Under Siege
The battleship Missouri is about to be decomissioned. Casey Ryback is Captain Adam's personal cook. And Ryback is always butting heads with the ship's XO Commander Krill but the Captain always intercedes. One day, after the President visits the Missouri, which is also the Captain's birthday, the Captain learns that a helicopter has been cleared to land on the ship by Commander Krill, which he was not informed of. When questioned Krill tells the Captain that it's a surprise for his birthday, the Captain then allows it. Later after another one of their scuffles, Krill has Ryback locked in the freezer. During the party, the rock band reveals themselves to be mercenaries, led by William Stranix, a CIA operative, who is in league with Krill to unload all of the ship's nuclear warheads. They lock up all of the crew and make preparations to remove the warheads. And Krill remembers Ryback, Stranix sends two of his men to take care of Ryback, only thing is that Ryback took care of them. Upon discovering their bodies, Stranix deduces that Ryback is more than a cook. He then sends Krill to check on him, and Krill discovers that Ryback's a NAVY SEAL, who got busted down to a cook after an incident in Panama. And Ryback continues to create trouble for them, so Stranix tries to hunt him down. Along the way, Ryback meets Jordan, a former playmate, who was supposed to entertain at the party but was also forgotten.
Despite a mid-range budget of $35.0M, Under Siege became a box office success, earning $156.6M worldwide—a 347% return.
Nominated for 2 Oscars. 3 wins & 3 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%)
Under Siege (1992) showcases deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Andrew Davis's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Casey Ryback works as a cook aboard the USS Missouri, a skilled but seemingly ordinary ship's chef keeping to himself in the galley, his special forces past hidden from the crew.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when A helicopter arrives with entertainers for the Captain's party, but they are actually mercenaries led by William Strannix. They seize control of the ship and assassinate Captain Adams.. 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 shows the protagonist's commitment to Ryback makes the active choice to fight back. He arms himself from the ship's armory and begins his one-man war against the terrorists, fully embracing his warrior identity once again., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Strannix successfully launches the Tomahawk missiles loaded with nuclear warheads, revealing his plan to sell them to the highest bidder. The stakes escalate from ship takeover to global nuclear threat., 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 (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Ryback is captured and brought before Strannix. The villain has won - the missiles are away, the hero is caught, and the clock is ticking toward the Pentagon's deadline to destroy the ship with all aboard., illustrates 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. Ryback breaks free using his training and cunning. He realizes he must combine his warrior skills with his knowledge of the ship as a cook who knows every passage and system. He rallies for the final assault., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Under Siege's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Under Siege against these established plot points, we can identify how Andrew Davis utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Under Siege within the action genre.
Andrew Davis's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Andrew Davis films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Under Siege takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Andrew Davis filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Andrew Davis analyses, see Code of Silence, Holes and Chain Reaction.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Casey Ryback works as a cook aboard the USS Missouri, a skilled but seemingly ordinary ship's chef keeping to himself in the galley, his special forces past hidden from the crew.
Theme
Captain Adams tells Ryback "You're a cook, not a SEAL anymore" - establishing the theme of identity, duty, and whether a warrior can truly leave his nature behind.
Worldbuilding
The USS Missouri prepares for its final voyage before decommissioning. Ryback is established as a former Navy SEAL turned cook, tension exists with Commander Krill, and the Captain's birthday party is being planned.
Disruption
A helicopter arrives with entertainers for the Captain's party, but they are actually mercenaries led by William Strannix. They seize control of the ship and assassinate Captain Adams.
Resistance
Ryback is locked in the freezer after a confrontation with Krill. He escapes and discovers the takeover, initially attempting reconnaissance. He debates whether to engage or hide, gradually accepting he must act.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ryback makes the active choice to fight back. He arms himself from the ship's armory and begins his one-man war against the terrorists, fully embracing his warrior identity once again.
Mirror World
Ryback discovers and teams up with Jordan Tate, the Playboy Playmate who was unknowingly part of the cover. She represents the innocent civilian caught in military conflict and becomes his ally.
Premise
Ryback uses his SEAL training to pick off terrorists, sabotage their operations, and protect the remaining crew. The fun and games of a one-man army taking down bad guys room by room through the battleship.
Midpoint
Strannix successfully launches the Tomahawk missiles loaded with nuclear warheads, revealing his plan to sell them to the highest bidder. The stakes escalate from ship takeover to global nuclear threat.
Opposition
Strannix actively hunts Ryback, the terrorists tighten security, and the Pentagon prepares to sink the Missouri. The pressure intensifies from all sides as Ryback races against time to stop the missile sale.
Collapse
Ryback is captured and brought before Strannix. The villain has won - the missiles are away, the hero is caught, and the clock is ticking toward the Pentagon's deadline to destroy the ship with all aboard.
Crisis
Ryback appears defeated as Strannix gloats. The moment of darkness where the mission seems impossible and death is imminent for everyone on board.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Ryback breaks free using his training and cunning. He realizes he must combine his warrior skills with his knowledge of the ship as a cook who knows every passage and system. He rallies for the final assault.
Synthesis
Ryback leads the final assault on the bridge, defeats Krill and the remaining mercenaries, and confronts Strannix in a brutal hand-to-hand fight. He stops the missile transfer and saves the Missouri.
Transformation
Ryback stands on deck in his cook's uniform as the Missouri sails into Pearl Harbor to a hero's welcome. He has integrated both identities - the warrior and the cook - accepting who he truly is.