Save the Cat rankings

Don't Look Up script analysis

Don't Look Up script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Two astronomers discover an extinction-level comet and struggle to convince an indifferent government and public to act before it’s too late. As political and corporate interests sow doubt and exploit the crisis, the scientists face personal and professional ruin. Ultimately, the mission to deflect the comet fails, and the heroes must confront the end of their world.

70 Save the Cat fit score 30% analysis confidence / 48 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

40%

Sets the tone with Mindy’s team at the telescope and Kate’s unexpected arrival.

Knock... knock...knock...knock... knock... knock.
2

Theme Stated

Scene 3 / Page 3 / 5% target

30%

A throwaway remark about ‘time to go back to sleep’ hints at humanity’s refusal to face hard truths.

Alright everyone... Time to go back to sleep.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 1-4 / Pages 1-4 / 10% target

40%

Introduces scientists, comet discovery and the looming threat.

4

Catalyst

Scene 3 / Page 3 / 12% target

50%

The team calculates the comet is an extinction-level threat.

5

Debate

Scenes 5-6 / Pages 5-6 / 20% target

40%

Randall and Kate plead their case to the President, who refuses to act.

If there’s two things voters hate it’s math and bad news. This is both.
6

Break into Two

Scene 7 / Page 7 / 25% target

30%

A journalist hands Isherwell a photo of the comet, pushing the story public.

7

B Story

Scene 14 / Page 14 / 30% target

30%

Introduces Randall’s flirtation with Brie and the emerging romantic subplot.

8

Fun and Games

Scene 11 / Page 11 / 40% target

40%

The duo appears on The Daily Rip, showcasing public outreach and media push.

Maybe it’s supposed to be incredibly terrifying... and upsetting...and maybe we’re supposed to stay up all night every...
9

Midpoint

Scene 37 / Page 37 / 50% target

40%

A mass rally turns chaotic as the comet appears in the sky, raising stakes.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 17 / Page 17 / 65% target

40%

Corporate motives are exposed, revealing BASH’s mineral exploitation agenda.

They found out there’s a bunch of gold and diamonds and other rare shit in the comet and...
11

All Is Lost

Scene 36 / Page 36 / 75% target

50%

News breaks that the Russian deflection mission failed, signalling doom.

Orlean and BASH cut Russia, India, and China out of the rights for the minerals. So they tried...
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 38 / Page 38 / 80% target

30%

The heroes drive home on an empty highway, grappling with inevitable destruction.

13

Break into Three

Scene 44 / Page 44 / 85% target

40%

Orlean offers Randall a spot on an escape ship, forcing his final choice.

There’s a ship. In case we were wrong. And clearly we were wrong. It holds 600. It has...
14

Finale

Scenes 46-48 / Pages 46-48 / 95% target

40%

Shows the comet’s impact, the survivors’ departure, and the new world 22,740 years later.

15

Final Image

Scene 48 / Page 48 / 99% target

40%

Jason Orlean emerges from Earth’s rubble, bookending with human persistence.