Screenplay data
Forensic psychologist Helen Hudson, an agoraphobic survivor of a serial killer's attack, is drawn into a new case where a copycat killer mimics famous murderers. As Helen assists Inspectors Halloran and Goetz, the killer, Peter Foley, escalates his spree, resulting in the deaths of Ruben and Helen's assistant, Andy, before faking his own death. Convinced Foley is still alive and responsible for kidnapping M.J., Helen overcomes her agoraphobia to warn the police. Helen confronts Foley in an auditorium where M.J. is held captive, and M.J. shoots Foley, ending his terror and allowing Helen to begin healing.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Helen Hudson is drawn back into investigation when a copycat murderer targets her work.
Open full beat sheetM.J. Halloran is listed as Homicide Inspector. A small, deceptively vulnerable-looking homicide sergeant. In the parsed data, M.J. Halloran is connected to 39 scenes, 49 dialogue lines, 49 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
39 scenes / 49 dialogue linesHelen Hudson is listed as Forensic Psychologist. A brilliant but agoraphobic forensic psychologist suffering from panic syndrome. In the parsed data, Helen Hudson is connected to 32 scenes, 51 dialogue lines, 51 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
32 scenes / 51 dialogue linesThomas Quinn is listed as Chief of Homicide. A splenetic, political Irishman. In the parsed data, Thomas Quinn is connected to 15 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
15 scenes / 13 dialogue linesRuben Goetz is listed as Homicide Detective. M.J.'s partner, good-looking, good-humored, and laid back. In the parsed data, Ruben Goetz is connected to 15 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 19.
15 scenes / 9 dialogue linesAndy is listed as Helen's Assistant. Helen's loyal assistant and friend. In the parsed data, Andy is connected to 13 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 32.
13 scenes / 9 dialogue linesPeter Foley is listed as Serial Killer. A medical technician and serial killer who mimics famous murderers. In the parsed data, Peter Foley is connected to 12 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 58.
12 scenes / 4 dialogue linesNikko is listed as Detective. An intense detective with a complicated history with M.J. In the parsed data, Nikko is connected to 7 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
7 scenes / 9 dialogue linesMeryhew Saks is listed as FBI Agent. A pompous, unctuous FBI Deputy Assistant Director. In the parsed data, Meryhew Saks is connected to 4 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 47.
4 scenes / 5 dialogue linesDaryll Lee Cullum is listed as Convicted Serial Killer. A dangerous serial killer who escaped custody. In the parsed data, Daryll Lee Cullum is connected to 3 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 35.
3 scenes / 12 dialogue linesSusan Schiffer is listed as Reporter. An aggressive bulldog of a reporter. In the parsed data, Susan Schiffer is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 53.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesHelen Hudson gives a lecture on serial killers and spots Daryll Lee Cullum in the audience.
Helen Hudson, Daryll Lee CullumHelen is attacked by the killer in the ladies' room while a cop is murdered.
Helen Hudson, M.J. Halloran, Daryll Lee CullumHelen wakes from a nightmare and interacts with her computer.
Helen Hudson, AndyM.J. and Ruben practice shooting at a range.
M.J. Halloran, Ruben GoetzM.J. and Ruben arrive at a crime scene in Pacific Heights.
M.J. Halloran, Ruben Goetz, Thomas Quinn, Susan SchifferM.J. and Ruben visit Helen to discuss the case.
Helen Hudson, M.J. Halloran, Ruben Goetz, AndyM.J. and Ruben watch a video of Helen Hudson's court testimony while Quinn discusses the case.
M.J. Halloran, Ruben Goetz, Thomas Quinn, Helen HudsonQuinn reprimands M.J. for her tone and discusses the case.
Thomas Quinn, M.J. HalloranAndy comforts Helen after her court appearance and encourages her to help the police.
Helen Hudson, AndyM.J. and Ruben work late; Nikko confronts M.J.
M.J. Halloran, Ruben Goetz, NikkoA young woman is shown gardening, foreshadowing a crime.
