The Matador
The life of Danny Wright, a salesman forever on the road, veers into dangerous and surreal territory when he wanders into a Mexican bar and meets a mysterious stranger, Julian, who's very likely a hit man. Their meeting sets off a chain of events that will change their lives forever, as Wright is suddenly thrust into a far-from-mundane existence that he takes to surprisingly well … once he gets acclimated to it.
Working with a modest budget of $10.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $17.3M in global revenue (+73% 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 Matador (2005) exhibits meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Richard Shepard's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 37 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 Julian Noble, disheveled and haunted, sits alone at a bullfight in Mexico City, clearly spiraling into a personal and professional crisis as a hitman losing his edge.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Julian and Danny meet randomly at the hotel bar in Mexico City, initiating contact that will change both their lives despite their vastly different worlds.. 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 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 52% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Julian completely melts down at a crucial job, unable to perform. His handler explicitly threatens him, raising the stakes. The fun and games are over—Julian's life is now in genuine danger., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 73 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Julian, desperate and with nowhere else to turn, appears at Danny's Denver home six months later, asking for help. This represents the death of Julian's old life and identity—he's completely fallen apart., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Danny assists Julian in completing the crucial hit. The plan unfolds with Danny using his business skills and Julian's expertise. They succeed together, with Bean ultimately understanding and accepting the bizarre friendship that saved Julian., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Matador's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Matador against these established plot points, we can identify how Richard Shepard utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Matador within the action genre.
Richard Shepard's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Richard Shepard films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.6, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Matador represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Richard Shepard filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Richard Shepard analyses, see The Hunting Party.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Julian Noble, disheveled and haunted, sits alone at a bullfight in Mexico City, clearly spiraling into a personal and professional crisis as a hitman losing his edge.
Theme
Danny's wife Bean mentions that sometimes people need saving from themselves, hinting at the film's exploration of redemption through unlikely human connection.
Worldbuilding
Parallel introduction of two worlds: Julian's isolating life as a hitman experiencing panic attacks and performance anxiety, and Danny's struggling existence as a businessman dealing with his son's death and financial pressure.
Disruption
Julian and Danny meet randomly at the hotel bar in Mexico City, initiating contact that will change both their lives despite their vastly different worlds.
Resistance
Julian and Danny navigate their awkward friendship. Julian debates revealing his true profession while Danny uncertainly engages with this strange, crude character, both men circling around what they need from each other.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The promise of the premise: exploring the dark comedy of a hitman-civilian friendship. Julian's world unravels as his handler loses faith, while the friendship offers both men something they're missing, despite its inherent danger and absurdity.
Midpoint
Julian completely melts down at a crucial job, unable to perform. His handler explicitly threatens him, raising the stakes. The fun and games are over—Julian's life is now in genuine danger.
Opposition
Julian grows more desperate and paranoid, pursued by enemies. Danny returns to his normal life but can't escape what he's learned. The two men are separated but both haunted by their connection, pressure mounting on both.
Collapse
Julian, desperate and with nowhere else to turn, appears at Danny's Denver home six months later, asking for help. This represents the death of Julian's old life and identity—he's completely fallen apart.
Crisis
Danny wrestles with whether to help Julian, risking his marriage and life. Bean is horrified by Julian's presence. This is the dark night where Danny must decide who he is and what their friendship means.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Danny assists Julian in completing the crucial hit. The plan unfolds with Danny using his business skills and Julian's expertise. They succeed together, with Bean ultimately understanding and accepting the bizarre friendship that saved Julian.