Save the Cat rankings

BAD DREAMS script analysis

BAD DREAMS script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Cynthia, a survivor of a cult fire, wakes from a long coma and struggles through psychiatric treatment plagued by hallucinations of her cult leader. As she bonds with her therapist Alan and reconnects with reality, her fear escalates when fellow patients die under mysterious circumstances. Ultimately Cynthia must confront her trauma and evade the manipulative psychiatrist Berrisford in a climactic rescue on the hospital’s exterior.

65 Save the Cat fit score 42% analysis confidence / 103 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

60%

Establishes Harris in the field at sunset, evoking the cult’s mystique and the otherworldly tone.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 3 / Page 1 / 5% target

55%

Cynthia’s reluctance in hiding hints at the theme of coercion versus autonomy.

No, please... I... I really don't want to do this... Can't I just wait for you..? I--I'm not...
3

Set-Up

Scenes 2-5 / Pages 1-3 / 10% target

50%

Introduces Unity House, Harris’s control over followers, Cynthia’s baptism, and the cult’s tragic climax.

4

Catalyst

Scene 6 / Page 3 / 12% target

60%

The explosion of Unity House destroys Cynthia’s world and propels her into a coma.

Cynthia, come back! We can't do it without you... We must have unity, my lovechild... Unity, now and...
5

Debate

Scene 9 / Page 4 / 20% target

58%

Cynthia wakes disoriented after years in a coma, questioning her reality and what to do next.

No... no... it's wrong... someone... please help...
6

Break into Two

Scenes 10-11 / Pages 4-5 / 25% target

62%

Cynthia is transferred to Berrisford’s clinic and begins therapy, marking her entry into Act Two.

7

B Story

Scenes 11-12 / Pages 5-6 / 30% target

57%

Introduction of Dr. Berrisford and group therapy session sets up the emotional support subplot between Cynthia and Alan.

8

Fun and Games

Scenes 12-18 / Pages 6-8 / 40% target

50%

Cynthia’s therapy, medication, and first hallucinations (elevator) provide the “promise of the premise” of her psychiatric journey.

9

Midpoint

Scenes 18-19 / Pages 8-9 / 50% target

65%

Hallucination of Harris in the elevator signals a false defeat as Cynthia believes her nightmare stalker is real again, raising the stakes.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 42-46 / Pages 13-15 / 65% target

60%

Cult visions during therapy and Lana’s hallucinated death escalate the threat from Harris and internal turmoil.

You failed me, Cynthia... You failed all of us...
11

All Is Lost

Scene 64 / Page 21 / 75% target

55%

Connie and Ed’s deaths in the turbine room represent the worst moment, confirming the clinic’s danger.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 68 / Page 22 / 80% target

58%

Cynthia’s isolation and Ralph’s bloody visit deepen her despair, making her feel powerless.

Nothing. I just came to tell you--Everything's gonna be okay.
13

Break into Three

Scenes 83-84 / Pages 27-28 / 85% target

52%

Cynthia returns to the ruins of Unity House, deciding to confront her trauma head-on and escape isolation.

Would you like to come in?
14

Finale

Scenes 96-100 / Pages 33-35 / 95% target

60%

Alan and Cynthia battle Berrisford in Cynthia’s room and on the hospital exterior, rescuing Cynthia in a tense climax.

No. Cynthia, please. I'm not going to be able to come back, but you have to listen! Berrisford's...
15

Final Image

Scene 103 / Page 36 / 99% target

62%

Harris reappears at the ruined Unity House, suggesting the cycle may continue and bookending the story.

A friend. You're upset.