The International
An interpol agent and an attorney are determined to bring one of the world's most powerful banks to justice. Uncovering money laundering, arms trading, and conspiracy to destabilize world governments, their investigation takes them from Berlin, Milan, New York and Istanbul. Finding themselves in a chase across the globe, their relentless tenacity puts their own lives at risk.
Working with a moderate budget of $50.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $60.2M in global revenue (+20% 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 International (2009) exemplifies strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of Tom Tykwer's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 58 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Interpol agent Louis Salinger meets informant in Berlin, investigating the International Bank of Business and Credit (IBBC). The bank's corruption and arms dealing are being exposed, establishing Salinger's relentless pursuit of justice in a world of powerful criminal entities.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Salinger's partner is assassinated on the street after meeting the informant. The death appears to be a heart attack but Salinger suspects murder. This personal loss and elimination of their key witness transforms the investigation from routine case to personal vendetta.. 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.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False victory turns to defeat: After surviving the Guggenheim assassination attempt, they believe they're closing in on the conspiracy. However, they discover the bank doesn't just finance conflict—it creates it, deliberately destabilizing entire nations. The enemy is far larger than imagined. Stakes escalate dramatically; this isn't about one crime but systematic global corruption., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 89 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Their key witness and potential testimony—Colonel Wexler—is assassinated just before he can provide evidence against the IBBC. The "whiff of death" is literal: their case dies with him. All their work across continents appears futile. The bank has eliminated every thread. Salinger faces the reality that the system protects the powerful., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 95 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. The finale in New York and Istanbul. Salinger orchestrates events to position the assassin to kill Skarssen, effectively becoming complicit in murder to achieve justice. The assassination succeeds. Aftermath: testimony is secured, IBBC faces exposure, but victory is morally hollow. Salinger has become what he fought against—someone who operates outside the law., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The International's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The International against these established plot points, we can identify how Tom Tykwer utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The International within the action genre.
Tom Tykwer's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Tom Tykwer films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.2, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The International represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Tom Tykwer filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Tom Tykwer analyses, see Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, Run Lola Run and A Hologram for the King.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Interpol agent Louis Salinger meets informant in Berlin, investigating the International Bank of Business and Credit (IBBC). The bank's corruption and arms dealing are being exposed, establishing Salinger's relentless pursuit of justice in a world of powerful criminal entities.
Theme
Salinger's partner warns about the IBBC: "Sometimes the hardest thing to do is nothing." Theme of futility against overwhelming institutional corruption, and the cost of obsessive pursuit of justice versus knowing when to back away.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the world of international banking corruption. Salinger and partner attempt to extract whistleblower evidence against IBBC. The bank's vast reach, connections to arms deals, and willingness to eliminate threats are established. Partner is murdered after their meeting, demonstrating IBBC's ruthlessness.
Disruption
Salinger's partner is assassinated on the street after meeting the informant. The death appears to be a heart attack but Salinger suspects murder. This personal loss and elimination of their key witness transforms the investigation from routine case to personal vendetta.
Resistance
Salinger teams with Manhattan ADA Eleanor Whitman to continue the investigation. They debate whether they can actually bring down an institution as powerful as IBBC. Evidence gathering begins: tracking bank executives, investigating the partner's death, uncovering the bank's pattern of financing weapons and destabilizing regions for profit.
Act II
ConfrontationMirror World
Partnership with Eleanor Whitman deepens as the thematic counterpoint to Salinger's obsession. She represents legal procedure, restraint, and institutional channels, while he represents relentless pursuit at any cost. Their collaboration embodies the central tension between justice through systems versus justice through determination.
Premise
Globe-trotting investigation thriller unfolds. Milan pursuit of Skarssen, discovery of assassin network, spectacular Guggenheim Museum shootout, following money trails through Luxembourg and Istanbul. The "promise of the premise" delivers international intrigue, conspiracy unraveling, and action set pieces as they get closer to IBBC's operations.
Midpoint
False victory turns to defeat: After surviving the Guggenheim assassination attempt, they believe they're closing in on the conspiracy. However, they discover the bank doesn't just finance conflict—it creates it, deliberately destabilizing entire nations. The enemy is far larger than imagined. Stakes escalate dramatically; this isn't about one crime but systematic global corruption.
Opposition
IBBC tightens its grip. Witnesses are eliminated, evidence disappears, political pressure mounts to drop the case. Salinger and Whitman face assassination attempts and institutional betrayal. The conspiracy reaches into intelligence agencies and governments. Their obsession strains the partnership; Whitman questions if they can win, while Salinger becomes more reckless and isolated.
Collapse
Their key witness and potential testimony—Colonel Wexler—is assassinated just before he can provide evidence against the IBBC. The "whiff of death" is literal: their case dies with him. All their work across continents appears futile. The bank has eliminated every thread. Salinger faces the reality that the system protects the powerful.
Crisis
Dark night of the soul. Salinger grapples with futility—every witness dead, every lead erased, the bank untouchable. Whitman confronts him about his obsession destroying him. He must decide: accept that some institutions are too powerful to defeat through legal means, or find another way. The emotional low point before final clarity.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale in New York and Istanbul. Salinger orchestrates events to position the assassin to kill Skarssen, effectively becoming complicit in murder to achieve justice. The assassination succeeds. Aftermath: testimony is secured, IBBC faces exposure, but victory is morally hollow. Salinger has become what he fought against—someone who operates outside the law.
Transformation
Salinger stands alone, having achieved his goal but at the cost of his principles and soul. Mirror to Status Quo: he began as an agent pursuing justice through institutional means; he ends having facilitated murder. The closing image shows him hollow, victorious but corrupted, proving the theme—fighting monsters can turn you into one.