The Interview
In the action-comedy The Interview, Dave Skylark (James Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapoport (Seth Rogen) run the popular celebrity tabloid TV show "Skylark Tonight." When they discover that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is a fan of the show, they land an interview with him in an attempt to legitimize themselves as journalists. As Dave and Aaron prepare to travel to Pyongyang, their plans change when the CIA recruits them, perhaps the two least-qualified men imaginable, to assassinate Kim Jong-un.
The film commercial failure against its respectable budget of $44.0M, earning $12.3M globally (-72% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unique voice within the action genre.
2 wins & 6 nominations
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 Interview (2014) exhibits deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Evan Goldberg's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 52 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Dave Skylark hosts his successful tabloid talk show "Skylark Tonight" to enthusiastic crowds, living his shallow celebrity lifestyle while Aaron dreams of producing more serious journalism.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Aaron discovers that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is a huge fan of "Skylark Tonight." This unexpected connection presents an opportunity to land the interview of a lifetime and gain journalistic credibility.. At 11% 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 24% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Dave and Aaron board the plane to North Korea, committing to both the interview and the assassination mission. They cross into a new world where they are no longer just entertainment journalists but potential assassins., moving from reaction to action.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False defeat: Dave refuses to go through with the assassination, believing Kim is a good person who's been misunderstood. Aaron is devastated. The mission appears to have failed, and their friendship fractures over Dave's betrayal., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 83 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The regime discovers the puppy carrying the poison ricin strip. The assassination plot is exposed. Dave and Aaron are captured and face execution. Their mission has failed completely, and death seems imminent., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 88 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Dave and Aaron are brought to film the interview. They realize they can use the live broadcast to expose Kim's lies to the North Korean people—a more powerful weapon than poison. They choose to be real journalists instead of assassins., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Interview'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 Interview against these established plot points, we can identify how Evan Goldberg utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Interview within the action genre.
Evan Goldberg's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Evan Goldberg films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Interview takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Evan Goldberg filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Evan Goldberg analyses, see This Is the End.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Dave Skylark hosts his successful tabloid talk show "Skylark Tonight" to enthusiastic crowds, living his shallow celebrity lifestyle while Aaron dreams of producing more serious journalism.
Theme
At the 1000th episode party, a journalist dismisses their show as fake and meaningless, telling Aaron "You're not a real journalist." This plants the thematic question: What is real vs. what is performance?
Worldbuilding
Establishing the world of tabloid celebrity journalism, Dave and Aaron's bromance, their desire for legitimacy, and the shallow nature of their celebrity interviews contrasted with Aaron's deeper journalistic ambitions.
Disruption
Aaron discovers that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is a huge fan of "Skylark Tonight." This unexpected connection presents an opportunity to land the interview of a lifetime and gain journalistic credibility.
Resistance
Dave and Aaron secure the interview with Kim Jong-un. CIA Agents Lacey and Botwin recruit them to assassinate Kim using a poison handshake. The duo debates whether they can pull off being spies, with Dave excited and Aaron terrified.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Dave and Aaron board the plane to North Korea, committing to both the interview and the assassination mission. They cross into a new world where they are no longer just entertainment journalists but potential assassins.
Mirror World
Dave meets Kim Jong-un for the first time. Kim presents himself as warm, vulnerable, and misunderstood—mirroring Dave's own performance-based identity. This relationship will challenge Dave's assumptions about image versus reality.
Premise
The "fun and games" of Dave bonding with Kim Jong-un through basketball, tanks, partying, and personal confessions. Dave is seduced by Kim's friendship and questions the assassination plan while Aaron tries to keep the mission on track.
Midpoint
False defeat: Dave refuses to go through with the assassination, believing Kim is a good person who's been misunderstood. Aaron is devastated. The mission appears to have failed, and their friendship fractures over Dave's betrayal.
Opposition
Aaron discovers the truth: Kim's grocery store and other displays were elaborate fakes. He tries to convince Dave they've been manipulated. Meanwhile, Sook helps them as the regime grows suspicious, and they struggle to reactivate the poison plan.
Collapse
The regime discovers the puppy carrying the poison ricin strip. The assassination plot is exposed. Dave and Aaron are captured and face execution. Their mission has failed completely, and death seems imminent.
Crisis
In captivity facing death, Dave and Aaron reconcile. Dave realizes he was manipulated by Kim's performance. They recognize that their power isn't in violence but in their actual skill: exposing truth through journalism.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Dave and Aaron are brought to film the interview. They realize they can use the live broadcast to expose Kim's lies to the North Korean people—a more powerful weapon than poison. They choose to be real journalists instead of assassins.
Synthesis
During the live interview, Dave methodically exposes Kim's insecurities and lies, making him cry on camera and destroying his image. A firefight ensues as they escape with Sook's help, fight through the compound, and trigger an explosion. They steal a tank and crash through to freedom.
Transformation
Dave and Aaron, back in America, have written a book about their experience. They've transformed from shallow tabloid journalists seeking validation into people who exposed truth and made a real difference, achieving the authenticity they craved.