The Marksman
Jim Hanson’s quiet life is suddenly disturbed by two people crossing the US/Mexico border – a woman and her young son – desperate to flee a Mexican cartel. After a shootout leaves the mother dead, Jim becomes the boy’s reluctant defender. He embraces his role as Miguel’s protector and will stop at nothing to get him to safety, as they go on the run from the relentless assassins.
Working with a respectable budget of $23.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $23.1M in global revenue (+0% 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 Marksman (2021) exhibits strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Robert Lorenz's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Jim Hanson patrols the Arizona-Mexico border alone on his failing ranch, his life marked by isolation, financial ruin, and impending foreclosure. He's a former Marine reduced to watching for illegal crossings through binoculars.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Jim witnesses a mother and young boy, Miguel, being hunted by cartel members at the border fence. The mother is shot and dies, but with her last breath begs Jim to take Miguel to family in Chicago. The cartel pursues them.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The cartel catches up to them at a truck stop. A violent confrontation occurs where Jim kills one of the sicarios. The stakes are raised - it's now personal for the cartel leader, and Jim realizes they won't stop hunting them. The easy part of the journey is over., 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 cartel ambushes them near Chicago. Jim is seriously wounded in the confrontation. He appears to be dying from his injuries, and Miguel is nearly captured. Everything Jim fought for seems lost - he's failed another person he tried to protect, just like he failed his wife., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 86 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Jim executes a final plan to eliminate the cartel threat and deliver Miguel to his family in Chicago. He uses his tactical expertise and willingness to sacrifice himself. The finale brings together all his skills and his transformation from isolated border watcher to protector willing to die for another., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Marksman's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Marksman against these established plot points, we can identify how Robert Lorenz utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Marksman within the action genre.
Robert Lorenz's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Robert Lorenz films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.6, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Marksman represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Robert Lorenz filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Robert Lorenz analyses, see Trouble with the Curve.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jim Hanson patrols the Arizona-Mexico border alone on his failing ranch, his life marked by isolation, financial ruin, and impending foreclosure. He's a former Marine reduced to watching for illegal crossings through binoculars.
Theme
A border patrol officer tells Jim, "You can't save everyone" - establishing the film's central question about moral responsibility and whether one person can make a difference in an overwhelming crisis.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Jim's failing ranch, his mounting debts, his wife's death from cancer, and his strained relationship with his stepdaughter. We see his daily routine of border patrol and his sense of duty despite having no official authority.
Disruption
Jim witnesses a mother and young boy, Miguel, being hunted by cartel members at the border fence. The mother is shot and dies, but with her last breath begs Jim to take Miguel to family in Chicago. The cartel pursues them.
Resistance
Jim debates what to do with Miguel. He contacts border patrol but knows the system will fail the boy. He tries to hand Miguel over to authorities but realizes the cartel will find him. Jim struggles with his conscience and practical limitations.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The road trip delivers the film's promise: an aging warrior protecting an innocent through dangerous territory. Jim uses his tactical skills while bonding with Miguel. They evade the pursuing cartel, stop at diners, and share moments of connection despite the language barrier.
Midpoint
The cartel catches up to them at a truck stop. A violent confrontation occurs where Jim kills one of the sicarios. The stakes are raised - it's now personal for the cartel leader, and Jim realizes they won't stop hunting them. The easy part of the journey is over.
Opposition
The cartel intensifies their pursuit while Jim's health and resources deteriorate. His daughter discovers what he's doing and confronts him. Law enforcement closes in. Every stop becomes more dangerous, and Jim's past failures weigh on him as he questions if he can actually save Miguel.
Collapse
The cartel ambushes them near Chicago. Jim is seriously wounded in the confrontation. He appears to be dying from his injuries, and Miguel is nearly captured. Everything Jim fought for seems lost - he's failed another person he tried to protect, just like he failed his wife.
Crisis
Jim, bleeding and broken, faces his dark night. He must find the will to continue despite his wounds. Miguel tends to him, reversing their roles. Jim contemplates his life of loss and isolation, and whether this final act can give his life meaning.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Jim executes a final plan to eliminate the cartel threat and deliver Miguel to his family in Chicago. He uses his tactical expertise and willingness to sacrifice himself. The finale brings together all his skills and his transformation from isolated border watcher to protector willing to die for another.