The Informant!
A rising star at agri-industry giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Mark Whitacre suddenly turns whistleblower. Even as he exposes his company’s multi-national price-fixing conspiracy to the FBI, Whitacre envisions himself being hailed as a hero of the common man and handed a promotion.
Working with a moderate budget of $22.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $41.8M in global revenue (+90% 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 Informant! (2009) exemplifies meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Steven Soderbergh's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 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 Mark Whitacre, a successful ADM executive, appears to have it all - nice house, family, high-level corporate position. His rambling internal monologue about corn and secret agents establishes his quirky, unreliable narration.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Mark reveals to FBI agents Shepard and Herndon that ADM is involved in a massive international price-fixing conspiracy. What seems like a disruption TO him is actually BY him - he voluntarily becomes an informant.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Mark makes his first successful covert recording of ADM executives discussing price-fixing at a meeting. He actively chooses to cross the line from executive to informant, entering the "spy world" he fantasizes about., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False victory: Mark delivers crucial evidence that will take down ADM. He expects to be rewarded, perhaps becoming CEO. The FBI case is stronger than ever, and Mark seems like a hero. But the audience begins to suspect something is off., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 81 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The FBI confronts Mark with evidence of his $9 million embezzlement from ADM. His fantasy of being the hero collapses. The "death" is of his false identity and dreams - he will not be celebrated or rewarded, but prosecuted., 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. Mark is diagnosed with bipolar disorder and accepts he must face consequences. He finally stops trying to manipulate the narrative and accepts reality, though this realization brings no redemption - only accountability., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Informant!'s emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Informant! against these established plot points, we can identify how Steven Soderbergh utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Informant! within the drama genre.
Steven Soderbergh's Structural Approach
Among the 16 Steven Soderbergh films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Informant! represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Steven Soderbergh filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Steven Soderbergh analyses, see Traffic, Ocean's Thirteen and Contagion.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Mark Whitacre, a successful ADM executive, appears to have it all - nice house, family, high-level corporate position. His rambling internal monologue about corn and secret agents establishes his quirky, unreliable narration.
Theme
Mark's wife Ginger tells him "Just tell them the truth" when he's worried about the FBI investigation. The film's central question: What is truth when the truth-teller is fundamentally dishonest?
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Mark's world at ADM, the lysine price-fixing conspiracy, corporate culture, his family life, and initial contact with FBI when he reports extortion threats. Shows Mark as competent executive with hidden depths.
Disruption
Mark reveals to FBI agents Shepard and Herndon that ADM is involved in a massive international price-fixing conspiracy. What seems like a disruption TO him is actually BY him - he voluntarily becomes an informant.
Resistance
FBI agents Shepard and Herndon become Mark's guides, teaching him how to wear a wire, gather evidence, and navigate the dangerous world of corporate espionage. Mark debates whether he can really do this, but his ego drives him forward.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Mark makes his first successful covert recording of ADM executives discussing price-fixing at a meeting. He actively chooses to cross the line from executive to informant, entering the "spy world" he fantasizes about.
Mirror World
Mark's relationship with FBI agents Shepard and Herndon deepens. They represent the honest world he claims to want to join, mirroring his stated desire to "do the right thing" while highlighting his fundamental dishonesty.
Premise
The "fun and games" of Mark as secret agent - wearing wires, recording meetings, international trips, gathering evidence. He thrives on the excitement and importance, living out his spy fantasies while his internal monologue grows increasingly bizarre.
Midpoint
False victory: Mark delivers crucial evidence that will take down ADM. He expects to be rewarded, perhaps becoming CEO. The FBI case is stronger than ever, and Mark seems like a hero. But the audience begins to suspect something is off.
Opposition
The FBI begins investigating Mark's own activities. Evidence emerges of his embezzlement, fabrications, and psychological issues. Mark's lies multiply as he tries to maintain his hero narrative while his credibility crumbles.
Collapse
The FBI confronts Mark with evidence of his $9 million embezzlement from ADM. His fantasy of being the hero collapses. The "death" is of his false identity and dreams - he will not be celebrated or rewarded, but prosecuted.
Crisis
Mark spirals as reality crashes in. His attorneys, wife, and the FBI all realize the extent of his deception. Mark attempts suicide. The dark night reveals his bipolar disorder and pathological lying were present all along.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Mark is diagnosed with bipolar disorder and accepts he must face consequences. He finally stops trying to manipulate the narrative and accepts reality, though this realization brings no redemption - only accountability.
Synthesis
Court proceedings for both the ADM executives and Mark. The price-fixing case succeeds thanks to Mark's evidence, but he receives a longer sentence than the criminals he exposed. The ironic resolution of conflicting truths.
Transformation
Mark in prison, still narrating his grandiose fantasies to himself. Unlike the opening where we didn't know he was unreliable, now we fully understand: he has not transformed. He remains delusional, but is finally contained by consequences.