Save the Cat rankings

12 and Holding script analysis

12 and Holding script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

A group of 12-year-olds navigates bullying, family trauma, and grief after a prank escalates to tragedy. Each child faces a personal crisis—Jacob’s guilt over his brother’s death, Leonard’s obsession with health after surviving a fire, and Malee’s struggles with her fractured family life. They each find a path toward healing through new relationships and self-discovery. The ensemble arcs loosely hit major Save the Cat beats but often deviate in timing and thematic clarity.

15 Save the Cat fit score 12% analysis confidence / 161 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

10%

Title card establishes suburban world tone.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 8 / 5% target

10%

Yacco’s off-screen rant hints at themes of responsibility and family obligation.

YACCO (O.S.) The check is supposed to be here on the first of the month... She's your daughter,...
3

Set-Up

Scenes 2-7 / 10% target

10%

Establishes twins Rudy and Jacob, their home life, and early bullying conflict.

4

Catalyst

Scene 25 / 12% target

10%

Treehouse fire and Rudy’s death set the story into motion.

5

Debate

Scenes 31-33 / 20% target

10%

Families grapple with loss; each child questions how to move forward.

6

Break into Two

Scenes 44-45 / 25% target

10%

New school year begins, characters enter Act 2 worlds of coping apart from each other.

7

B Story

Scenes 53-54 / 30% target

10%

Malee’s friendship–romance with Gus emerges as emotional support subplot.

8

Fun and Games

Scenes 46-49 / 40% target

10%

Leonard’s gym struggles and Malee’s band solo showcase their individual challenges.

9

Midpoint

Scenes 58-60 / 50% target

10%

Jacob runs away to juvenile hall; Leonard’s health quest intensifies; stakes rise.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 67-68 / 65% target

10%

Malee obsesses over Gus’s trauma clues; parental and internal pressures mount.

11

All Is Lost

Scenes 82-83 / 75% target

10%

Gus’s suicide attempt followed by mother’s discovery of killer’s suicide deepen despair.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scenes 86-87 / 80% target

10%

Leonard trapped by family’s unhealthy habits; Malee’s identity crisis surfaces.

13

Break into Three

Scenes 103-104 / 85% target

10%

Leonard’s fitness payoff; Jacob reconnects with Kenny, signals turning point.

14

Finale

Scenes 127-133 / 95% target

10%

Leonard imprisons mother to force health; Malee’s cleaning seduction of Gus; chaotic resolutions.

15

Final Image

Scenes 160-161 / 99% target

10%

Jacob and Malee return to construction site, watching new foundation—cycle of loss and rebuilding.