The Spacewalker
March 1965. In the heat of the Cold War, the USA and the USSR are competing for supremacy in space. What both superpowers aim for in this race, is to be the first to have a man walk in outer space. To accomplish that, no price is too high and no risk is too great. Now it’s up to the unlikely duo of a seasoned war veteran and a hot-headed test-pilot to fulfill this mission. Two men in a tiny spaceship, without proper testing, facing the complete unknown. They were supposed to do what no man has done before—and no man imagined what would happen next.
Working with a limited budget of $7.1M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $9.9M in global revenue (+39% 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 Spacewalker (2017) showcases deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Dmitry Kiselev's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 20 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.5, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Leonov and Belyayev training as cosmonauts in the Soviet space program, living relatively normal lives with their families while preparing for potential missions.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 17 minutes when Leonov and Belyayev are officially selected for the Voskhod 2 mission - the first-ever spacewalk attempt. The mission is rushed due to intelligence that Americans are planning their own spacewalk soon.. 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 36 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Leonov and Belyayev board the Voskhod 2 spacecraft and launch into orbit. They actively choose to commit to the mission despite knowing the untested technology could kill them. No turning back now., moving from reaction to action.
At 70 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False defeat: Leonov's spacesuit has inflated in the vacuum and he cannot fit back through the airlock. What seemed like a triumph (successful spacewalk) is now a death sentence. The stakes raise dramatically - he's running out of air and time., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 104 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The automatic re-entry system completely fails. The cosmonauts face certain death if they cannot manually land the spacecraft - something never successfully done before. They are utterly alone, cut off from ground control, hurtling toward Earth with no way to control their landing. All seems lost., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 112 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Belyayev and Leonov synthesize their training, trust in each other, and technical knowledge to attempt the manual landing. They receive crucial calculations from ground control. They now have the information and resolve needed to attempt the impossible. They make the active choice to try., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Spacewalker's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Spacewalker against these established plot points, we can identify how Dmitry Kiselev utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Spacewalker within the adventure genre.
Dmitry Kiselev's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Dmitry Kiselev films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Spacewalker represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Dmitry Kiselev filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more Dmitry Kiselev analyses, see Black Lightning.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Leonov and Belyayev training as cosmonauts in the Soviet space program, living relatively normal lives with their families while preparing for potential missions.
Theme
Chief Designer Korolev or a senior official states the theme about courage, sacrifice, and pushing human boundaries: "We must be first, no matter the cost." The tension between human life and national glory.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the Soviet space program, the intense rivalry with America, the political pressure to achieve the first spacewalk, character relationships, technical challenges, and the dangerous nature of the mission. Introduction of key engineers and cosmonauts.
Disruption
Leonov and Belyayev are officially selected for the Voskhod 2 mission - the first-ever spacewalk attempt. The mission is rushed due to intelligence that Americans are planning their own spacewalk soon.
Resistance
Intensive preparation and training for the spacewalk. Engineers struggle with technical problems. Leonov grapples with fear and doubt. Korolev mentors the cosmonauts. The crew debates the risks. Family farewells. Growing awareness of just how dangerous this mission will be.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Leonov and Belyayev board the Voskhod 2 spacecraft and launch into orbit. They actively choose to commit to the mission despite knowing the untested technology could kill them. No turning back now.
Mirror World
Leonov and Belyayev's partnership deepens in orbit. Their relationship represents trust, brotherhood, and mutual dependence - the human connection that will save them. Belyayev serves as Leonov's anchor and voice of reason.
Premise
The "fun and games" of space exploration - the beauty and wonder of orbit, preparation for the spacewalk, Leonov's exit from the spacecraft, the historic first spacewalk itself. Leonov floats in space, experiencing the sublime wonder of seeing Earth from outside a spacecraft. This is what the audience came for.
Midpoint
False defeat: Leonov's spacesuit has inflated in the vacuum and he cannot fit back through the airlock. What seemed like a triumph (successful spacewalk) is now a death sentence. The stakes raise dramatically - he's running out of air and time.
Opposition
Leonov struggles to re-enter the spacecraft as oxygen depletes. He makes the dangerous decision to decompress his suit. After barely making it inside, new problems emerge: the automatic landing system fails, the spacecraft is overheating, navigation is compromised. Every solution creates a new problem. Opposition intensifies relentlessly.
Collapse
The automatic re-entry system completely fails. The cosmonauts face certain death if they cannot manually land the spacecraft - something never successfully done before. They are utterly alone, cut off from ground control, hurtling toward Earth with no way to control their landing. All seems lost.
Crisis
Leonov and Belyayev face their dark night of the soul, knowing they will likely die. They reflect on their families, their choices, what their sacrifice means. Ground control and their families brace for tragedy. The cosmonauts find resolve to try the impossible manual re-entry.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Belyayev and Leonov synthesize their training, trust in each other, and technical knowledge to attempt the manual landing. They receive crucial calculations from ground control. They now have the information and resolve needed to attempt the impossible. They make the active choice to try.
Synthesis
The finale: Belyayev and Leonov execute the manual re-entry, fighting to control the spacecraft through re-entry burn. They land thousands of kilometers off course in the frozen Ural wilderness. They survive two nights in harsh conditions, using their training and will to live. Rescue teams search. Finally, they are located and extracted. Heroes return home.
Transformation
Closing image mirrors the opening but shows transformation: Leonov reunited with his family, forever changed by his experience. He is no longer just a cosmonaut but a hero who faced death and survived, who pushed human boundaries. His face shows both trauma and pride. The cost of glory made flesh.