action sequences, disguises, and tradecraft showcase what the audience came for.
Midpoint
False defeat: the team discovers that Nick is actually alive and has been working with the enemy organization. The betrayal is personal for Mace, and the device is still out of reach. The stakes raise dramatically as trust shatters.
Opposition
The team fractures under pressure. Trust issues emerge as each agent's home agency pressures them to complete solo missions. Nick and the antagonist organization close in, always one step ahead. Personal flaws and national loyalties threaten the alliance.
Collapse
All is lost: the team is captured, one member is critically injured (whiff of death), and the device is activated causing a catastrophic event. Their alliance appears to have failed, and the world faces digital apocalypse. Everything they fought for seems destroyed.
Crisis
Dark night of the soul: separated and beaten, each agent confronts why they became spies and what they're truly fighting for. The processing of their failure and the potential loss of their teammate forces deep reflection on trust and sacrifice.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Breakthrough: the team discovers the true mastermind and realizes they must fully trust each other—combining their national skills with genuine sisterhood. They synthesize their individual training with newfound unity to formulate a final plan.
Synthesis
The finale: the team executes a coordinated assault to stop the device and confront Nick and the true villain. Each agent uses her unique skills while trusting the others completely. The action culminates in recovering the device and defeating the organization.
Transformation
The surviving team members meet as changed women. No longer lone operatives serving only national interests, they've formed a true bond—the 355, named after the first female spy. They're ready to work together again, transformed from rivals to sisters.