The Devil's Own
A thriller about an IRA gunman who draws an American family into the crossfire of terrorism. Frankie McGuire is one of the IRA's deadliest assassins. But when he is sent to the U.S. to buy weapons, Frankie is housed with the family of Tom O'Meara, a New York cop who knows nothing about Frankie's real identity. Their surprising friendship, and Tom's growing suspicions, force Frankie to choose between the promise of peace or a lifetime of murder.
Working with a significant budget of $90.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $140.8M in global revenue (+56% profit margin).
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 Devil's Own (1997) showcases meticulously timed plot construction, characteristic of Alan J. Pakula's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Young Frankie McGuire witnesses his father's assassination by masked loyalist gunmen at the family dinner table in Belfast, establishing the cycle of violence that will define his life.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Frankie's IRA mission goes wrong when British forces ambush them on a boat, killing his comrades. He barely escapes and is sent to America under the alias "Rory Devaney" to purchase Stinger missiles for the cause.. 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 shows the protagonist's commitment to Frankie fully commits to his dual life, accepting the O'Mearas' hospitality while secretly meeting with Billy Burke to negotiate the purchase of Stinger missiles. He chooses to deceive the family that has opened their home to him., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Tom's partner Eddie Diaz is killed during a confrontation with a suspect. This death shatters Tom's sense of control and begins to open his eyes to the violence that surrounds him—including, unknowingly, the man in his basement., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Tom discovers Frankie's true identity as an IRA terrorist. The man he welcomed into his home, treated like a son, is responsible for violence and death. Tom's worldview of moral clarity collapses—he must now confront the "shades of gray" he spoke of., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 86 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Tom makes the decision to stop Frankie himself rather than simply turn him in. He cannot let the missiles reach Ireland, but he also cannot fully abandon the bond they shared. He chooses to confront Frankie directly., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Devil's Own's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Devil's Own against these established plot points, we can identify how Alan J. Pakula utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Devil's Own within the action genre.
Alan J. Pakula's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Alan J. Pakula films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Devil's Own takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Alan J. Pakula filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Alan J. Pakula analyses, see All the President's Men, Presumed Innocent and Consenting Adults.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young Frankie McGuire witnesses his father's assassination by masked loyalist gunmen at the family dinner table in Belfast, establishing the cycle of violence that will define his life.
Theme
Tom O'Meara tells his family that there's no such thing as black and white in life, only shades of gray—a theme that will be tested when he discovers the truth about the man living in his basement.
Worldbuilding
Parallel setup of two worlds: Frankie as an adult IRA operative conducting a deadly ambush in Belfast, while Tom O'Meara lives his principled life as an honest cop in New York with his wife Sheila and three daughters.
Disruption
Frankie's IRA mission goes wrong when British forces ambush them on a boat, killing his comrades. He barely escapes and is sent to America under the alias "Rory Devaney" to purchase Stinger missiles for the cause.
Resistance
Judge Fitzsimmons arranges for Frankie to stay with the O'Meara family. Tom, unaware of Frankie's true identity, welcomes him into his home. Frankie begins making contacts with arms dealer Billy Burke while maintaining his cover as a construction worker.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Frankie fully commits to his dual life, accepting the O'Mearas' hospitality while secretly meeting with Billy Burke to negotiate the purchase of Stinger missiles. He chooses to deceive the family that has opened their home to him.
Mirror World
Frankie bonds with Tom over drinks and stories, experiencing the warmth of a father figure he lost as a child. Tom becomes the moral counterpoint—a man of principle who represents the peaceful life Frankie can never have.
Premise
Frankie navigates his double life, growing closer to the O'Meara family while advancing his arms deal. He forms genuine connections with Tom's daughters and Sheila, even as he works to finalize the missile purchase with increasingly dangerous criminals.
Midpoint
Tom's partner Eddie Diaz is killed during a confrontation with a suspect. This death shatters Tom's sense of control and begins to open his eyes to the violence that surrounds him—including, unknowingly, the man in his basement.
Opposition
Tom investigates Eddie's death while Frankie's arms deal becomes more complicated. British intelligence and the NYPD close in on Frankie. Billy Burke demands more money. Tom begins to suspect something is wrong with "Rory" but can't yet see the full truth.
Collapse
Tom discovers Frankie's true identity as an IRA terrorist. The man he welcomed into his home, treated like a son, is responsible for violence and death. Tom's worldview of moral clarity collapses—he must now confront the "shades of gray" he spoke of.
Crisis
Tom grapples with his discovery. Frankie knows Tom is aware of the truth. Both men understand their relationship is irreparably broken. Frankie prepares to complete the arms deal and escape while Tom must decide whether to arrest the man he cared for.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Tom makes the decision to stop Frankie himself rather than simply turn him in. He cannot let the missiles reach Ireland, but he also cannot fully abandon the bond they shared. He chooses to confront Frankie directly.
Synthesis
Tom tracks Frankie to the waterfront where the arms deal is taking place. Frankie kills Billy Burke's men when they try to double-cross him. Tom arrives for the final confrontation between the two men who became like father and son.
Transformation
Tom is forced to shoot Frankie to stop him from escaping with the missiles. As Frankie dies in Tom's arms, both men recognize the tragedy—Frankie was shaped by violence from childhood, and Tom must live with killing the man he tried to save. The cycle of violence claims another victim.