Screenplay data
When patriarch Beverly Weston disappears, his three daughters, Barbara, Ivy, and Karen, return to their Oklahoma home to support their pill-addicted, cancer-stricken mother, Violet. The family reunion quickly devolves into a series of bitter arguments and revelations, exacerbated by Beverly's confirmed suicide and Violet's cruel, drug-fueled honesty. As long-held secrets surface, including Ivy's incestuous relationship with her cousin Little Charles and the truth about Beverly's death, the family fractures further. Barbara, unable to reconcile with her estranged husband Bill or control her mother, ultimately leaves, while Violet is left alone with her Native American housekeeper, Johnna, in the decaying family home.
Save the Cat beat sheet
The Weston family reunites at their Oklahoma home after Beverly’s mysterious disappearance and death, exposing long-buried resentments and alliances.
Open full beat sheetBarbara Fordham is listed as Daughter. Late forties, estranged from her husband, mother of Jean. In the parsed data, Barbara Fordham is connected to 49 scenes, 179 dialogue lines, 179 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
49 scenes / 179 dialogue linesBill Fordham is listed as Son-in-law. Barbara's estranged husband. In the parsed data, Bill Fordham is connected to 31 scenes, 44 dialogue lines, 44 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
31 scenes / 44 dialogue linesIvy Weston is listed as Daughter. Forties, shy and soft-spoken, librarian. In the parsed data, Ivy Weston is connected to 28 scenes, 58 dialogue lines, 58 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
28 scenes / 58 dialogue linesViolet Weston is listed as Matriarch. Late sixties, dissipated, dishevelled, suffers from mouth cancer and pill addiction. In the parsed data, Violet Weston is connected to 27 scenes, 94 dialogue lines, 94 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
27 scenes / 94 dialogue linesJean Fordham is listed as Granddaughter. Fourteen, precocious, daughter of Barbara and Bill. In the parsed data, Jean Fordham is connected to 25 scenes, 41 dialogue lines, 41 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
25 scenes / 41 dialogue linesJohnna is listed as Housekeeper. Thirty, Native American, Cheyenne, simply dressed. In the parsed data, Johnna is connected to 24 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 21 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
24 scenes / 11 dialogue linesKaren Weston is listed as Daughter. Forty, lithe, lives in Florida. In the parsed data, Karen Weston is connected to 19 scenes, 26 dialogue lines, 26 text mentions, first appearing around scene 33.
19 scenes / 26 dialogue linesSteve Heidebrecht is listed as Karen's Fiance. Fifty, greying, athletic, tan and handsome. In the parsed data, Steve Heidebrecht is connected to 14 scenes, 41 dialogue lines, 41 text mentions, first appearing around scene 37.
14 scenes / 41 dialogue linesMattie Fae Aiken is listed as Aunt. Sixty-one, Violet's baby sister, larger than life. In the parsed data, Mattie Fae Aiken is connected to 11 scenes, 34 dialogue lines, 34 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
11 scenes / 34 dialogue linesCharlie Aiken is listed as Uncle. Mattie Fae's husband, easy-going, upholstery business. In the parsed data, Charlie Aiken is connected to 10 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
10 scenes / 11 dialogue linesLittle Charles is listed as Cousin. Thirty-seven, rangy and awkward, son of Mattie Fae and Charlie. In the parsed data, Little Charles is connected to 6 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 26 text mentions, first appearing around scene 41.
6 scenes / 11 dialogue linesBeverly Weston is listed as Patriarch. A craggy, wise and deeply sad Okie, former teacher and poet. In the parsed data, Beverly Weston is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 1.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesBeverly talks to Johnna about his marriage and his decision to hire her, while Violet wanders in, confused and medicated.
Beverly Weston, Violet Weston, JohnnaBarbara receives a phone call from Ivy about her father's disappearance.
Barbara Fordham, Jean FordhamIvy arrives at the house and talks to Violet about Beverly's disappearance.
Violet Weston, Ivy WestonMattie Fae and Charlie arrive at the house.
Violet Weston, Ivy Weston, Mattie Fae Aiken, Charlie AikenViolet receives news that Beverly's boat is missing.
Violet Weston, Ivy Weston, Mattie Fae AikenBarbara, Bill, and Jean arrive at the house.
Barbara Fordham, Jean Fordham, Bill FordhamCharlie and Mattie Fae argue while waiting for Barbara and Bill to arrive. Barbara and Bill arrive and are greeted by the family. Violet appears, disoriented, and they discuss Beverly's disappearance.
Beverly Weston, Violet Weston, Johnna, Barbara Fordham, Ivy Weston, Mattie Fae AikenJean meets Johnna by the fence and learns about her Cheyenne heritage.
Jean Fordham, JohnnaBarbara and Bill question Violet about the timeline of Beverly's disappearance.
Barbara Fordham, Bill Fordham, Violet Weston, JohnnaThe conversation continues in the kitchen regarding Johnna's presence and family tensions.
Violet Weston, Barbara Fordham, Bill Fordham, Ivy Weston, JohnnaBarbara confronts Violet about her pill usage and pain.
