The Order
For centuries, a secret Order of priests has existed within the Church. A renegade priest, Father Alex Bernier, is sent to Rome to investigate the mysterious death of one of the Order's most revered members. Following a series of strangely similar killings, Bernier launches an investigation that forces him to confront unimaginable evil.
The film box office disappointment against its respectable budget of $35.0M, earning $11.6M globally (-67% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its bold vision within the fantasy genre.
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 Order (2003) exemplifies deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Brian Helgeland's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Alex Bernier performs an exorcism in New York, establishing him as a priest of the Carolingian Order, skilled in battling demons but haunted by doubt about his calling and faith.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Alex receives word that his mentor, Dominic, has died mysteriously in Rome. The death is suspicious and unexplained, violating Church law and suggesting dark supernatural forces at work.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Alex decides to actively pursue the Sin Eater, William Eden, defying Church warnings. He commits to uncovering the truth about Dominic's death, even if it means confronting heretical forces and questioning everything he believes about sin and redemption., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Alex finally confronts William Eden face-to-face. Eden reveals he was once a priest like Alex, and that the role of Sin Eater is passed on like a curse—suggesting Alex himself may be destined to inherit this dark calling. What seemed like a simple investigation becomes a trap closing around Alex's soul., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Thomas dies or is mortally wounded by supernatural forces, betrayed by his own loss of faith. Alex loses his closest friend and ally. Simultaneously, Mara's life is threatened, forcing Alex to face the cost of his investigation. Everything Alex tried to protect crumbles—his friend, his love, his faith., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Alex realizes that Eden has been manipulating him all along—the Sin Eater role is not salvation but damnation, an eternal burden of absorbing others' sins. Alex understands he must resist Eden's seduction not through blind faith, but through choosing love and humanity over power. He synthesizes his priestly training with his love for Mara to find his answer., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Order's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Order against these established plot points, we can identify how Brian Helgeland utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Order within the fantasy genre.
Brian Helgeland's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Brian Helgeland films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Order takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Brian Helgeland filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional fantasy films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Conan the Barbarian and Batman Forever. For more Brian Helgeland analyses, see Payback, Legend and 42.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Alex Bernier performs an exorcism in New York, establishing him as a priest of the Carolingian Order, skilled in battling demons but haunted by doubt about his calling and faith.
Theme
A fellow priest or mentor figure suggests that true faith requires accepting mystery and darkness, not just light—hinting at the film's exploration of sin, redemption, and the gray areas between good and evil.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the Carolingian Order, Alex's relationship with his troubled fellow priest Thomas, and the underground world of exorcism. We see Alex's troubled past with Mara, a woman he once tried to exorcise, establishing the complex relationships and spiritual conflicts.
Disruption
Alex receives word that his mentor, Dominic, has died mysteriously in Rome. The death is suspicious and unexplained, violating Church law and suggesting dark supernatural forces at work.
Resistance
Alex and Thomas travel to Rome to investigate. They debate whether to trust Church authorities, discover strange markings on Dominic's body, and learn whispered rumors about a "Sin Eater"—a forbidden figure who absolves sins outside the Church. Alex resists leaving his familiar world but is drawn deeper into the mystery.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Alex decides to actively pursue the Sin Eater, William Eden, defying Church warnings. He commits to uncovering the truth about Dominic's death, even if it means confronting heretical forces and questioning everything he believes about sin and redemption.
Premise
Alex hunts for William Eden through Rome's underground occult world, witnessing the Sin Eater's power to absolve dying sinners outside Church authority. He explores the seductive promise of the premise: What if redemption exists beyond institutional religion? Alex is drawn to Eden's philosophy while growing closer to Mara.
Midpoint
Alex finally confronts William Eden face-to-face. Eden reveals he was once a priest like Alex, and that the role of Sin Eater is passed on like a curse—suggesting Alex himself may be destined to inherit this dark calling. What seemed like a simple investigation becomes a trap closing around Alex's soul.
Opposition
The Vatican and demonic forces close in on Alex. Thomas's faith cracks under the pressure. Eden manipulates events to isolate Alex, using Mara as leverage. Alex's doubts deepen as he witnesses Eden's genuine ability to bring peace to the dying, forcing him to question whether the Church truly holds monopoly on salvation.
Collapse
Thomas dies or is mortally wounded by supernatural forces, betrayed by his own loss of faith. Alex loses his closest friend and ally. Simultaneously, Mara's life is threatened, forcing Alex to face the cost of his investigation. Everything Alex tried to protect crumbles—his friend, his love, his faith.
Crisis
Alex experiences his dark night, wrestling with whether his faith has meaning if the Church is just another human institution. He contemplates Eden's offer: become the next Sin Eater and truly help people, or remain a priest in a system that may be corrupt. Mara represents life and love, but can he abandon his calling?
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Alex realizes that Eden has been manipulating him all along—the Sin Eater role is not salvation but damnation, an eternal burden of absorbing others' sins. Alex understands he must resist Eden's seduction not through blind faith, but through choosing love and humanity over power. He synthesizes his priestly training with his love for Mara to find his answer.
Synthesis
Alex confronts Eden in a final supernatural battle. He uses both his exorcism training and his newfound clarity about what truly matters—human connection over institutional power. He fights to save Mara and prevent Eden from claiming his soul. The battle tests whether Alex can maintain faith without certainty, love without possession.
Transformation
Alex becomes the new Sin Eater, taking on Eden's cursed role to save Mara—a tragic inversion of the opening. Where he began as a priest fighting demons, he ends as something between saint and sinner, forever absorbing the sins of the dying. His sacrifice shows transformation through damnation, love through loss.