The Flock
The paranoid registrant administrator of the Department of Public Safety Erroll Babbage is forced to an early retirement due to his abusive behavior against the sex offenders that he should monitor, and shall spend his last 18 days training his replacement Allison Lowry. When the 17-year-old Harriet Wells is considered missing in his area of work, Errol is convinced that her disappearance is related to one of his parole sex offenders. However, his superiors do not believe on his investigations and he convinces Allison to follow him in the sick underworld of pornography and perversions trying to find the missing girl.
The film commercial failure against its moderate budget of $35.0M, earning $7.2M globally (-80% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its fresh perspective within the crime 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 Flock (2007) demonstrates deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Andrew Lau Wai-Keung's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 45 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 Erroll Babbage, a burned-out Department of Public Safety agent, obsessively monitors registered sex offenders in his jurisdiction. His world is one of paranoia, surveillance, and emotional detachment.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when A young woman, Harriet Wells, goes missing. Erroll discovers that one of his registered offenders may be involved. This case disrupts his planned retirement and awakens his obsessive instincts.. 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 26% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Erroll makes the choice to fully commit to finding Harriet, enlisting Allison's help. He crosses into obsessive investigation mode, abandoning his retirement plans and plunging into the darkness he knows will consume him., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False defeat: They identify a prime suspect but discover he's not the kidnapper. Time is running out for Harriet. Erroll realizes the predator is someone they haven't considered - possibly not even in the system., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Erroll's obsession leads him to cross a moral line, brutally assaulting a suspect. Allison witnesses his complete transformation into the monster he's been hunting. His humanity dies; the whiff of death is his soul., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. A breakthrough: new evidence reveals the kidnapper's location. Erroll and Allison synthesize all they've learned. They have one chance to save Harriet, and Allison chooses to see it through despite what Erroll has become., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Flock'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 Flock against these established plot points, we can identify how Andrew Lau Wai-Keung utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Flock within the crime genre.
Andrew Lau Wai-Keung's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Andrew Lau Wai-Keung films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Flock represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Andrew Lau Wai-Keung filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more Andrew Lau Wai-Keung analyses, see Look for a Star, Chinese Doctors.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Erroll Babbage, a burned-out Department of Public Safety agent, obsessively monitors registered sex offenders in his jurisdiction. His world is one of paranoia, surveillance, and emotional detachment.
Theme
Allison, Erroll's replacement, asks about his methods. A colleague warns her: "He sees predators everywhere. That's what happens when you do this too long." Theme of obsession consuming identity.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Erroll's world of monitoring "the flock" - registered sex offenders. We see his meticulous system, his isolation, and Allison's arrival as his replacement before retirement. The dangerous nature of their work is established.
Disruption
A young woman, Harriet Wells, goes missing. Erroll discovers that one of his registered offenders may be involved. This case disrupts his planned retirement and awakens his obsessive instincts.
Resistance
Erroll debates whether to pursue the case or let it go. He begins training Allison while secretly investigating. He resists full commitment, knowing it will consume him, but can't ignore the missing girl.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Erroll makes the choice to fully commit to finding Harriet, enlisting Allison's help. He crosses into obsessive investigation mode, abandoning his retirement plans and plunging into the darkness he knows will consume him.
Mirror World
Allison becomes Erroll's mirror - she represents who he once was before the job destroyed him. Their relationship carries the theme: can you fight monsters without becoming one?
Premise
The hunt begins in earnest. Erroll and Allison track leads through the registry, interrogate suspects, and follow the trail. We see the promise of the premise: a procedural manhunt through society's darkest corners.
Midpoint
False defeat: They identify a prime suspect but discover he's not the kidnapper. Time is running out for Harriet. Erroll realizes the predator is someone they haven't considered - possibly not even in the system.
Opposition
The investigation intensifies and grows more desperate. Erroll's methods become increasingly unethical and violent. Allison begins to see him transform into something dangerous. The clock ticks down on finding Harriet alive.
Collapse
Erroll's obsession leads him to cross a moral line, brutally assaulting a suspect. Allison witnesses his complete transformation into the monster he's been hunting. His humanity dies; the whiff of death is his soul.
Crisis
In the aftermath of violence, Erroll faces what he's become. Allison must decide whether to continue with him or report him. Both confront the cost of hunting predators - the darkness that seeps into the hunter.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
A breakthrough: new evidence reveals the kidnapper's location. Erroll and Allison synthesize all they've learned. They have one chance to save Harriet, and Allison chooses to see it through despite what Erroll has become.
Synthesis
The finale: Erroll and Allison race to the kidnapper's location. A violent confrontation ensues. They rescue Harriet, but at great cost. Erroll's methods succeed but confirm his complete moral compromise.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening: Allison now sits where Erroll once sat, beginning her watch over the flock. But we see in her eyes the same darkness beginning. The transformation is complete - and cyclical.