Save the Cat rankings

DETROIT ROCK CITY script analysis

DETROIT ROCK CITY script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

A group of high-school rockers led by Jam embark on a madcap quest to see KISS in Detroit after Jam’s overprotective mother burns their concert tickets. Along the way they break Jam out of boarding school, hit the road with a new ally, face setbacks and betrayals, and find themselves tested both as friends and young lovers. Ultimately they reclaim their passion, confront personal demons, and earn their place at the show.

85 Save the Cat fit score 72% analysis confidence / 56 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

70%

Introduces Jam’s mother despising KISS and setting the comedic tone.

KISS! The devil's music!
2

Theme Stated

Scene 8 / Page 1 / 5% target

68%

Beth hints at young love when she nervously tries to confess feelings to Jam.

I wanted to tell you something... I...
3

Set-Up

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

75%

We meet the band, their KISS obsession, Jam’s home life, and the missing tickets dilemma.

Just listen up, man, cause we are in a quandary.
4

Catalyst

Scene 9 / Page 2 / 12% target

80%

Jam’s mother publicly burns the KISS tickets, triggering the quest.

I made an appointment with Father Phillip McNulty at St. Bernard's. We're to see him directly where he...
5

Debate

Scenes 13-14 / Pages 2-3 / 20% target

70%

The boys debate how to rescue Jam and get new tickets via a radio contest.

6

Break into Two

Scene 16 / Page 3 / 25% target

78%

They infiltrate Father McNulty’s office disguised as a pizza delivery to free Jam.

Please don't become difficult this early in your stay.
7

B Story

Scene 8 / Page 1 / 30% target

68%

Jam and Beth’s awkward school encounter plants the seeds of their romance subplot.

I wanted to tell you something... I...
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 18-23 / Pages 3-4 / 40% target

73%

The road-trip antics include stakeout, pizza run, harassing Trans Am, picking up Christine, and getting high.

Jeezis, Hawk, can you at least keep it within twenty miles of the speed limit?
9

Midpoint

Scene 27 / Page 5 / 50% target

75%

Arriving at Cobo Hall in sunset traffic raises stakes: they’re close yet still ticketless.

Man, that weed knocked Christine on her ass. She's sleeping like a baby stella.
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 31 / Page 5 / 65% target

77%

They discover the Volvo is stolen, forcing them to split up and scramble again.

Now there's a woman who totally abuses the privilege of motherhood.
11

All Is Lost

Scene 54 / Page 8 / 75% target

79%

After reuniting, they find tickets only to have Elvis steal them at the strip club.

Well, dudes, the only way we're gonna see KISS this tour is by some fuckin' miracle.
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 49 / Page 7 / 80% target

76%

Jam and Beth share a heartfelt goodbye, raising doubt if they’ll ever reunite or make the show.

Ann Arbor isn't... that far from Cleveland, right?
13

Break into Three

Scene 53 / Page 8 / 85% target

81%

Jam confronts his mother to reclaim his drumsticks, symbolically taking back his destiny.

I'm gonna ask you nicely first. Mom, can I have my drumsticks back?
14

Finale

Scenes 55-56 / Pages 8-9 / 95% target

80%

They bluff their way into the concert as muggers, reunite on stage, and Jam helps Peter Criss.

Dude, you gotta let us in! Four muggers just stole our tickets!
15

Final Image

Scene 56 / Page 9 / 99% target

82%

The friends watch KISS perform, completing their journey from ticketless outsiders to part of the show.