What's the Worst That Could Happen?
Thief Kevin Caffery attempts to rob from the home of rich businessman Max Fairbanks. But Fairbanks catches him and steals his cherished ring that his girlfriend gave him. Caffery is then bent on revenge and getting his ring back with the help of his partners.
The film struggled financially against its mid-range budget of $60.0M, earning $38.4M globally (-36% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling within the comedy 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%)
What's the Worst That Could Happen? (2001) exemplifies deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Sam Weisman's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 34 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 Kevin Caffery, a charming thief, successfully pulls off an auction house heist with his crew, living his carefree life of crime with skill and confidence.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Kevin breaks into Max Fairbanks' beach house to steal a painting. Max catches Kevin and calls the police, but then steals Amber's ring from Kevin, claiming it as his own property.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Kevin makes the active choice to break into Fairbanks' properties to steal back the ring, launching a personal vendetta that will escalate into all-out war., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Kevin successfully steals millions in artwork and valuables from Fairbanks, appearing to gain the upper hand. False victory: Kevin thinks he's winning, but this escalation will provoke Fairbanks' full wrath., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 69 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Kevin is arrested and faces serious prison time. His crew abandons him, and Amber loses faith in his obsession. Kevin loses everything - his freedom, his crew, his love, all over a ring., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Kevin discovers evidence of Fairbanks' insurance fraud and realizes he can beat Fairbanks not through theft, but by using Fairbanks' own corruption against him. New synthesis: combine his skills with legitimate justice., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
What's the Worst That Could Happen?'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 What's the Worst That Could Happen? against these established plot points, we can identify how Sam Weisman utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish What's the Worst That Could Happen? within the comedy genre.
Sam Weisman's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Sam Weisman films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. What's the Worst That Could Happen? represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Sam Weisman filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Sam Weisman analyses, see George of the Jungle, D2: The Mighty Ducks and Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kevin Caffery, a charming thief, successfully pulls off an auction house heist with his crew, living his carefree life of crime with skill and confidence.
Theme
Amber tells Kevin that her father always said "luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity" - suggesting the theme about luck versus hard work and what truly defines success.
Worldbuilding
Kevin meets and falls for Amber Belhaven. We see his crew, his methods, and his world of high-end theft. Amber gives Kevin her father's lucky ring as a token of their budding relationship.
Disruption
Kevin breaks into Max Fairbanks' beach house to steal a painting. Max catches Kevin and calls the police, but then steals Amber's ring from Kevin, claiming it as his own property.
Resistance
Kevin tries legal means to get the ring back but fails. His lawyer and crew debate whether to go after Fairbanks. Kevin becomes obsessed with retrieving the ring, despite warnings about Fairbanks' power and resources.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Kevin makes the active choice to break into Fairbanks' properties to steal back the ring, launching a personal vendetta that will escalate into all-out war.
Mirror World
Kevin's relationship with Amber deepens as she supports his quest, representing the authentic love and genuine connection that contrasts with Fairbanks' materialistic values.
Premise
The fun escalating heist war: Kevin breaks into multiple Fairbanks properties, stealing valuables while searching for the ring. Each heist gets more elaborate and personal between the two men.
Midpoint
Kevin successfully steals millions in artwork and valuables from Fairbanks, appearing to gain the upper hand. False victory: Kevin thinks he's winning, but this escalation will provoke Fairbanks' full wrath.
Opposition
Fairbanks fights back ruthlessly, using his wealth and power. He frames Kevin, sabotages his operations, and gets Kevin arrested. The stakes escalate as Fairbanks proves to be a far more dangerous opponent.
Collapse
Kevin is arrested and faces serious prison time. His crew abandons him, and Amber loses faith in his obsession. Kevin loses everything - his freedom, his crew, his love, all over a ring.
Crisis
In jail, Kevin realizes his obsession has destroyed what truly mattered. He reflects on whether revenge and pride are worth losing genuine connection and his principles.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Kevin discovers evidence of Fairbanks' insurance fraud and realizes he can beat Fairbanks not through theft, but by using Fairbanks' own corruption against him. New synthesis: combine his skills with legitimate justice.
Synthesis
Kevin orchestrates an elaborate final con to expose Fairbanks' crimes to the authorities. The crew reunites for one last heist that will both retrieve the ring and bring Fairbanks to justice.
Transformation
Kevin gets the ring back and proposes to Amber, having learned that what matters isn't material victory but love and doing the right thing. He's transformed from selfish thief to someone who values connection over pride.