The Rhythm Section
When she discovers the plane crash that claimed the lives of her family was no accident, Stephanie Patrick enters the dark, complex world of international espionage seeking vengeance. With nothing left to lose, Stephanie transforms from victim to assassin and discovers that neither revenge nor the truth are what they appear.
The film commercial failure against its respectable budget of $50.0M, earning $6.0M globally (-88% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its fresh perspective within the action 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 Rhythm Section (2020) showcases strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Reed Morano's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 49 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Stephanie Patrick works as a prostitute in a decrepit London apartment, a shell of her former self. She is strung out, broken, and completely degraded—the "before" state showing how far she has fallen after her family died in a plane crash three years ago.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Proctor is murdered before he can give Stephanie all the information about who bombed the plane. His death leaves Stephanie with a fragment of intel—a name, "B"—and the knowledge that her family's death was preventable murder, not an accident. The truth disrupts her numb existence.. 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 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Stephanie's first assassination attempt in Madrid goes disastrously wrong. She fails to kill her target cleanly, leading to a chaotic car chase where she crashes and causes multiple casualties. The false victory of "becoming an assassin" is revealed as false—she's not ready, and her actions have deadly consequences. The stakes raise dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 81 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Boyd is killed while trying to protect Stephanie from the consequences of her actions. His death is the "whiff of death"—her mentor and the person representing her potential transformation is gone. Stephanie is left alone, having lost the one person guiding her toward purpose beyond mere revenge., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Stephanie executes her plan to infiltrate and eliminate Reza and the terrorist mastermind behind the plane bombing. She uses everything Boyd taught her, maintaining control and precision. The finale involves confronting the man responsible for her family's death and choosing how to end the cycle of violence., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Rhythm Section's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Rhythm Section against these established plot points, we can identify how Reed Morano utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Rhythm Section within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Stephanie Patrick works as a prostitute in a decrepit London apartment, a shell of her former self. She is strung out, broken, and completely degraded—the "before" state showing how far she has fallen after her family died in a plane crash three years ago.
Theme
Journalist Proctor tells Stephanie: "You can't outrun your past, but you can turn it into something else." This encapsulates the film's central theme about transforming trauma and grief into purpose and action rather than being consumed by it.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Stephanie's degraded life as a prostitute, flashbacks revealing her family's death in flight NE027, introduction of journalist Proctor who reveals the crash was actually a bombing, not an accident. We see Stephanie's world of addiction, self-harm, and complete loss of identity.
Disruption
Proctor is murdered before he can give Stephanie all the information about who bombed the plane. His death leaves Stephanie with a fragment of intel—a name, "B"—and the knowledge that her family's death was preventable murder, not an accident. The truth disrupts her numb existence.
Resistance
Stephanie tracks down "B" (Boyd), a former MI6 agent living in Scotland. He initially rejects her, but she persists. Boyd becomes her reluctant mentor, explaining the world of intelligence and assassination. Stephanie debates whether she can truly become someone capable of revenge, resisting the transformation required.
Act II
ConfrontationMirror World
Boyd becomes the mirror world character who will teach Stephanie what she needs: discipline, control, and the "rhythm section" concept—treating her heart and mind like instruments in an orchestra. Their mentor-student relationship embodies the theme of transformation through structure and purpose.
Premise
Stephanie trains and takes on her first missions. She learns tradecraft, assumes the identity of a dead assassin (Lisa), travels to Tangier and Madrid pursuing leads. This is the "promise of the premise"—watching an amateur become an operative, exploring the dangerous world of international espionage and contract killing.
Midpoint
Stephanie's first assassination attempt in Madrid goes disastrously wrong. She fails to kill her target cleanly, leading to a chaotic car chase where she crashes and causes multiple casualties. The false victory of "becoming an assassin" is revealed as false—she's not ready, and her actions have deadly consequences. The stakes raise dramatically.
Opposition
Stephanie is hunted after the Madrid disaster. Boyd is furious and distances himself. She pursues the next link in the conspiracy—Reza, an information broker in Tangier—while being tracked by intelligence services and assassins. Her flaws and inexperience catch up with her as enemies close in from all sides.
Collapse
Boyd is killed while trying to protect Stephanie from the consequences of her actions. His death is the "whiff of death"—her mentor and the person representing her potential transformation is gone. Stephanie is left alone, having lost the one person guiding her toward purpose beyond mere revenge.
Crisis
Stephanie processes Boyd's death and confronts her darkest moment. She must decide whether to continue the mission or surrender to grief again. This is her dark night of the soul—without Boyd, she faces the question of who she really is and what she's truly fighting for.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Stephanie executes her plan to infiltrate and eliminate Reza and the terrorist mastermind behind the plane bombing. She uses everything Boyd taught her, maintaining control and precision. The finale involves confronting the man responsible for her family's death and choosing how to end the cycle of violence.