Helen analyzes crime scene photos for M.J. and Ruben.
Helen Hudson, M.J. Halloran, Ruben Goetz, AndyQuinn and his team discuss the case and the media.
Thomas Quinn, M.J. Halloran, Ruben GoetzHelen receives a disturbing digital message from the killer.
Helen Hudson, AndyM.J. and Ruben arrive to investigate the message Helen received.
Helen Hudson, M.J. Halloran, Ruben Goetz, AndyQuinn and the team discuss the FBI's involvement.
Thomas Quinn, M.J. Halloran, Ruben GoetzPolice investigate a new crime scene.
M.J. Halloran, Ruben Goetz, Thomas QuinnM.J. and Ruben visit Helen to discuss the new murder.
Helen Hudson, M.J. Halloran, Ruben Goetz, AndyRuben stays to guard Helen; they share a moment.
Helen Hudson, Ruben GoetzPeter Foley interacts with his wife and then goes to his basement.
Peter FoleyPolice investigate a new dump site.
M.J. Halloran, Ruben Goetz, NikkoQuinn confronts Nikko about his obsession with M.J. and his unprofessional behavior, while discussing the potential for a leadership change.
Thomas Quinn, NikkoM.J. examines crime scene photos while the room is being set up for the new task force.
Helen Hudson, M.J. HalloranM.J. and Quinn discuss the case details and M.J.'s decision to consult Helen Hudson.
Helen Hudson, Thomas QuinnM.J. visits Helen to discuss the new case and forces her to reconnect to the internet.
Helen Hudson, AndyHelen and M.J. analyze the killer's pattern and the significance of the name Peter Kurten.
Helen Hudson, M.J. HalloranFlashback/POV of Peter watching students on campus.
Peter FoleyHelen continues her analysis of the killer's psychological state.
Helen HudsonPeter attempts to lure two girls into his car.
Peter FoleyHelen and M.J. discuss the killer's desire for fame.
Helen Hudson, M.J. HalloranWarden Mendoza discusses correspondence with M.J.
M.J. HalloranHelen and Andy work on scanning lists of names.
Helen Hudson, AndyM.J. arrives to discuss the name Peter Kurten with Helen.
Helen Hudson, M.J. HalloranM.J. speaks with Warden Mitchell about Daryll Lee Cullum.
M.J. HalloranHelen interviews Daryll Lee Cullum via phone.
Helen Hudson, M.J. Halloran, Daryll Lee CullumM.J. navigates a chaotic squad room during a raid.
M.J. Halloran, Ruben Goetz, Thomas Quinn, NikkoM.J. interrogates Conrad.
M.J. HalloranPeter waits at the waterfront.
Peter FoleyA suspect takes Ruben hostage, leading to a fatal confrontation.
M.J. Halloran, Ruben Goetz, NikkoM.J. deals with the aftermath of Ruben's death.
M.J. Halloran, NikkoPeter encounters Andy and Hal at a nightclub.
Andy, Peter FoleyM.J. turns in her badge to Quinn.
M.J. Halloran, Thomas QuinnHelen receives a threatening call from Peter.
Helen HudsonM.J. visits Helen after Ruben's death.
Helen Hudson, M.J. HalloranAndy's body is discovered in the water.
AndyHelen reacts to the news of Andy's death.
Helen Hudson, M.J. HalloranM.J. coordinates the search for the killer.
M.J. Halloran, Thomas Quinn, Meryhew SaksPeter escapes the FBI.
Peter FoleyHelen identifies Peter Foley as the killer.
Helen Hudson, AndyThe team prepares to raid Peter Foley's house.
M.J. Halloran, Andy, Thomas Quinn, Meryhew SaksSWAT team surrounds the house.
M.J. Halloran, Thomas QuinnPeter realizes the police are outside, turns off the lights, and prepares a trap.
Peter FoleyHelen watches a news report about Peter's death and does not believe it.
