The Heat
Uptight and straight-laced, FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn is a methodical investigator with a reputation for excellence--and hyper-arrogance. Shannon Mullins, one of Boston P.D.'s "finest," is foul-mouthed and has a very short fuse, and uses her gut instinct and street smarts to catch the most elusive criminals. Neither has ever had a partner, or a friend for that matter. When these two wildly incompatible law officers join forces to bring down a ruthless drug lord, they become the last thing anyone expected: buddies.
Despite a moderate budget of $43.0M, The Heat became a commercial success, earning $229.9M worldwide—a 435% return.
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 Heat (2013) exhibits strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Paul Feig's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 57 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn conducts a flawless undercover operation alone, showcasing her by-the-book competence but revealing her arrogant, isolated approach that alienates her colleagues.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Ashburn's boss tells her she won't get the promotion unless she proves she can work with others, assigning her to Boston to take down drug lord Larkin - a case she must collaborate on.. 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 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Ashburn is forced to partner with Mullins officially after their captain demands cooperation. She reluctantly accepts that she must work with Mullins to solve the case and get her promotion., moving from reaction to action.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False victory: Ashburn and Mullins successfully raid a location and capture a significant member of Larkin's operation. They celebrate at a bar, getting drunk together and truly bonding - it seems the case is progressing perfectly., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Mullins is stabbed protecting her brother and rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Ashburn faces losing her partner and friend - a "whiff of death" that threatens to destroy their bond and the case., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 93 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Mullins recovers and they synthesize their approaches: Ashburn's FBI resources and intelligence with Mullins' street knowledge and instinct. They formulate a plan to take down Larkin together, as true partners., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Heat's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Heat against these established plot points, we can identify how Paul Feig utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Heat within the action genre.
Paul Feig's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Paul Feig films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Heat represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Paul Feig filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Paul Feig analyses, see Bridesmaids, Ghostbusters and Spy.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn conducts a flawless undercover operation alone, showcasing her by-the-book competence but revealing her arrogant, isolated approach that alienates her colleagues.
Theme
Ashburn's boss hints that she needs to learn to work with others and not be a "lone wolf" - establishing the theme of partnership and collaboration versus isolation.
Worldbuilding
Setup of Ashburn's perfectionist FBI persona in New York, her desperation for promotion, and introduction to Shannon Mullins - the opposite personality, a crude Boston detective who operates on instinct and intimidation.
Disruption
Ashburn's boss tells her she won't get the promotion unless she proves she can work with others, assigning her to Boston to take down drug lord Larkin - a case she must collaborate on.
Resistance
Ashburn travels to Boston and clashes repeatedly with Mullins over jurisdiction and methods. They arrest the same suspect, fight over interrogation tactics, and establish mutual contempt. Ashburn resists partnership.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ashburn is forced to partner with Mullins officially after their captain demands cooperation. She reluctantly accepts that she must work with Mullins to solve the case and get her promotion.
Mirror World
Mullins takes Ashburn to meet her chaotic, loving family - showing Ashburn an alternative world of messy connection versus her own lonely isolation. Mullins' brother Jason is revealed to be in Larkin's organization.
Premise
The mismatched buddy-cop premise delivers: awkward stakeouts, interrogations using Mullins' brutal methods, bar scene bonding, gradually learning each other's strengths. They make progress on the case while building reluctant camaraderie.
Midpoint
False victory: Ashburn and Mullins successfully raid a location and capture a significant member of Larkin's operation. They celebrate at a bar, getting drunk together and truly bonding - it seems the case is progressing perfectly.
Opposition
Larkin's organization strikes back. The stakes escalate as they realize Mullins' family is in danger. Ashburn's FBI team undermines her. The discovery that Mullins' brother Jason is connected forces a painful choice between justice and family.
Collapse
Mullins is stabbed protecting her brother and rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Ashburn faces losing her partner and friend - a "whiff of death" that threatens to destroy their bond and the case.
Crisis
Ashburn keeps vigil at the hospital, confronting her own isolation and realizing Mullins is the first real friend she's ever had. She processes the potential loss and decides what truly matters beyond her career ambition.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Mullins recovers and they synthesize their approaches: Ashburn's FBI resources and intelligence with Mullins' street knowledge and instinct. They formulate a plan to take down Larkin together, as true partners.
Synthesis
Final confrontation with Larkin combining both their methods. They rescue Mullins' brother, take down the drug operation, and work as a seamless team. Ashburn sacrifices her promotion opportunity to protect Mullins.
Transformation
Ashburn, now integrated into Mullins' family gathering, laughs and celebrates with the chaotic group - a stark contrast to her isolated opening. She has chosen friendship and partnership over lonely ambition.