The Other Guys
Terry Hoitz's past mistakes in the line of duty and Allen Gamble's reluctance to take risks have landed them the roles of the "Other Guys", disgraced New York City police detectives relegated to filling out paperwork for cocky hero cops Danson and Highsmith. The mismatched duo must look past their differences when they take on a high-profile investigation of shady capitalist David Ershon and attempt to fill the shoes of the notoriously reckless officers they idolize.
Working with a substantial budget of $100.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $170.4M in global revenue (+70% profit margin).
3 wins & 15 nominations
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 Other Guys (2010) demonstrates strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of Adam McKay's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Detectives Danson and Highsmith leap from building to building in spectacular fashion, establishing the world of alpha cop heroes while desk detectives Allen Gamble and Terry Hoitz watch in awe from their paperwork-filled precinct.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Danson and Highsmith jump off a building "aiming for the bushes" with no bushes present, dying instantly. The precinct's hero cops are gone, creating a power vacuum and opportunity for other detectives to step up.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Allen and Terry actively choose to investigate David Ershon despite Captain Mauch's orders to drop it. They leave their desk world behind and commit to being real detectives pursuing a major case., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False victory: Allen and Terry crack the case, discovering Ershon's Ponzi scheme and connection to Lendl Global. They feel like real heroes and present their findings, but the stakes suddenly escalate when they realize how deep the conspiracy goes., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Allen and Terry hit rock bottom. Their case is taken away, their partnership dissolves, and they're humiliated at the precinct. Allen faces losing Sheila, and Terry confronts that he may never escape his Derek Jeter disgrace. Their dream of being heroes dies., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Allen and Terry reconcile and have a breakthrough: they don't need to be Danson and Highsmith. They can solve the case by being themselves—Allen's accounting skills and Terry's street smarts. They discover where Ershon will make his final move., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Other Guys'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 Other Guys against these established plot points, we can identify how Adam McKay utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Other Guys within the action genre.
Adam McKay's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Adam McKay films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Other Guys represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Adam McKay filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Adam McKay analyses, see The Big Short, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and Vice.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Detectives Danson and Highsmith leap from building to building in spectacular fashion, establishing the world of alpha cop heroes while desk detectives Allen Gamble and Terry Hoitz watch in awe from their paperwork-filled precinct.
Theme
Captain Gene Mauch tells the precinct: "You guys think you're going to be Danson and Highsmith, but you're not. You're the other guys." The film's central theme: accepting who you are and finding value in being ordinary.
Worldbuilding
Introduction of Allen Gamble (forensic accountant who loves his desk) and Terry Hoitz (disgraced detective who shot Derek Jeter). Their rivalry with Danson and Highsmith, the precinct dynamics, and Allen's mysterious beautiful wife Sheila are established.
Disruption
Danson and Highsmith jump off a building "aiming for the bushes" with no bushes present, dying instantly. The precinct's hero cops are gone, creating a power vacuum and opportunity for other detectives to step up.
Resistance
Terry desperately wants to take on a big case to redeem himself, while Allen resists leaving his desk. They debate pursuing a scaffolding permit violation by businessman David Ershon. Allen discovers irregularities suggesting something bigger.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Allen and Terry actively choose to investigate David Ershon despite Captain Mauch's orders to drop it. They leave their desk world behind and commit to being real detectives pursuing a major case.
Mirror World
Allen's relationship with his wife Sheila is explored more deeply. She represents acceptance and love for who someone really is (not who they pretend to be), mirroring the film's theme about embracing your true identity.
Premise
Allen and Terry play at being alpha cops, getting into shootouts, car chases, and pursuing leads on Ershon's financial crimes. Comic set pieces include the Prius chase, the "gator" case, and revelations about Allen's past as "Gator the Pimp."
Midpoint
False victory: Allen and Terry crack the case, discovering Ershon's Ponzi scheme and connection to Lendl Global. They feel like real heroes and present their findings, but the stakes suddenly escalate when they realize how deep the conspiracy goes.
Opposition
Dirty cops and mercenaries close in. Allen and Terry are attacked, their case is undermined, and they're taken off the investigation. Their flaws surface: Allen's passivity and Terry's anger issues cause them to fight and separate.
Collapse
Allen and Terry hit rock bottom. Their case is taken away, their partnership dissolves, and they're humiliated at the precinct. Allen faces losing Sheila, and Terry confronts that he may never escape his Derek Jeter disgrace. Their dream of being heroes dies.
Crisis
Allen and Terry process their failure separately. Dark night moments where each contemplates giving up. Allen nearly loses everything trying to be someone he's not, while Terry realizes anger won't redeem him.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Allen and Terry reconcile and have a breakthrough: they don't need to be Danson and Highsmith. They can solve the case by being themselves—Allen's accounting skills and Terry's street smarts. They discover where Ershon will make his final move.
Synthesis
Final confrontation at the yacht club. Allen and Terry use their unique skills (not alpha cop tactics) to expose the conspiracy, stop Ershon, and take down the corrupt officials. Teamwork and being true to themselves leads to success.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening: Allen and Terry are back at their desks, but now comfortable and confident as "the other guys." They're heroes in their own right, not trying to be someone else. The precinct respects them, and they respect themselves.