Save the Cat rankings

BAD MOMS script analysis

BAD MOMS script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Overwhelmed suburban mom Amy Banks struggles to balance work, motherhood, and social expectations until she snaps and embraces a wild ‘bad moms’ lifestyle. Alongside new friends Carla and Kiki, she finds solidarity and empowerment through rebellion, leading her to redefine what it means to be a perfect parent. As her personal life unravels, she rallies other moms with honesty and humor to win the PTA election and reclaim her identity.

85 Save the Cat fit score 78% analysis confidence / 31 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

80%

Introduces the judgmental PTA moms as Carla’s beat-up car arrival shocks the clique, establishing the status quo of suburban perfectionism.

That woman is a fucking cancer.
2

Theme Stated

Scene 2 / Page 1 / 5% target

70%

Amy’s late arrival and awkward interaction with the other moms hint at her struggle to meet unrealistic expectations of ‘perfect’ motherhood.

3

Set-Up

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

85%

We see Amy’s overburdened life at work, discover her husband’s betrayal, and witness her public meltdown at the PTA meeting—all stakes and relationships are established.

4

Catalyst

Scene 4 / Page 2 / 12% target

90%

Amy catches her husband cheating via Skype and angrily kicks him out, jolting her into rejecting her old life.

Get the fuck out of my house Mike.
5

Debate

Scenes 5-6 / Pages 2-3 / 20% target

88%

Amy debates staying in the status quo after quitting the PTA, then is tempted by Carla and Kiki’s offer to embrace ‘bad mom’ freedom over drinks.

6

Break into Two

Scene 6 / Page 3 / 25% target

90%

Amy commits to the new world when she and her friends decide to shed their perfectionism and act like bad moms.

7

B Story

Scene 20 / Page 7 / 30% target

65%

Amy’s budding romance with Jessie offers a personal subplot contrasting her chaotic parenting journey.

8

Fun and Games

Scenes 7-12 / Pages 3-5 / 40% target

87%

Amy, Carla, and Kiki indulge in hangover mornings, supermarket rampages, and liberated mornings not making meals—playing out the ‘bad mom’ fantasy.

9

Midpoint

Scene 19 / Page 7 / 50% target

88%

The home party victory, where Amy’s candid speech draws moms away from Gwendolyn, marks a false win and heightens her confidence.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 21-23 / Pages 7-8 / 65% target

90%

Consequences mount: Amy’s failing marriage leads to divorce decisions, she loses her job, and her daughter is banned from soccer—external forces tighten.

11

All Is Lost

Scene 24 / Page 8 / 75% target

92%

Amy’s kids move to their father’s house, symbolizing her worst fear of family breakdown realized.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 25 / Page 8 / 80% target

85%

Alone and defeated, Amy musters courage to re-enter the PTA race, confronting her failures and deepest insecurities.

13

Break into Three

Scene 26 / Page 9 / 85% target

89%

Amy decides to give an honest, vulnerable PTA speech as her new strategy to win back community trust and her family.

14

Finale

Scene 27 / Page 9 / 95% target

91%

Amy’s empowering speech inspires other moms to admit imperfections, overturns Gwendolyn, and secures her election—transformation and community restored.

I want our school to be a place where it’s okay to be a bad mom--
15

Final Image

Scene 31 / Page 10 / 99% target

88%

At the school drop-off, Amy is confident and connected—flirting with Jessie and watching Carla bond—showing her fully embraced new identity.