Barbara Fordham, Violet WestonJean visits Johnna in the attic and they smoke marijuana.
Jean Fordham, JohnnaBill explores Beverly's study.
Bill FordhamBarbara and Bill argue about Beverly's book and their marriage.
Barbara Fordham, Bill FordhamJean listens to her parents arguing from her room.
Jean FordhamBarbara and Bill have a heated argument about their relationship and the current family crisis.
Barbara Fordham, Bill FordhamJean waits for her parents to return to bed.
Jean FordhamBeverly prepares to go out on the lake in a rowboat.
Beverly WestonJohnna wakes up suddenly.
JohnnaJohnna sees a police car arriving.
JohnnaJohnna lets the sheriff in.
JohnnaBarbara and Bill are informed of the situation by the sheriff.
Violet Weston, Barbara Fordham, Jean Fordham, Bill FordhamJohnna makes coffee.
JohnnaThe sheriff informs Bill that Beverly drowned.
Bill FordhamBarbara prepares to leave.
Barbara Fordham, Jean FordhamViolet is disoriented and high while the sheriff waits.
Violet Weston, Johnna, Barbara Fordham, Jean Fordham, Bill FordhamThe family drives to the lake.
Barbara Fordham, Jean Fordham, Ivy Weston, Bill FordhamBarbara tells Jean about her past with the sheriff.
Barbara Fordham, Jean Fordham, Ivy Weston, Bill FordhamBeverly's body is prepared.
The family leaves for the funeral.
Violet Weston, Barbara Fordham, Jean Fordham, Ivy Weston, Bill FordhamThe family drives to the church.
Violet Weston, Barbara Fordham, Jean Fordham, Ivy Weston, Bill FordhamThe family arrives at the church and meets Karen and Steve.
Violet Weston, Barbara Fordham, Jean Fordham, Ivy Weston, Mattie Fae Aiken, Charlie AikenKaren talks to Barbara about her life and relationships.
Barbara Fordham, Karen WestonBarbara and Karen go upstairs.
Barbara Fordham, Karen WestonViolet, Mattie Fae, and Ivy go through Violet's clothes.
Violet Weston, Ivy Weston, Mattie Fae AikenBarbara and Karen talk in the kitchen.
Johnna, Barbara Fordham, Karen WestonSteve talks to Jean while Bill is inside.
Jean Fordham, Bill Fordham, Steve HeidebrechtThe family returns home.
Jean Fordham, Bill Fordham, Steve HeidebrechtBill and Steve arrive at the house with wine; Charlie leaves to pick up Little Charles.
Bill Fordham, Steve Heidebrecht, Jean Fordham, Charlie AikenBarbara confronts Jean about watching TV; Steve and Karen share a moment.
Barbara Fordham, Bill Fordham, Steve Heidebrecht, Jean Fordham, Mattie Fae Aiken, Karen WestonCharlie picks up Little Charles, who is distraught about missing the funeral.
Charlie Aiken, Little CharlesBarbara and Bill argue about parenting and their relationship.
Barbara Fordham, Bill FordhamThe argument between Barbara and Bill continues.
Barbara Fordham, Bill FordhamBarbara and Bill return to the house while continuing their argument.
Barbara Fordham, Bill FordhamViolet reflects on Beverly and takes pills.
Violet WestonThe family gathers for dinner; Little Charles arrives.
Johnna, Karen Weston, Steve Heidebrecht, Mattie Fae Aiken, Charlie Aiken, Bill FordhamIvy and Little Charles share a private moment.
Ivy Weston, Little CharlesThe family eats dinner; Violet makes cutting remarks.
Barbara Fordham, Bill Fordham, Mattie Fae Aiken, Charlie Aiken, Karen Weston, Steve HeidebrechtCharlie has a strange episode at the dinner table, followed by Violet confronting her daughters about the will and their lives.
Beverly Weston, Violet Weston, Johnna, Barbara Fordham, Jean Fordham, Ivy WestonThe struggle continues into the living room; Barbara takes control of the house.
Violet Weston, Barbara Fordham, Bill Fordham, Ivy Weston, Mattie Fae Aiken, Charlie AikenBarbara, Ivy, and Karen search the house for Violet's hidden pills.
Barbara Fordham, Ivy Weston, Karen WestonThe sisters check on a comatose Violet.
Violet Weston, Barbara Fordham, Ivy Weston, Karen WestonThe sisters drink wine and discuss their mother, their lives, and Ivy's secret.
Barbara Fordham, Ivy Weston, Karen WestonViolet joins her daughters on the swing and tells a story about her childhood.
Violet Weston, Barbara Fordham, Ivy Weston, Karen WestonBarbara wakes up and finds Bill sleeping beside her.
Barbara Fordham, Bill FordhamBarbara reflects on her father's last words while drinking coffee.
Barbara Fordham, JohnnaBarbara and Johnna discuss the state of the world and the late Beverly Weston.
Barbara Fordham, JohnnaBarbara confronts Dr. Burke about his diagnosis of Violet.