Helen Hudson, Susan Schiffer, Thomas Quinn, Meryhew SaksM.J. returns to the task force room, talks to Nikko, and receives a call from Helen.
M.J. Halloran, Nikko, Helen HudsonM.J. listens to radio news about the Peter Foley case and decides to return to the investigation.
M.J. HalloranM.J. searches for Peter at a party, but realizes the man she followed is not him.
M.J. Halloran, Peter FoleyPeter ambushes M.J. and kidnaps her.
M.J. Halloran, Peter FoleyHelen receives a phone call from Peter.
Helen Hudson, Peter Foley, M.J. HalloranHelen overcomes her agoraphobia and leaves her apartment to confront Peter.
Helen HudsonHelen arrives at the auditorium and confronts Saks.
Helen Hudson, Meryhew SaksHelen enters the auditorium and finds M.J. held captive by Peter.
Helen Hudson, M.J. Halloran, Peter FoleyHelen and Peter confront each other on stage before M.J. shoots Peter.
Helen Hudson, Peter Foley, M.J. HalloranAftermath of the shooting; M.J. and Helen leave.
M.J. Halloran, Helen Hudson, Thomas QuinnListen, you want my advice? Steer clear. He's writing me he's gonna finish 'my unfinished symphony.' He's gonna give me $550 for some of my cum, he says he's in a position to see that I will be immortal if he has some of my spunk. I'm offended. Right away I smell freak. Writin' about him and me and you bein' joined and he's gonna finish my symphony? I didn't care for his drift. I sent some liquid soap in a sandwich baggie with a message from Jesus to mend his ways. You hear I found Jesus? And what's funny is, now I don't mind bein' inside. If I was out, even Born Again, I'd probably get restless again. It's maybe better I stay here, what do you think?
Susan, the San Francisco Police Department, assisted by the FBI, developed evidence that the serial killer, referred to as the Copycat killer was an individual who resided at this address. Upon being asked to step out of the house to be interviewed, the suspect set fire to the house possibly to destroy evidence of his wife's murder. We found her dead of gunshot wounds in an upstairs bedroom. He himself died in the fire.
I am not going to talk about it. How do you know it was Andy if the head was gone? Where is the head? Are you looking for it? Oh, God, why him? Because of me. I can't talk about it. I write about things like this, stuff it all in books and bury it in libraries. This is the first person close to me who's ever died. And it's because of me. This monster killed him because I loved him.
...then he gave me a popper and I started to feel really wild... all over the dance floor. Then suddenly I was just s o stoned. And sick? I had to race for the john... horribly sick. Over and over and over. I was in there a very long time. And when I came out they were gone. So was my jacket which I'd tossed to Hal when I was dancing. Hal was my... Could I have a glass of water?
Christ. I didn't lock the fucking drawer! You spend twenty years thinking some perp's gonna whack you... you'll crash your car... but what happens is, you fuck yourself... You can't imagine how many times I saw you two... your head together, I wish him dead. Every time... Want to hear something weird? I feel like I'd give my life to bring him back.
'...great dark hall of fame... all our greatest killers...' His greatest heroes? He wants to be famous. When they're caught and people like me write about them, we give them a kind of immortality. They get thousands of letters. Ramirez kills eight women and gets a hundred marriage proposals a month. They're like film stars.
But the relief he feels is only temporary. '...Before your conscience bothers you much less...' But the tension always comes back. 'You can join the ranks of the illustrious...' He wants to be like them. The best. To become the best. But, he has his own desires, his own compulsions apart from theirs.' His own horrors...
Alert Campus Security on college campuses, all of them. They should warn all female students with long straight dark hair parted exactly in the middle -- I'm serious! -- to avoid any strange male contacts and report any man with an apparent handicap who tries to get them to carry groceries or books, or push his car...
SlugDB turns parsed screenplays into scene, character, dialogue, trivia, semantic search, Save the Cat, and API-ready analysis.
Use SlugDB when you need screenplay API data, movie dialogue search, character evidence, scene context, or MCP tools without building a scraper first.