We Are Your Friends
Young Cole Carter dreams of hitting the big time as a Hollywood disc jockey, spending his days and nights hanging with buddies and working on the one track that will set the world on fire. Opportunity comes knocking when he meets James Reed, a charismatic DJ who takes the 23-year-old under his wing. Soon, his seemingly clear path to success gets complicated when he starts falling for his mentor's girlfriend, jeopardizing his new friendship and the future he seems destined to fulfill.
Working with a tight budget of $6.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $11.1M in global revenue (+85% 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%)
We Are Your Friends (2015) reveals meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Max Joseph's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 36 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Cole Carter DJs at a Hollywood Hills pool party with his crew, dreaming of making it big as an electronic music producer. He lives in the San Fernando Valley, hustling with friends to survive while pursuing his passion.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Cole meets James Reed, a famous DJ/producer who takes interest in his talent and offers to mentor him. This opens the door to the professional music world Cole has been chasing.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Cole makes the active choice to fully embrace James's mentorship, committing to the professional DJ world and leaving behind some of his old hustles. He enters the industry seriously., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False victory: Cole believes he's close to completing his breakthrough track and James promises him a spot at a major festival. Everything seems to be coming together professionally and romantically with Sophie., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 71 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Dustin dies in a tragic accident during the failed real estate scheme. Cole loses his best friend and everything falls apart - his crew fractures, his relationship with James implodes, and his dreams seem worthless., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 77 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Cole realizes he must honor Dustin by creating authentic music from the heart - combining the technical skills James taught him with genuine emotion and his unique voice. He sees what his track needs to be truly his., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
We Are Your Friends'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 We Are Your Friends against these established plot points, we can identify how Max Joseph utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish We Are Your Friends within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Cole Carter DJs at a Hollywood Hills pool party with his crew, dreaming of making it big as an electronic music producer. He lives in the San Fernando Valley, hustling with friends to survive while pursuing his passion.
Theme
James Reed, an established DJ, tells Cole: "Find your unique voice, that one track that's truly yours." The theme of authenticity versus commercial success in art is introduced.
Worldbuilding
Cole's world is established: his tight-knit crew (Ollie, Squirrel, Dustin), their hustles promoting parties and selling properties, his bedroom studio where he produces music, and his burning ambition to play a major festival.
Disruption
Cole meets James Reed, a famous DJ/producer who takes interest in his talent and offers to mentor him. This opens the door to the professional music world Cole has been chasing.
Resistance
Cole debates whether to fully commit to James's mentorship and the professional DJ path. He begins attending James's parties, learning about the industry, and gets closer to Sophie, James's girlfriend's assistant.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Cole makes the active choice to fully embrace James's mentorship, committing to the professional DJ world and leaving behind some of his old hustles. He enters the industry seriously.
Mirror World
Cole's relationship with Sophie deepens. She represents the authentic artistic path versus commercial success, challenging Cole to find his true voice rather than just copying what's popular.
Premise
Cole experiences the promise of the premise: working with James in the studio, learning production techniques, attending industry parties, developing his sound, and exploring his romance with Sophie. The DJ life he dreamed of.
Midpoint
False victory: Cole believes he's close to completing his breakthrough track and James promises him a spot at a major festival. Everything seems to be coming together professionally and romantically with Sophie.
Opposition
Complications mount: Cole's relationship with Sophie creates tension with James, his friends' real estate scheme goes sideways, and Cole begins to realize the compromises required for commercial success in the music industry.
Collapse
Dustin dies in a tragic accident during the failed real estate scheme. Cole loses his best friend and everything falls apart - his crew fractures, his relationship with James implodes, and his dreams seem worthless.
Crisis
Cole processes the devastating loss of Dustin, questioning everything about his choices, his dreams, and whether pursuing music is even meaningful. Dark night of grief and self-doubt.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Cole realizes he must honor Dustin by creating authentic music from the heart - combining the technical skills James taught him with genuine emotion and his unique voice. He sees what his track needs to be truly his.
Synthesis
Cole completes his original track infused with real emotion and authenticity, reconciles with his friends, and prepares for his breakthrough performance. He integrates James's lessons with his own authentic voice.
Transformation
Cole performs his authentic track at a major venue, fully himself as an artist. No longer the wannabe from the opening, he's found his voice and honors his friend's memory through genuine creative expression.