Screenplay data
Struggling puppeteer Craig Schwartz discovers a portal into actor John Malkovich's mind, which he and his wife Lotte exploit for profit, leading to a complex love triangle with coworker Maxine. Craig learns to control Malkovich, using him to pursue Maxine and achieve fame, while Dr. Lester reveals his cult's plan to achieve immortality by inhabiting Malkovich. Lotte, now in love with Maxine, attempts to destroy the portal to free Malkovich from both Craig's control and the cult's influence. Ultimately, Craig is trapped in the mind of Maxine and Malkovich's daughter, while Lotte and Maxine raise their child, who is now inhabited by Malkovich's consciousness, living a normal life.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Craig Schwartz is a struggling puppeteer who discovers a mysterious portal into actor John Malkovich’s mind.
Open full beat sheetCraig Schwartz is listed as Protagonist. 30 years old, small, a struggling puppeteer. In the parsed data, Craig Schwartz is connected to 52 scenes, 92 dialogue lines, 100 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
52 scenes / 92 dialogue linesLotte Schwartz is listed as Craig's wife. 30 years old, works with animals. In the parsed data, Lotte Schwartz is connected to 44 scenes, 74 dialogue lines, 74 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
44 scenes / 74 dialogue linesMaxine is listed as Love interest / Business partner. Late 20s, close-cropped black hair, opaque eyes, trance-like. In the parsed data, Maxine is connected to 34 scenes, 53 dialogue lines, 74 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
34 scenes / 53 dialogue linesJohn Malkovich is listed as Actor. Famous actor whose brain serves as a portal. In the parsed data, John Malkovich is connected to 30 scenes, 37 dialogue lines, 47 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
30 scenes / 37 dialogue linesDr. Lester is listed as Antagonist. 105 years old, giant of an old man, owner of LesterCorp. In the parsed data, Dr. Lester is connected to 22 scenes, 23 dialogue lines, 31 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
22 scenes / 23 dialogue linesElijah is listed as Monkey. Lotte's pet monkey with an ulcer. In the parsed data, Elijah is connected to 10 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 102.
10 scenes / 1 dialogue linesMr. Flemmer is listed as Antagonist. Silver-haired gentleman, associate of Lester. In the parsed data, Mr. Flemmer is connected to 8 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 38.
8 scenes / 5 dialogue linesFloris is listed as Receptionist. Receptionist at LesterCorp with a speech impediment. In the parsed data, Floris is connected to 5 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
5 scenes / 12 dialogue linesDerek Mantini is listed as Puppeteer. Arguably the greatest puppeteer in the history of the world. In the parsed data, Derek Mantini is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 94.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesCraig sits in a bare room reading a repetitive book.
Craig SchwartzCraig wakes up to a rooster; Lotte encourages him to find work.
Craig Schwartz, Lotte SchwartzCraig performs an intricate puppet show.
Craig SchwartzCraig watches TV and finds a job ad.
Craig Schwartz, ElijahCraig arrives at LesterCorp on floor 7 1/2.
Craig SchwartzCraig interviews with Floris.
Craig Schwartz, FlorisCraig interviews with Dr. Lester.
Craig Schwartz, Dr. LesterCraig attends orientation and meets Maxine.
Craig Schwartz, MaxineWendy and Don discuss a small door found in a vacant office, leading to a story about a watchmaker.
Craig Schwartz, Lotte SchwartzFlashback to Mr. White building the tiny store room.
Craig reacts to the film and leaves.
Craig SchwartzCraig enters the portal.
Craig SchwartzCraig crawls through the dark, wet, membranous tunnel.
Craig SchwartzCraig realizes he is inside John Malkovich.
Craig Schwartz, John MalkovichMaxine talks on the phone about the puppeteer.
MaxineMalkovich is in a taxi; Craig is inside his mind.
Craig Schwartz, John MalkovichCraig is ejected from the portal into a ditch.
Craig SchwartzCraig tells Maxine about the portal.
Craig Schwartz, MaxineCraig tells Lotte about the portal.
Craig Schwartz, Lotte SchwartzLotte enters the portal.
Craig Schwartz, Lotte SchwartzLotte experiences being inside Malkovich.
Lotte Schwartz, John MalkovichLotte is ejected from the portal.
Craig Schwartz, Lotte SchwartzLotte insists on going back.
Craig Schwartz, Lotte SchwartzCraig resigns from LesterCorp.
Craig Schwartz, Lotte Schwartz, Dr. LesterLotte finds a shrine to Malkovich.
Lotte SchwartzLotte is disappointed to be herself again.
Lotte SchwartzCraig modifies his puppets.
Craig SchwartzMaxine and Craig prepare the ad; Lotte arrives.
Craig Schwartz, Lotte Schwartz, MaxineMaxine calls Malkovich.
Lotte Schwartz, Maxine, John MalkovichLotte is ejected again.
Craig Schwartz, Lotte SchwartzMaxine meets Malkovich.
Lotte Schwartz, Maxine, John MalkovichCraig and Lotte discuss the meeting.
Craig Schwartz, Lotte SchwartzAwkward dinner with Maxine.
Craig Schwartz, Lotte Schwartz, Maxine, ElijahErroll arrives for the portal.
Craig Schwartz, MaxineErroll is ejected.
Craig SchwartzLine of people waiting for the portal.
Lester confronts Craig.