Barbara Fordham, Ivy Weston, Violet Weston, Karen WestonViolet runs into the prairie; Barbara chases her.
Barbara Fordham, Violet Weston, Ivy Weston, Karen WestonBarbara and Violet reach a truce regarding the pills.
Barbara Fordham, Violet Weston, Karen WestonLittle Charles and Ivy share a moment; Mattie Fae reveals a secret to Barbara.
Ivy Weston, Little Charles, Karen Weston, Mattie Fae Aiken, Charlie Aiken, Barbara FordhamJean and Steve smoke marijuana.
Jean Fordham, Steve HeidebrechtJohnna wakes up.
JohnnaJohnna investigates the noise.
JohnnaJohnna attacks Steve after catching him with Jean.
Johnna, Jean Fordham, Steve Heidebrecht, Karen Weston, Bill Fordham, Barbara FordhamKaren prepares to leave with Steve.
Karen Weston, Barbara FordhamKaren and Steve leave; Bill tells Barbara he is taking Jean.
Karen Weston, Steve Heidebrecht, Barbara Fordham, Bill FordhamBarbara and Bill have a final, tense conversation about their relationship and their daughter Jean before Bill leaves.
Barbara Fordham, Bill FordhamBill and Jean leave in a rental car. Ivy arrives and confronts Barbara about the family's state.
Barbara Fordham, Ivy Weston, Bill Fordham, Jean FordhamBarbara and Ivy argue about Ivy's relationship with Little Charles while Johnna cooks.
Barbara Fordham, Ivy Weston, JohnnaA chaotic confrontation occurs between Barbara, Ivy, and Violet regarding the family secrets and the catfish lunch.
Barbara Fordham, Ivy Weston, Violet Weston, JohnnaBarbara pursues Ivy as she runs from the house.
Barbara Fordham, Ivy WestonIvy drives away, leaving Barbara behind.
Barbara Fordham, Ivy WestonBarbara confronts Violet about Beverly's suicide and the family secrets.
Barbara Fordham, Violet WestonBarbara drives away as a storm approaches.
Barbara FordhamViolet crawls up the stairs, comforted by Johnna.
Violet Weston, JohnnaBarbara pulls over, finding relief and uncertainty.
Barbara FordhamLast time I spoke with my father, we talked about the state of the world, and he said, "You know, this country was always pretty much a whorehouse, but at least it used to have some promise. Now it's just a shithole." I think maybe he was talking about something else, something more specific, personal... this house? This family? His marriage? Himself? There was something sad in his voice-- not sad, he always sounded sad -- hopeless. As if it had already happened. As if whatever was disappearing had already disappeared. And no one saw it go. This country, this experiment, America, this hubris: what a lament, if no one saw it go.
You had better not say anything about my family right now. I mean it. We buried a man yesterday I loved very much. And whatever faults he may have had, he was a good, kind, decent person. And to hear you tear into your own son not even a day later dishonors Beverly's memory. We've been married thirty-eight years. I wouldn't trade them for anything. But if you can't find a generous place in your heart for your own son, we're not going to make it to thirty-nine.
I wasn't drunk, no. Maybe it's hard for you to believe, looking at me, knowing me the way you do, all these years. I know to you, I'm just your old fat Aunt Mattie Fae. I'm more than that, sweetheart, there's more to me than that. I don't know why Little Charles is such a disappointment to me. Maybe he, well, I don't know why. I'm disappointed for him, more than anything. I made a mistake, a long time ago. Okay? I paid for it. But the mistake ends here.
You better find out from Jean exactly what went on before you start pointing fingers. Cause I doubt Jean's blameless in all this. And I'm not blaming her, just cause I said she's not blameless doesn't mean I've blamed her. I'm saying she might share in the responsibility. It's not cut and dried, black and white, good and bad. It lives where everything lives: somewhere in the middle. Where the rest of us live, everyone but you.
All this shit's going. I don't plan to spend the rest of my days looking at what used to be. I want that shit in the office gone, I want these clothes I'm never going to wear gone. I mean look at these fucking shoes -- Even if I didn't fall on my face, can you imagine anything less attractive, my swollen ankles and varicose veins? And my toenails, good God: anymore they could dig through cement.
He's not perfect. Just like the rest of us, down here in the muck. I'm no angel myself. I've done some things I'm not proud of. Things you'll never know about. I may even have to do some things I'm not proud of again. Cause sometimes life puts you in a corner that way. And I am a human being, after all. Anyway. You have your own hash to settle. Before you start making speeches to the rest of us.
He did this though, not us. Can you imagine anything more cruel, to make me responsible? Just to weaken me, make me prove my character? So I waited, to get my hands on that safety deposit box. But I would have waited anyway. You want to show who's stronger, Bev? Nobody's stronger than me, goddamn it. When nothing is left, when everything is gone and disappeared, I'll be here.
That's exactly what I mean. You take it as it comes, here and now! Steve had a huge presentation today for some big-wig government guys who could be important for his business, something he's put together for months, and as soon as we heard about Daddy, he cancelled his meeting. He has his priorities straight. And you know what the kicker is? Do you know what the kicker --?
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