The Bounty Hunter
Milo Boyd, a down-on-his-luck bounty hunter, gets his dream job when he is assigned to track down his bail-jumping ex-wife, reporter Nicole Hurly. He thinks all that's ahead is an easy payday, but when Nicole gives him the slip so she can chase a lead on a murder cover-up, Milo realizes that nothing ever goes simply with him and Nicole. The exes continually one-up each other - until they find themselves on the run for their lives. They thought their promise to love, honor and obey was tough - staying alive is going to be a whole lot tougher.
Despite a mid-range budget of $40.0M, The Bounty Hunter became a box office success, earning $136.3M worldwide—a 241% return.
4 wins & 5 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%)
The Bounty Hunter (2010) reveals carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Andy Tennant's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 50 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Milo Boyd, a down-on-his-luck bounty hunter, is shown struggling financially and living a chaotic life after his divorce from reporter Nicole Hurley. Nicole is investigating a suspicious suicide case while dealing with her own professional pressures.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Milo discovers his next bounty is Nicole, his ex-wife who skipped bail. He's thrilled at the chance to arrest her and collect the reward, seeing it as poetic justice.. 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Milo successfully captures Nicole and handcuffs her. He makes the active choice to take her back to jail, forcing them into an extended road trip together. Their journey into forced proximity begins., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False victory: Milo and Nicole visit their old haunt, Atlantic City, and have a surprisingly good time together. They share a moment of genuine connection and intimacy, rekindling their romance. It seems they might actually get back together., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 82 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Milo and Nicole have a major fight where old resentments explode. Milo insists on turning her in despite the danger she's in, prioritizing the bounty over her safety. Nicole feels betrayed again, and they separate bitterly. Their reconciliation appears dead., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Milo realizes Nicole is in real danger and that he truly loves her. He chooses her safety over the bounty money. Nicole decides to trust Milo despite their history. They synthesize their skills - his street smarts and her investigative abilities - to face the threat together., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Bounty Hunter'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 Bounty Hunter against these established plot points, we can identify how Andy Tennant utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Bounty Hunter within the action genre.
Andy Tennant's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Andy Tennant films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Bounty Hunter represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Andy Tennant filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Andy Tennant analyses, see It Takes Two, Fools Rush In and EverAfter.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Milo Boyd, a down-on-his-luck bounty hunter, is shown struggling financially and living a chaotic life after his divorce from reporter Nicole Hurley. Nicole is investigating a suspicious suicide case while dealing with her own professional pressures.
Theme
Milo's boss tells him: "Sometimes the best bounty is the one that got away." This foreshadows the central theme about second chances and confronting unfinished business in relationships.
Worldbuilding
We see Milo's failed bounty attempts and gambling debts. Nicole skips her court date to pursue her investigation into a possible murder covered up as suicide. Their separate worlds are established - both are chasing something while running from their past.
Disruption
Milo discovers his next bounty is Nicole, his ex-wife who skipped bail. He's thrilled at the chance to arrest her and collect the reward, seeing it as poetic justice.
Resistance
Milo tracks Nicole down while she tries to evade him and continue her investigation. She attempts to reason with him and explain the importance of her story. Both debate whether to cooperate or continue their antagonistic relationship.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Milo successfully captures Nicole and handcuffs her. He makes the active choice to take her back to jail, forcing them into an extended road trip together. Their journey into forced proximity begins.
Mirror World
During their forced time together, moments of their past relationship surface. We see flashbacks or references to why they fell in love initially, establishing the relationship subplot that will teach them both about trust and vulnerability.
Premise
The "fun and games" of ex-spouses on a road trip. Milo enjoys having power over Nicole while she tries to escape and prove her story. They encounter various obstacles including a hitman after Nicole, Milo's bookie demanding payment, and Nicole's jealous colleague Stewart.
Midpoint
False victory: Milo and Nicole visit their old haunt, Atlantic City, and have a surprisingly good time together. They share a moment of genuine connection and intimacy, rekindling their romance. It seems they might actually get back together.
Opposition
The danger escalates as the hitman closes in, Milo's bookie becomes more threatening, and corrupt cops are revealed to be involved in the cover-up Nicole is investigating. Their old relationship wounds resurface, causing conflict. Both their literal and emotional pursuers close in.
Collapse
Milo and Nicole have a major fight where old resentments explode. Milo insists on turning her in despite the danger she's in, prioritizing the bounty over her safety. Nicole feels betrayed again, and they separate bitterly. Their reconciliation appears dead.
Crisis
Milo processes his actions and realizes he's repeated the same selfish mistakes that destroyed their marriage. Nicole faces the danger alone, contemplating whether pursuing the story is worth her life. Both hit their emotional bottom.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Milo realizes Nicole is in real danger and that he truly loves her. He chooses her safety over the bounty money. Nicole decides to trust Milo despite their history. They synthesize their skills - his street smarts and her investigative abilities - to face the threat together.
Synthesis
Milo and Nicole work together to expose the corrupt cops and the murder cover-up. They outsmart the hitman and the bookie. Nicole gets her story and vindication. They confront their antagonists as a team, using both their talents in concert.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening but transformed: Milo and Nicole are back together, having learned to trust and support each other. Unlike the bitter divorced couple from the Status Quo, they're now partners who've confronted their past and chosen each other again.