2003
Jessica Martin, kidnapped with her son, makes a desperate call to stranger Ryan Ackerman, who becomes entangled in a city-wide chase to save her family and expose a corrupt police unit. Ryan follows Jessica's instructions, acquiring resources and narrowly missing the kidnappers, while learning her husband, Craig, possesses a disc with evidence against the corrupt officers, led by Greer. Despite Ryan's efforts, Craig is captured and shot, but he manages to give Ryan the disc containing footage of Greer's crimes, while Officer Mooney, realizing the corruption, begins his own investigation. Ryan exposes Greer and his team at the Santa Monica Pier, leading to their arrest and a subsequent news report detailing the scandal, as Jessica, Ricky, and Ryan recover in the hospital, ending with a mysterious phone call.
Save the Cat beat sheet
A mild‐mannered security guard, Ryan, receives a desperate call from kidnapped Jessica Martin and races through Los Angeles using only his cell phone to help rescue her and her son.
Open full beat sheetRyan Ackerman is listed as Protagonist. Early twenties, bar-back, surfer, accidental hero. In the parsed data, Ryan Ackerman is connected to 62 scenes, 104 dialogue lines, 104 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
62 scenes / 104 dialogue linesJessica Martin is listed as Victim. Obstetrician, mother of Ricky, kidnapped by corrupt police officers. In the parsed data, Jessica Martin is connected to 44 scenes, 68 dialogue lines, 70 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
44 scenes / 68 dialogue linesGreer is listed as Antagonist. Corrupt police officer, leader of the kidnapping crew. In the parsed data, Greer is connected to 44 scenes, 14 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
44 scenes / 14 dialogue linesBob Mooney is listed as Supporting. Tough, fifty-something beat cop, skeptical but eventually helpful. In the parsed data, Bob Mooney is connected to 14 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
14 scenes / 4 dialogue linesCraig Martin is listed as Supporting. Jessica's husband, accountant, target of the kidnappers. In the parsed data, Craig Martin is connected to 12 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 26.
12 scenes / 4 dialogue linesRicky Martin is listed as Supporting. Jessica and Craig's eight-year-old son. In the parsed data, Ricky Martin is connected to 12 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
12 scenes / 3 dialogue linesBayback is listed as Antagonist. Corrupt police officer, posing as Jessica. In the parsed data, Bayback is connected to 12 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 48.
12 scenes / 2 dialogue linesJack Tomlin is listed as Antagonist. Corrupt detective, working with Greer. In the parsed data, Jack Tomlin is connected to 10 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 73.
10 scenes / 1 dialogue linesChloe is listed as Supporting. Ryan's love interest, involved in 'Heal The Bay' rally. In the parsed data, Chloe is connected to 3 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 120.
3 scenes / 4 dialogue linesChad is listed as Supporting. Ryan's best friend. In the parsed data, Chad is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 3.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesJessica Martin is kidnapped by five masked gunmen in her home.
Jessica Martin, Greer, BaybackJessica is held captive in an attic and attempts to repair a broken phone.
Jessica Martin, GreerRyan plays an arcade game while his friend Chad films him.
Ryan Ackerman, ChadRyan meets Chloe and agrees to run an errand for her.
Ryan Ackerman, Chad, ChloeRyan drives to pick up the T-shirts and receives a mysterious call.
Ryan Ackerman, Jessica MartinMooney deals with the chaos of the police station.
Bob Mooney, Jack TomlinRyan arrives at the police station to report the kidnapping.
Ryan Ackerman, Bob Mooney, Jessica MartinThe kidnappers return to threaten Jessica.
Jessica Martin, GreerRyan tries to get help while Jessica panics about her son being kidnapped.
Jessica Martin, Ryan AckermanRyan drives away in a Ford Bronco.
Ryan AckermanGreer orders his crew to kidnap the boy.
GreerRyan is driving and talking to Jessica.
Jessica Martin, Ryan AckermanRyan crashes through a construction barrier.
Ryan AckermanRyan arrives at the school to find Ricky.
Jessica Martin, Ryan Ackerman, Ricky MartinRyan chases the kidnappers.
Jessica Martin, Ryan AckermanThe kidnappers have Ricky.
Ricky MartinRyan is blocked by a bus.
Jessica Martin, Ryan AckermanRyan drives through the dealership.
Ryan AckermanThe kidnappers check if they are being followed.
Ricky MartinRyan loses the kidnappers.
Jessica Martin, Ryan AckermanMooney talks to Tomlin.
Bob Mooney, Jack TomlinRyan's phone battery is dying.
Jessica Martin, Ryan AckermanRyan tries to get help at the store.
Ryan AckermanRyan tries to get a phone charger from a busy store but is ignored, leading him to destroy a smiley face dispenser with a gun.
Ryan AckermanMooney finds the note with Jessica's address and decides to investigate.
Bob MooneyAn answering machine plays a message from Craig to Jessica.
