Save the Cat rankings

Despicable Me script analysis

Despicable Me script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Supervillain Gru hatches a grand plan to steal the moon but finds his life upended when he reluctantly adopts three orphan girls. As he juggles world domination and unexpected fatherhood, he learns about love and priorities. In the end, Gru redeems himself by risking his heist to be there for the girls' dance recital.

75 Save the Cat fit score 30% analysis confidence / 76 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

25%

Introduces the absurd theft of the Great Pyramid, setting the tone for Gru’s over–the–top villainy.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 4 / 5% target

35%

When the orphan girls first encounter Gru, his rejection hints at his closed‐off heart that must later open.

Go away. I’m not home.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 5-7 / 10% target

40%

We see Gru’s ambition to steal the moon and his high‐tech lab life, and meet his minions and first conflicts.

Next, we are going to steal-- pause for effect-- the moon!
4

Catalyst

Scene 6 / 12% target

40%

The Bank of Evil denies Gru funding without a shrink ray, forcing him to pursue a new target.

so all I need is money from the bank to build a rocket, and then the moon...is ours.
5

Debate

Scenes 12-14 / 20% target

30%

Gru struggles with unexpected family duties—cookie sales and dance recitals—debating his priorities between villainy and care.

6

Break into Two

Scene 15 / 25% target

35%

Gru commits to the heist by infiltrating Vector’s fortress to steal the shrink ray.

Ah girls, welcome back to the Fortress of Vectortude. Do you have my cookies for me?
7

B Story

Scenes 17-19 / 30% target

30%

The B story begins as Gru bonds with the girls at Super Silly Fun Land, planting seeds of his softening heart.

8

Fun and Games

Scenes 20-30 / 40% target

25%

Montage of Gru planning the moon heist, fundraising, building a rocket, and dismissing the dance, showcasing villainous antics and family clashes.

9

Midpoint

Scenes 38-44 / 50% target

40%

Gru successfully shrinks the moon—the false triumph—only to feel empty and realize something’s missing.

Ha! I’ve got it! I’ve got the moon! I’ve got the moon!
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 45-53 / 65% target

30%

Consequences mount: the moon’s absence causes global chaos, and Gru struggles re-entry as minions panic.

11

All Is Lost

Scenes 57-60 / 75% target

35%

Gru arrives too late for the dance recital; he’s failed both as a villain and a dad.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scenes 61-63 / 80% target

30%

Captured girls and mocked by Vector, Gru hits bottom emotionally and morally.

13

Break into Three

Scenes 67-69 / 85% target

40%

Gru rescues the girls from Vector’s escape pod, combining villainy skills with newfound heroism.

Okay, girls, girls! You’re going to have to jump!
14

Finale

Scenes 71-73 / 95% target

35%

Gru sacrifices the moon heist to save the girls and restore the moon, achieving true redemption.

15

Final Image

Scene 76 / 99% target

40%

Gru watches his daughters dance in his lab, fully transformed from villain to loving father.

Oh, I’m so proud of you, son. You’ve turned out to be a great parent -- just like...