The Master
Uncle Tak, the old martial-arts master and medicine in normal life has severe problems with his former student Jonny, who wants nothing more than to kill his old master to show everyone who the real master is. Uncle Tak wants Jet, his best student, to come over from China to the US. Jet gets no green card, but finally manages to come as a tourist. Jet is not familiar with the American way of life, but all the better with the way of fighting.
The film earned $8.1M at the global box office.
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 Master (1992) showcases strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of Tsui Hark's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 32 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The protagonist is introduced in their ordinary world, establishing their current life circumstances and relationships before the journey begins.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when A significant event disrupts the protagonist's current path—perhaps a humiliating defeat, a master's challenge, or a threat to someone they care about.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to The protagonist makes an active choice to commit to the path of becoming a true master, accepting a mentor's tutelage or entering a tournament/training program., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat A false victory—the protagonist achieves a significant win or breakthrough in their training, but this success masks deeper challenges or costs that haven't been reckoned with yet., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 69 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The protagonist suffers a devastating loss—perhaps the death or betrayal of the mentor, a crushing defeat, or the realization that their pursuit has cost them everything they valued., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. A revelation or synthesis occurs—the protagonist integrates the wisdom from their mirror world relationship with their original strength, finding a new understanding of what it means to be a master., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Master'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 Master against these established plot points, we can identify how Tsui Hark utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Master within the action genre.
Tsui Hark's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Tsui Hark films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Master represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Tsui Hark filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Tsui Hark analyses, see The Taking of Tiger Mountain, Knock Off and Double Team.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The protagonist is introduced in their ordinary world, establishing their current life circumstances and relationships before the journey begins.
Theme
A supporting character hints at the central thematic question about mastery, discipline, and the cost of pursuing perfection.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the martial arts world, the protagonist's existing skills, their relationships with family and peers, and the cultural context that shapes their ambitions.
Disruption
A significant event disrupts the protagonist's current path—perhaps a humiliating defeat, a master's challenge, or a threat to someone they care about.
Resistance
The protagonist resists the call to pursue a higher level of mastery, debates the sacrifice required, and encounters a potential mentor or guide figure.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The protagonist makes an active choice to commit to the path of becoming a true master, accepting a mentor's tutelage or entering a tournament/training program.
Mirror World
Introduction of a relationship that will carry the thematic weight—perhaps a rival who becomes a friend, a love interest, or a fellow student who represents a different philosophy.
Premise
The protagonist experiences the promise of the premise: intensive training montages, learning new techniques, bonding with allies, and initial victories that build confidence.
Midpoint
A false victory—the protagonist achieves a significant win or breakthrough in their training, but this success masks deeper challenges or costs that haven't been reckoned with yet.
Opposition
The antagonist or opposing forces intensify pressure; the protagonist's flaws are exposed; relationships strain under the weight of ambition; the true cost of mastery becomes apparent.
Collapse
The protagonist suffers a devastating loss—perhaps the death or betrayal of the mentor, a crushing defeat, or the realization that their pursuit has cost them everything they valued.
Crisis
In the dark night of the soul, the protagonist grapples with whether the path of mastery is worth continuing, confronting their deepest fears and the meaning of their journey.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
A revelation or synthesis occurs—the protagonist integrates the wisdom from their mirror world relationship with their original strength, finding a new understanding of what it means to be a master.
Synthesis
The finale: the protagonist faces the ultimate challenge, executing their newly integrated understanding in a climactic confrontation that resolves both external and internal conflicts.
Transformation
The closing image mirrors the opening but reveals transformation—the protagonist has become a true master, not just in skill but in wisdom, embodying the thematic resolution.