Craig Martin, BaybackRyan gets his phone charging and talks to Jessica.
Ryan Ackerman, Jessica MartinGreer enters the attic and threatens Jessica.
Jessica Martin, GreerRyan hears the threat over the phone.
Ryan AckermanGreer pressures Jessica to reveal where Craig is while Hodges threatens Ricky.
Jessica Martin, Greer, Ricky MartinRyan listens to the confrontation.
Ryan AckermanJessica reveals the location to save Ricky.
Jessica Martin, Greer, Ricky MartinRyan is shocked by Jessica's admission.
Ryan AckermanJessica pleads for her son's life.
Jessica Martin, GreerHodges leads Ricky away.
Ricky MartinGreer shows Jessica a police scanner.
Jessica Martin, GreerRyan listens to the scanner threat.
Ryan AckermanGreer hears noise from the phone.
Jessica Martin, GreerRyan realizes he needs to mute the phone.
Ryan AckermanGreer shoots the wall.
Jessica Martin, GreerRyan mutes the phone.
Ryan AckermanGreer leaves the attic.
Jessica Martin, GreerRyan sighs with relief.
Ryan AckermanGreer tells his team to move.
GreerJessica reconnects with Ryan.
Jessica Martin, Ryan AckermanRyan and Jessica discuss the plan.
Ryan Ackerman, Jessica MartinMooney visits the house and is fooled by Bayback.
Bob Mooney, BaybackBayback talks to Tomlin.
Bayback, Jack TomlinRyan drives to the airport.
Ryan Ackerman, Jessica MartinRyan encounters Simon Cowell.
Ryan AckermanSimon Cowell is on the phone.
Ryan confronts Simon Cowell.
Ryan AckermanThe rent-a-cop car is destroyed.
Ryan AckermanRyan takes the Cadillac.
Ryan Ackerman, Jessica MartinRyan arrives at the airport.
Ryan AckermanRyan sees Jessica's Escalade.
Ryan Ackerman, Jessica MartinThe kidnappers enter the airport.
GreerRyan follows Greer.
Ryan Ackerman, GreerRyan attempts to frame Greer by planting a gun on him at the security checkpoint, causing a security lockdown.
Ryan Ackerman, Greer, BaybackRyan searches for Craig Martin while the terminal is being cleared.
Ryan Ackerman, Jessica Martin, Craig MartinGreer and Ellis are cleared by security after proving they are police officers.
Greer, BaybackRyan rescues Craig and hides him in a restroom.
Ryan Ackerman, Craig MartinRyan connects Craig with Jessica via phone.
Ryan Ackerman, Jessica Martin, Craig MartinGreer and Ellis search for Craig.
Greer, BaybackRyan realizes he has rescued the wrong man.
Ryan Ackerman, Craig Martin, Greer, BaybackGreer abducts the real Craig Martin.
Greer, Bayback, Craig MartinCraig is forced into the kidnappers' vehicle.
Greer, Bayback, Craig MartinMooney realizes the kidnapping case is linked to Ryan.
Bob MooneyCraig is reunited with Jessica in captivity.
Craig Martin, Jessica Martin, GreerRyan learns the location of the disc.
Ryan Ackerman, Craig Martin, Jessica MartinJessica secretly warns Craig about the phone line.
Jessica Martin, Craig Martin, GreerRyan confronts the kidnappers to save Craig.
Ryan Ackerman, Craig Martin, GreerRyan and Craig are trapped in a stairwell by Greer and security guards; Craig is shot and gives Ryan the DVD.
Ryan Ackerman, Craig Martin, Greer, Jack TomlinRyan flees up the stairwell while being pursued by security and Greer.
Ryan AckermanHodges and Greer coordinate the pursuit of Ryan.
GreerRyan uses a fire alarm to distract his pursuers.
Ryan AckermanGreer and Hodges continue their pursuit.
GreerRyan hides on the roof while Greer and Hodges search for him.
Ryan Ackerman, GreerGreer and Hodges search the roof for Ryan.
GreerRyan hides in the chute while Jessica calls him.
Ryan Ackerman, Jessica MartinJessica? Damn, where are you? I called earlier and... Jess, I'm in serious trouble. I can't explain right now, but we're all in danger. Please, just grab Ricky and meet me in left field.
This is great, the police think I'm a whack job. The school thinks I'm some kind of perv child molester. I'll probably get the Herpes from the gym teacher's whistle --
Pretend I'm telling you that I love you. There's an open phone line in here. You'll have help at the office, but if you give these men what they want, we're dead.
I told you, kid, she had a doctor's appointment, so your mother asked us to pick you up. Don't worry, you'll see your mommy in a few minutes.
Tell me where Jessica Martin is or you bleed to death right here.
Stop! Johnny, goddamn it, stop! STOP! IF YOU LOSE ME, I'M DEAD!!
What--? No. He's an accountant. I make more money than he does.
Goddamn it, that little kid was just kidnapped!! Do something!!
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