Craig Schwartz, Maxine, Dr. LesterDisciples of Malkovich pray.
Lotte Schwartz, Dr. LesterLester gives Lotte a gun.
Lotte Schwartz, Dr. LesterCraig and Lotte reconcile.
Craig Schwartz, Lotte SchwartzCraig works on puppets.
Craig SchwartzLotte calls Maxine.
Lotte Schwartz, MaxineLotte drives.
Lotte SchwartzMalkovich arrives at Maxine's.
Maxine, John MalkovichLotte enters the portal.
Lotte SchwartzMaxine and Malkovich are together.
Lotte Schwartz, Maxine, John MalkovichCraig returns to an empty bed.
Craig SchwartzLotte is ejected.
Lotte SchwartzCraig and Lotte talk.
Craig Schwartz, Lotte SchwartzCraig and Maxine talk.
Craig Schwartz, MaxineCraig leaves.
Craig SchwartzLester talks to Lotte on the phone.
Lotte Schwartz, Dr. Lester, FlorisCraig buys a gun.
Craig SchwartzLester and Lotte meet.
Lotte Schwartz, Dr. LesterCraig holds Lotte at gunpoint.
Craig Schwartz, Lotte SchwartzMalkovich rehearses.
Maxine, John MalkovichMaxine and Malkovich are together.
Craig Schwartz, Maxine, John MalkovichCraig prepares.
Craig Schwartz, MaxineCraig feeds animals.
Craig Schwartz, Lotte SchwartzCraig and Maxine discuss their success while Craig prepares for the day.
Craig Schwartz, MaxineCraig confronts Lotte about his new ability to control Malkovich.
Craig Schwartz, Lotte Schwartz, ElijahCraig controls Malkovich during sex with Maxine.
Craig Schwartz, Maxine, John MalkovichCraig is ejected from the portal.
Craig SchwartzMalkovich leaves, panicked by the experience.
Maxine, John MalkovichCraig celebrates his success with Lotte.
Craig Schwartz, Lotte SchwartzMalkovich discusses his experience with Kevin Bacon.
John MalkovichMalkovich follows Maxine.
Maxine, John MalkovichMalkovich discovers the portal business.
Craig Schwartz, Maxine, John MalkovichMalkovich enters his own portal.
Craig Schwartz, Maxine, John MalkovichMalkovich crawls through the tunnel.
John MalkovichMalkovich experiences a surreal world of Malkoviches.
John MalkovichMalkovich is ejected and confronts Craig.
Craig Schwartz, John MalkovichCraig and Lotte argue about their relationship.
Craig Schwartz, Lotte SchwartzElijah's memory of Africa.
ElijahElijah frees Lotte.
Lotte Schwartz, ElijahMaxine visits Malkovich.
Maxine, John MalkovichLotte seeks help from Dr. Lester.
Lotte Schwartz, Dr. LesterLester shows Lotte the indoctrination video.
Lotte Schwartz, Dr. LesterCraig and Maxine plan their future.
Maxine, John MalkovichLotte confesses to the cult.
Lotte Schwartz, Dr. LesterLots of things. He's very well respected. That jewel thief movie, for example. The point is that this is a very odd thing, supernatural, for lack of a better word. It raises all sorts of philosophical questions about the nature of self, about the existence of the soul. Am I me? Is Malkovich Malkovich? Was the Buddha right, is duality an illusion? Do you see what a can of worms this portal is? I don't think I can go on living my life as I have lived it. There's only one thing to do. Let's get married right away.
Well that's perfect. My second choice. Ah, this is wonderful. Too good to be true! You see, I'm a sad man. Sad and fat and alone. Oh, I've tried all the diets, my friends. Lived for a year on nothing but imitation mayonnaise. Did it work? You be the judge. But Malkovich! King of New York! Man about town! Most eligible bachelor! Bon Vivant! The Schopenhauer of the 20th century! Thin man extraordinaire!
The way I see it, the world is divide into those go after what they want and those who don't. The passionate ones, the ones who go after what they want, may not get what they want, but they remain vital, in touch with themselves, and when they lie on their deathbeds, they have few regrets. The ones who don't go after what they want... well, who gives a shit about them anyway?
There are rules, boy, procedures, etiquette. This is not a toy. I've been waiting seventy years to utilize this room, grooming myself, quietly setting the stage, performing ablutions, paying tribute, seeing all his motion pictures again and again. Worshipping, Schwartz, worshipping properly.
How much do we love you? We loved you in 'Making Mr. Right.' That is how much we love you. We even own the director's cut on laser disc. Please accept us into your head as we have accepted you into our hearts. Please let us be you. Amen.
That's right, Wendy, it is against floor policy, but as long as you're here, let me tell you what I know about our cute little door friend. Many years ago, this very office was occupied by a kindly old watchmaker named Mr. White.
They love me, darling! "Craig Schwartz is fantastic!" The New York Times. "If only Craig Schwartz had always been inside Malkovich!" Women's Wear Daily. "Craig Schwartz - The world's greatest puppeteer!" Paul Wunder, WBAI Radio.
They love me, darling! "Craig Schwartz is fantastic!" The New York Times. "If only Craig Schwartz had always been inside Malkovich!" Women's Wear Daily. "Craig Schwartz - The world's greatest puppeteer!" Paul Wunder, WBAI Radio.
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