The Kingdom
A team of U.S. government agents is sent to investigate the bombing of an American facility in the Middle East.
Working with a mid-range budget of $70.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $86.7M in global revenue (+24% 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 Kingdom (2007) reveals strategically placed story structure, characteristic of Peter Berg's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 50 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Opening montage establishes the history of Saudi Arabia and Western oil interests, showing the cultural and political tensions that define the region.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Terrorists launch a devastating attack on the compound: suicide bomber followed by armed assault, killing over 100 Americans including FBI agent Francis Manner, Special Agent Ronald Fleury's close friend.. 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 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Fleury and his team land in Saudi Arabia despite being given only five days. They choose to enter this dangerous, restricted world to pursue justice for their fallen colleague., moving from reaction to action.
At 55 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat The team identifies the bombmaker's location and successfully raids the apartment, finding crucial evidence. This false victory gives them confidence, but raises the stakes as the terrorists now know they're being hunted., 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 (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Colonel Al-Ghazi is killed in a massive firefight when the team is ambushed in the terrorist neighborhood. His death represents the loss of the bridge between cultures and the death of hope for peaceful resolution., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Fleury rallies the team to honor Al-Ghazi by finishing what they started. They synthesize American tactical skills with knowledge gained from their Saudi partner to launch a final assault on the terrorist leader., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Kingdom'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 Kingdom against these established plot points, we can identify how Peter Berg utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Kingdom within the thriller genre.
Peter Berg's Structural Approach
Among the 9 Peter Berg films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Kingdom takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Peter Berg filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional thriller films include Eye for an Eye, Lake Placid and Operation Finale. For more Peter Berg analyses, see Lone Survivor, The Rundown and Deepwater Horizon.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Opening montage establishes the history of Saudi Arabia and Western oil interests, showing the cultural and political tensions that define the region.
Theme
During the softball game at the American compound, dialogue about "making friends" and cultural understanding foreshadows the central question: can we bridge the divide between cultures, or will violence perpetuate violence?
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the Western housing compound in Riyadh where American oil workers and their families live. A softball game shows the everyday normalcy before terror strikes.
Disruption
Terrorists launch a devastating attack on the compound: suicide bomber followed by armed assault, killing over 100 Americans including FBI agent Francis Manner, Special Agent Ronald Fleury's close friend.
Resistance
FBI Agent Fleury assembles his team and battles bureaucratic resistance to get permission to investigate in Saudi Arabia. Political obstacles and warnings about Saudi cooperation create doubt about the mission.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Fleury and his team land in Saudi Arabia despite being given only five days. They choose to enter this dangerous, restricted world to pursue justice for their fallen colleague.
Mirror World
Introduction of Colonel Faris Al-Ghazi, the Saudi police commander who will escort the FBI team. Despite cultural differences and mutual suspicion, a tentative partnership forms that will embody the theme of cross-cultural understanding.
Premise
The FBI team investigates the crime scene, analyzes forensics, interviews witnesses, and follows leads through Riyadh. Cultural clashes occur but the partnership with Al-Ghazi deepens as they work together.
Midpoint
The team identifies the bombmaker's location and successfully raids the apartment, finding crucial evidence. This false victory gives them confidence, but raises the stakes as the terrorists now know they're being hunted.
Opposition
The terrorists strike back with increasing aggression. The team faces ambushes, political pressure to leave Saudi Arabia, and discovers the conspiracy goes deeper than expected. Al-Ghazi's support becomes critical as danger escalates.
Collapse
Colonel Al-Ghazi is killed in a massive firefight when the team is ambushed in the terrorist neighborhood. His death represents the loss of the bridge between cultures and the death of hope for peaceful resolution.
Crisis
Fleury and team process Al-Ghazi's death while pinned down under fire. The emotional devastation of losing their friend and protector compounds with the physical danger they face.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Fleury rallies the team to honor Al-Ghazi by finishing what they started. They synthesize American tactical skills with knowledge gained from their Saudi partner to launch a final assault on the terrorist leader.
Synthesis
Intense urban combat as the FBI team hunts down Abu Hamza, the terrorist mastermind. They fight through his compound, rescue a kidnapped team member, and ultimately kill the terrorist leader.
Transformation
Fleury comforts the young grandson of Al-Ghazi, but in a devastating reveal, we hear both Fleury and the terrorist leader gave the same final words to loved ones: "Don't fear them" and "We will kill them all" - violence perpetuating violence across both cultures.