The Raid
Blizzard Entertainment's critically-acclaimed 'World of Warcraft' is a virtual home to over twelve million subscribers. 'The Raid' follows a group of nine gamers as they find adventure, challenge, and community inside Azeroth. Hear from them the reasons why they devote their time and resources into pursuing this complex, collaborative, and communal experience.
Despite its modest budget of $1.1M, The Raid became a commercial juggernaut, earning $9.1M worldwide—a remarkable 732% return. The film's compelling narrative attracted moviegoers, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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 Raid (2012) reveals meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Gareth Evans's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 41 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Rama performs his morning prayer and martial arts training, then tenderly says goodbye to his pregnant wife. A dedicated man of faith and discipline preparing for duty.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when A child spotter sees the SWAT team entering the building and alerts Tama. The element of surprise is lost, transforming a tactical raid into a death trap.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to The team is ambushed and decimated by gunfire from all sides. With most officers dead and retreat impossible, Rama makes the choice to push forward into the building rather than die in the stairwell., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Lieutenant Wahyu is revealed as corrupt—he organized this unsanctioned raid to kill Tama and cover his own crimes. The mission was never about justice; Rama and his team were expendable pawns., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 76 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Sergeant Jaka is killed by Mad Dog after a vicious fight. Tama discovers Andi's betrayal and orders his execution. Both Rama's mission leader and his brother face death—everything has fallen apart., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Rama chooses to abandon escape and return to save Andi. No longer fighting for the mission or survival alone—he fights for his brother. Duty yields to family., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Raid's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Raid against these established plot points, we can identify how Gareth Evans utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Raid within the documentary genre.
Gareth Evans's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Gareth Evans films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Raid represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Gareth Evans filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional documentary films include Black Butterflies, Bambi: A Tale of Life in the Woods and Eternal You. For more Gareth Evans analyses, see The Raid 2.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Rama performs his morning prayer and martial arts training, then tenderly says goodbye to his pregnant wife. A dedicated man of faith and discipline preparing for duty.
Theme
Rama's father tells him to bring his brother Andi home, establishing that family loyalty transcends everything—even the law Rama serves.
Worldbuilding
The SWAT team assembles and receives briefing on the mission: raid a 15-story building controlled by crime lord Tama. The team learns this is an off-the-books operation with no backup coming.
Disruption
A child spotter sees the SWAT team entering the building and alerts Tama. The element of surprise is lost, transforming a tactical raid into a death trap.
Resistance
The team advances floor by floor, eliminating threats. Sergeant Jaka leads while Rama proves himself capable. Tama announces a bounty on the officers, turning every resident into an enemy.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The team is ambushed and decimated by gunfire from all sides. With most officers dead and retreat impossible, Rama makes the choice to push forward into the building rather than die in the stairwell.
Mirror World
Rama encounters Andi, his brother who has become Tama's right-hand man. Andi hides Rama in a wall, protecting him despite serving the enemy—the theme of brotherhood made flesh.
Premise
Pure survival action as Rama fights through floors of armed thugs. Machete battles in hallways, brutal hand-to-hand combat, and desperate escapes showcase Rama's silat skills against overwhelming odds.
Midpoint
Lieutenant Wahyu is revealed as corrupt—he organized this unsanctioned raid to kill Tama and cover his own crimes. The mission was never about justice; Rama and his team were expendable pawns.
Opposition
Tama tightens his grip, hunting the survivors. Mad Dog executes Jaka in brutal hand-to-hand combat. Andi's loyalty is questioned by Tama. The net closes around Rama from all directions.
Collapse
Sergeant Jaka is killed by Mad Dog after a vicious fight. Tama discovers Andi's betrayal and orders his execution. Both Rama's mission leader and his brother face death—everything has fallen apart.
Crisis
Rama is alone, wounded, with his brother captured and facing execution. The corrupt Wahyu has gone rogue. The mission is in ruins and survival seems impossible.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Rama chooses to abandon escape and return to save Andi. No longer fighting for the mission or survival alone—he fights for his brother. Duty yields to family.
Synthesis
Rama and Andi unite against Mad Dog in an epic two-on-one fight, combining their skills as brothers. Wahyu kills Tama. The brothers defeat Mad Dog together and take Wahyu into custody as proof of corruption.
Transformation
Rama and Andi walk out of the building together—battered, bloody, but alive. The solitary warrior who entered now leaves with his brother beside him. Family reclaimed through fire.