Save the Cat rankings

Affliction script analysis

Affliction script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Wade Whitehouse, a small‐town cop and single father, grapples with his failing marriage, his young daughter’s well‐being, and suspicions surrounding a friend’s hunting “accident.” As he uncovers rumors of conspiracy and faces betrayals by his employer and community, his personal life unravels. Ultimately, Wade’s quest for truth and justice turns violent, leading to tragic final confrontations.

85 Save the Cat fit score 8% analysis confidence / 85 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

5%

The voice-over and still-life tableaus of Lawford, N.H. establish the world’s tone and mood from the first scene.

Still-life tableaus. Lawford, N.H., a town of fifty buildings
2

Theme Stated

Scene 2 / Page 1 / 5% target

4%

Jill’s remark “Who’s fault is it then if it’s not yours?” points to themes of responsibility and blame.

JILL Who's fault is it then if it's not yours? You're the one in charge, Daddy.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 2-5 / Pages 1-5 / 10% target

6%

We meet Wade at home, see his strained relationship with Jill, his cop duties, and the town’s dynamics.

4

Catalyst

Scene 10 / Pages 5-6 / 12% target

5%

Wade’s ex takes Jill away after a public confrontation, forcing him to confront his custody crisis.

WADE Me and Jill, we just had a little spat. She felt kind of left out, I guess,...
5

Debate

Scenes 11-16 / Pages 6-10 / 20% target

5%

Wade questions how to handle work, weather, and the ex in calls with the principal and Twombley’s hunting job, doubting his next steps.

6

Break into Two

Scene 18 / Page 10 / 25% target

5%

He steps into LaRiviere Co.’s world, taking the grader and entering a new phase of unofficial investigations.

LARIVIERE Told you the snow was coming down. Take the grader.
7

B Story

Scene 21 / Page 11 / 30% target

5%

Wade’s conversation with Margie at Toby’s Inn introduces a potential love interest and emotional anchor.

8

Fun and Games

Scenes 30-34 / Pages 15-17 / 40% target

6%

Wade’s on-site questioning of Jack and his black-and-white theories of Twombley’s death provide the investigative intrigue.

JACK You heard the news.
9

Midpoint

Scene 43 / Page 20 / 50% target

5%

Wade’s dinner-bedroom scene with Margie where he proposes marriage shifts stakes from investigation to personal commitment.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 55 / Page 23 / 65% target

5%

LaRiviere’s public confrontation with Jack and implied collusion with Mel Gordon raise the antagonistic forces around Wade.

LARIVIERE Put out that fucking cigarette!
11

All Is Lost

Scene 72 / Page 29 / 75% target

5%

Wade is fired by Gordon LaRiviere, stripped of his badge and keys—his lowest professional point.

LARIVIERE Wade, you're done. Let me have the shop keys.
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 74 / Page 30 / 80% target

5%

Wade’s attempt to pull his own tooth in isolation marks his personal despair and loss of control.

WADE What do you mean, you can't take me today? I told you --
13

Break into Three

Scene 82 / Page 33 / 85% target

5%

Wade’s violent confrontation with his father and subsequent dark humor foreshadow his final, decisive actions.

WADE I know you now. I love you too.
14

Finale

Scenes 84-85 / Pages 34-35 / 95% target

6%

Wade ambushes and kills Jack on Parker Mountain, then disappears—resolving his quest but at tragic cost.

ROLFE (V.O.) It's how we keep from destroying in turn our own children and terrorizing the women who...
15

Final Image

Scene 85 / Page 35 / 99% target

5%

Rolfe’s voice-over over Wade’s unresolved fate and the town’s outcomes bookends the story with reflection.

ROLFE (V.O.) LaRiviere and Mel Gordon were indeed in business. The Parker Mountain Ski Resort is now advertised...